Guidance

Teacher reference number (TRN)

Find out what a teacher reference number (TRN) is and how to find or request a TRN.

• From: Department for Education
• Published: 21 December 2020
• Last updated: 25 October 2023 — See all updates

Applies to England

A teacher reference number (TRN) is a 7-digit number that uniquely identifies you in the education sector in England.

You’ll have a TRN if you:

• hold qualified teacher status (QTS) in England or Wales
• hold early years teacher status (EYTS) in England
• hold a national professional qualification (NPQ)
• are working towards QTS, EYTS or an NPQ
• contribute to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme in England or Wales
• have a relevant restriction in relation to teaching in England

You only have one TRN and it stays with you throughout your career.

What you’ll need a TRN for

Your TRN will be needed to:

• access your teaching qualifications to check they are accurate and download professional certificates
• contact Teachers’ Pensions
• give to employers so they can complete mandatory teacher status checks
• start early career teacher training
• register for a national professional qualification (NPQ)

Your TRN is personal to you. Only disclose your TRN to your employer or a person acting in an official capacity.

If you’ve never received a TRN

Most people eligible for a TRN are given one automatically.

However, you may not have one but need to request one to:

• register for an NPQ (for example, if you’re an early years professional you may not have a TRN)
• be a mentor for a trainee teacher or early career teacher

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How to find your TRN

If you’ve forgotten your TRN, you can:

• check your payslip or pension statement

• use the Find a lost TRN service to check if you have a TRN or to find your TRN

Request a TRN

If you’re registering for an NPQ

You can find or request your TRN when you register for an NPQ.

You’ll need your National Insurance number (if you have one) and proof of your identity, for example a:

• passport
• driving licence
• birth certificate
• UK work permit

If you’re a mentor for a trainee or early career teacher

You’ll need to send a secure email to the Department for Education (DfE) using the email platform Galaxkey.

You must include your:

• full legal name, and any previous names if applicable
• date of birth
• National Insurance number, if you have one
• address, if you live outside of the UK
• proof of identity – attach a photo or scanned copy of either your:
  • passport
  • driving licence
  • birth certificate
  • UK work permit

Create a Galaxkey email account (to open in a new tab right click the link) and use it to send your email securely to QTS[email protected].

You must use an email account that you’ll not lose access to, such as a personal email address. Add ‘Request TRN’ as the subject of your email.

Never include all your personal details and proof of identity unless you’re sending a secure email to DfE via Galaxkey.

DfE will respond by email with your TRN within 5 working days. Check for replies from DfE, including your spam folder, as we may need to ask you for more details before allocating you a TRN.

Get help

If you have any problems requesting a TRN, email DfE at QTS[email protected].

Published 21 December 2020
Last updated 25 October 2023 + show all updates

1. 25 October 2023

   Details about how to request a teacher reference number have been added.

2. 4 May 2022

   New find a lost TRN service added.

3. 21 December 2020

   First published.