Permanent teaching license in Thailand is given by the TCT – Teachers council of Thailand also called Khrusapha in Thai. The minimum education required to be eligible for the application is a bachelors degree in Education or a bachelors in any subject and a post graduate qualification in education. A new requirement is for teachers to pass a professional standards test. Teachers who have a recognized post graduate degree/diploma in education will be eligible to register for this test. Detailed information about this test is still not widely available, at least not yet in English. The school administration should be able to help teachers. The info below is from the Khrusapha site.
Is that Diploma in teaching/education from a university in the Philippines good?
This is a tricky question and I will say it is good enough if it is a graduate diploma or a masters degree (check with TCT). There is a business that operates out of Bangkok and is probably associated with some universities in the Philippines that offer Diploma in teaching/education as well as other degrees including Masters in education and so on. The qualifications acquired must be recognized by Thai authorities like office of civil service commission or similar accrediting authorities. Official transcripts must be sent in sealed envelops or a letter from the institution confirming the applicant has indeed graduated.
Many teachers have got a license after they got their graduate degree or graduate diploma in teaching / education from universities in Philippines. The tricky part is selecting the right degree/diploma. So make sure you have enrolled in a graduate program of at least 12 month duration. To be safe just do a MA in Education or M.ed. Note: TEFL is not a requirement and has never been one, don’t fall for that scam! It is good to attend TEFL courses to learn how to teach but they are not a requirement and they are not considered equal to any degree in education.
Application forms for Teaching license can be downloaded from TCT
Thai Teaching license info and forms are here
Download the info from the links above and fill in the Form KS.01 and the Evaluation form
How to get a professional experience evaluation ?
Professional experience evaluation is a required document while applying for the 5 year license. It is done by an evaluator group in your school. This group must have 3-5 members and must include administrator, Teachers or supervisors. This form must be signed by them. The evaluator group must be certified professional teachers who have valid licenses themselves. A copy of evaluator’s teaching licenses must be attached to the form.
What if you have a teaching license from another country?
A copy of your teaching license from another country can be attached with the application. It can help with your application. Qualified teachers with experience may find the process easy if they meet all the requirements and submit all the required documents. The school you work at should be able to prepare all the documents for you. My experience with government schools in Thailand tell me to just ask the school and they should take it from there.
What happens if your teaching license application is rejected?
In some cases, the TCT may ask for clarifications on any information or certificates submitted. They usually give ample time to get the issue resolved. Some teachers I know were asked to prove that their diploma is at a graduate level. Others were asked to get an official letter from their university confirming their graduation. Unless there is a strong reason for rejection, I don’t see why they would not give a teaching license. In one case, They asked a foreign teacher I knew, to submit a record of attendance (obviously, they did not believe the claims of that teacher who happened to be from the UK!). I suggest applicants to be honest and disciplined about timelines.
If your teaching license is refused and there isn’t much you can do about it, then find work in language schools or universities. An unlicensed teacher cannot teach in any government school. This is serious stuff so plan and prepare well in advance. Start studying form a masters degree in education before your third waiver expires and you should be in time to apply for a teaching license.
Is the professional standards test for teaching license in Thai?
The test is conducted in both Thai and English. Study material can be obtained from the area education office (consult your school). It has a significant portion on Thai standards, education related policies and laws. It requires a good study before you decide to take the test.