Professional status recognises that an individual teacher has gone beyond initial qualification, to draw together their subject expertise with the skills and knowledge acquired through teacher training and embedding these in their day-to-day practice. Teachers with professional status know that their learning continues after initial teacher training ends. They commit to lifelong professional development so that their skills remain up-to-date and responsive to the changing needs of learners.

In aspiring to QTLS or ATLS status, a teacher makes a statement about how they view their professionalism.

This is relevant to:
* Teachers who qualified post-September 2007 must achieve QTLS or ATLS status within five years of their first employment in the sector
* Teachers who qualified pre-September 2007 are not required to achieve QTLS/ATLS status, however they can choose to, as a demonstration of their commitment to professionalism.