Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
A TSC number is the starting point of any teaching career in Kenya. Without it you cannot be employed by the Teachers Service Commission, and by law you should not be teaching in a private school either. This guide explains who needs to register, what you need to prepare and how the process works.
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Who must register?
The Teachers Service Commission Act, 2012 says a person shall not engage in teaching service unless they are registered as a teacher by the Commission. This covers teachers in public schools and in private schools. If you have completed a recognised teacher training course, whether a diploma or a degree in education, you should apply for registration once you have your certificates.
What you need before you apply
Requirements are set by the TSC and can change, so always confirm the current list on the official website, tsc.go.ke. Applicants are generally asked for:
- Your national ID card
- Your KCSE certificate (or equivalent) and professional teaching certificates or transcripts
- A valid certificate of good conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations
- A KRA PIN
- A recent passport-size photograph
- The registration fee, paid through the method the TSC specifies
Scan each document clearly in colour before you start. Blurred or cropped scans are one of the most common reasons applications are sent back.
How the application works
Registration is done online through the TSC portal. In outline, you create an account, fill in your personal details, enter your academic and professional qualifications, upload the scanned documents, pay the fee and submit. The Commission then verifies your qualifications. Once approved, you are issued with a TSC number and a certificate of registration.
Keep your login details and the payment confirmation safe. You will use the same portal later for other services such as checking your status.
Common mistakes that cause delays
- Names that do not match. The name on your ID, KCSE certificate and college certificate should be the same. If they differ, prepare supporting documents such as a sworn affidavit before you apply.
- An expired good conduct certificate. Apply for a fresh one if yours is old.
- Unrecognised courses. Make sure your college and course are recognised for teacher registration before you enrol. Our guide to teacher training college entry requirements explains what to look for.
- Teaching subjects that do not match. Your registered teaching subjects come from your training, so check them carefully.
What happens after you get your TSC number
With a TSC number you can apply for the internship programme and permanent recruitment when the Commission advertises. Read our guides to the TSC internship and TSC recruitment in 2026. Many newly registered teachers also start in private schools, which gives valuable classroom experience; you can browse openings on our teacher jobs board.
Once employed, you will also be expected to keep growing professionally. See our explainers on TPAD appraisal and Teacher Professional Development.
A note for school owners
If you run a private school, check the TSC number of every teacher you employ and keep a copy in their staff file. It protects learners and protects your school during inspections. A simple staff records system, such as Anademy’s staff and HR tools, makes it easy to see at a glance which teachers have complete documents.
Quick summary
Train at a recognised institution, gather clear scans of your documents, apply on the TSC portal, pay the fee and wait for verification. Check the official TSC website for current requirements and fees before you begin, since these are set by the Commission and may be revised.