How to Register as a Teacher with TSC and Get a TSC Number

Updated 21 October 2026

No one can legally teach in a Kenyan school, public or private, without being registered by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). Registration gives you a TSC number and a certificate of registration, and you need both before TSC can employ you or before most private schools will hire you. With TSC expecting a new recruitment drive from November 2026, newly trained teachers who are not yet registered should apply now. This guide explains who must register, the documents to prepare, the fee, the online steps and what happens after you submit.

TSC Registration at a Glance

Who Must Register

Every qualified teacher who wants to teach in any public or private institution in Kenya must be registered. That covers primary, junior school and senior school teachers, whether you plan to work for TSC, a private school or a faith based institution. TSC publishes the names of registered teachers every year. Being registered does not mean TSC has employed you. Employment comes later, through advertised recruitment. Registration is the step that makes you eligible.

Foreign teachers use a separate non-citizen registration route and must attach a letter of clearance from the Ministry of Education vetting committee, along with valid entry and work permits.

Documents to Scan Before You Start

TSC asks applicants to scan and upload the following. Only scan original documents, not photocopies.

1. Academic and professional certificates, including your KCSE certificate and your teacher training certificate, diploma or degree with transcripts.
2. National ID card, both sides.
3. Proof of payment. TSC’s list still mentions a bank slip, but since 1 July 2023 the fee is paid within the application through government payment methods.
4. One passport size photograph.
5. KRA PIN certificate. If you do not have one, see how to get a KRA PIN.
6. GP69 form, the government medical examination form, completed and signed by a medical practitioner.
7. Certificate of good conduct from the DCI, applied for through eCitizen. create an eCitizen account first if you have not already.
8. Entry and work permits, for non-Kenyans only.

Upload limits on government portals are tight, and a phone scan of a multi page transcript can easily be too big. Our free TSC document compressor and good conduct certificate compressor reduce file sizes in your browser, so nothing is uploaded to us.

How to Register Step by Step

1. Open the portal. Type tsconline.tsc.go.ke into your browser and choose New Teacher Registration for citizens.
2. Read the notes. The first page sets out the rules: complete every section, attach only required documents and pay before submitting.
3. Fill in Section A. Enter your personal details and email address, and answer whether you are a trained teacher.
4. Complete the remaining pages. Work through each page of the form, which collects your qualifications and other details. TSC notes that the form can be saved and finished later if you need to gather a document.
5. Attach your documents. Upload each scan in the right field and check every file opens.
6. Pay the fee. Pay the KSh1,050 through the eCitizen payment step that the form generates. Keep the confirmation message.
7. Submit and save your reference. Print or screenshot the confirmation page.

Be Truthful on the Form

The portal warns that giving false information to TSC is a serious offence. Under Section 44 of the TSC Act, a person convicted can be fined up to KSh100,000, jailed for 12 months, or both. Forged or borrowed certificates are also routinely picked up during vetting and later during recruitment document checks.

After You Apply

TSC vets the documents and, if you qualify, issues a certificate of registration bearing your TSC number. TSC says this happens within 30 days. You can follow up through the Registration Status option on TSC Online Services. If your application is held up, the most common reasons are missing or unreadable documents, a mismatch between the name on your ID and on your certificates, and an incomplete payment. Call or email the registration office with your ID number and application details if 30 days pass without a decision.

Lost Your Certificate of Registration?

Apply for a duplicate through the Application for Duplicate Certificate of Registration option on the same portal. The fee is KSh2,050, paid during the process through eCitizen methods. You keep the same TSC number.

What to Do Once You Have a TSC Number

• Update your teacher profile so your contacts and qualifications are current.
• Watch for adverts. Our TSC recruitment guide for November 2026 lists what to prepare for the expected November exercise.
• Learn the other TSC systems you will use once employed, from TPAD to payslips, on our TSC teachers hub.
• While you wait for a TSC posting, private school and NGO teaching jobs are listed on JobinKenya.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is TSC registration?

KSh1,050 for a new registration and KSh2,050 for a duplicate certificate. Both are non-refundable.

How long does it take to get a TSC number?

TSC says a teacher who meets the requirements is issued a certificate with a TSC number within 30 days.

Can I register before I graduate?

Your academic and professional certificates are among the required uploads, so apply once you have your teaching qualification in hand.

Is a TSC number the same as being employed by TSC?

No. Registration makes you eligible to teach. Employment by TSC happens through separate advertised recruitment.

Who do I contact about a delayed registration?

The TSC registration office on 020 289 2351 or teacherregistration@tsc.go.ke.