I started teaching in the sector before Sept 2001
If you first taught in the sector before 1 September 2001 you were not required to hold any teaching qualification, although you may already do so. You are not required by the Sept 2007 Regulations to gain any additional qualifications or to become a Licensed Practitioner. However you may wish to have your experience recognised through the GPRLS Scheme.

I started teaching in the sector between Sept 2001 and Aug 2007
If you first taught in the sector during this period and you were full time you would have been required to gain a level 4 teaching qualification (with level 4 here referring to the old National Qualifications Framework). Examples of a level 4 teaching qualification include the Cert Ed and completion of all 3 stages of the C&G 7407. However you may hold a different legacy qualification. (See Tariff of Legacy Qualifications.)
If you first taught in the sector during this period and you were part time you would have been required to complete the first stage of the level 4 qualification.

Skills for Life teachers would also have been required to gain the level 4 subject specialist certificate in Literacy, Numeracy or ESOL. As a SfL teacher, if you completed both certificates, you will have achieved qualified status. You are therefore not required by the Sept 2007 Regulations to gain any additional qualifications or to become a Licensed Practitioner. However you may wish to gain licensed practitioner status as recognition of your qualifications and experience.

If you were only partially qualified when the Sept 2007 Regulations came in. You are required to complete your qualifications in line with the new regulations. (GPRLS may be one route by which you can achieve this.) For partially qualified teachers it may be useful to refer to the ‘Tariff of Legacy Qualifications’ to determine what remains to be achieved for your situation. Also read the LLUK factsheet available on this page under 'I am part qualified - What do I do?'

I started/will start teaching in the sector from Sept 2007 onwards
You will be required to become a Qualified Teacher by first completing the Preparing to Teach in the Learning and Skills Sector (PTLLS) award and then by completing either the Certificate or Diploma (depending on your ‘Teaching Role’). You then need to undergo professional formation in order to become a Licensed Practitioner.

More detailed information about 'Qualified Status' can be found on both the LLUK and IfL websites. Find them under 'Useful Websites' listed under Information in the menu bar above.