Applying for a suitability test as a lateral entry teacher
Do you want to become a teacher but do you have a different profession? Or do you want to switch from secondary education to primary education? If so, you can obtain your qualification as a zij-instromer by following a lateral entry programme. To see if you are suitable for this, you must take a suitability test.
Last updated on 1 September 2025
Applying for a suitability assessment
The school where you want to work will usually request a suitability test for you. You can take the test at a teacher training college or university. You can also apply for the suitability test there for yourself.
General requirements for lateral entry teachers
To enter the teaching profession from another profession, you must meet the requirements for lateral entry teachers. A completed higher professional education programme is a prerequisite.
Another prerequisite is that you must take a suitability test. During this test, you will be required among others to complete a practical assignment. The test must demonstrate:
- that you are competent to teach in the classroom immediately;
- that you are capable of obtaining a teaching qualification within two years.
Different requirements for lateral entry teachers with vocational profiles in secondary education
Do you want to teach in secondary education with vocational profiles in:
- construction, housing and interior design;
- manufacturing, installation and energy;
- mobility and transport;
- hospitality, bakery and recreation.
Then different requirements apply to you for participation in the lateral entry programme. You must then have:
- a diploma from a vocational training programme, middle management training programme or specialist training programme;
- higher education or equivalent ability;
- sufficient social and professional experience for teaching;
- a Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag, VOG (Certificate of Conduct).
Certificate of suitability if you are suitable
If you are suitable, you will be given a certificate of suitability. You will then be allowed to teach and attend a training programme at the same time.
Laws and regulations (in Dutch)
Wet op het primair onderwijs, artikel 172
Wet voortgezet onderwijs 2020, artikel 7.27
Wet educatie en beroepsonderwijs, artikel 4.2.4
Wet op de expertisecentra, artikel 152
Besluit zij-instroom leraren primair en voortgezet onderwijs, paragraaf 2 (geschiktheidsonderzoek)