Apply for a national professional qualification (NPQ)
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-07)

Steps to start an NPQ or the early headship coaching offer.

1. Choose an NPQ

Find out about the different NPQ courses (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-professional-qualification-npq-courses) and the early headship coaching offer (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/early-headship-coaching-offer).

If you’re employed, talk to your employer. You may need their approval to take an NPQ. They may be able to help you choose a course that’s suitable for you and your workplace.

Some courses have specific eligibility requirements, so check you’re eligible before you register.

2. Check if you can get funding

Teachers and schools leaders in many state-funded settings in England will be eligible for funding (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-national-professional-qualifications-npqs) to cover their NPQ course fees, subject to eligibility criteria.

Eligibility for funding does not guarantee a place on a funded NPQ course.

3. Find an NPQ course provider

If you’re employed, ask your workplace if they already work with a particular course provider.

You can also contact providers directly. Select your course to find out which providers offer the NPQ:
- leading teacher development (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/leading-teacher-development-national-professional-qualification#providers)
- leading teaching (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/leading-teaching-national-professional-qualification#providers)
- leading behaviour and culture (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/leading-behaviour-and-culture-national-professional-qualification#providers)
- leading literacy (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/leading-literacy-national-professional-qualification#providers)
- leading primary mathematics (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/leading-primary-mathematics-national-professional-qualification#providers)
- special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/special-educational-needs-co-ordinators-national-professional-qualification#providers)
- senior leadership (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/senior-leadership-national-professional-qualification#providers)
- headship (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/headship-national-professional-qualification#providers)
- executive leadership (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/executive-leadership-national-professional-qualification#providers)
- early years leadership (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/early-years-leadership-national-professional-qualification#providers)
- early headship coaching offer (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/early-headship-coaching-offer#providers)
Alternatively, find your local teaching school hub (https://find-a-teaching-school-hub.education.gov.uk/) and ask them who provides your chosen NPQ in your area.

Most providers operate throughout England, but your NPQ will include some face-to-face sessions that you need to attend in person.

4. Register with the Department for Education (DfE)

You need to register with DfE (https://register-national-professional-qualifications.education.gov.uk/) for your NPQ or early headship coaching offer, even if you’re not eligible for scholarship funding.

This is so that DfE can keep your professional record up to date, check and allocate NPQ funding (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-national-professional-qualifications-npqs) and issue NPQ certificates.

5. Apply through your provider

As well as registering with DfE (https://register-national-professional-qualifications.education.gov.uk/), you need to apply directly to your provider.

Your provider will send you an application form by email once you’ve registered with DfE. They will assess your suitability for the course. If your application is successful, they will confirm how your course will be funded.

6. Start your NPQ

Once you’ve applied, your provider will confirm whether you have a place on the course and will give you the start date if you’ve been accepted.

If you pass your NPQ, you can access your teaching qualifications (https://access-your-teaching-qualifications.education.gov.uk/qualifications/start) to get your certificate.