FAQ: CTLAL
Browse answers to frequently asked questions on CTLAL.
General
What is the CTLAL course?
The Certificate of Teaching and Learning for Adjunct Lecturers course is a 36 hours course offered by JP-AcE on behalf of Polytechnic sector to Polytechnic ALs. The course comprises two components: CTLAL Teaching Practices (18 hours) and CTLAL Adult Learning (18 hours). Completion of the CTLAL course qualifies Polytechnic ALs for registration in the National Adult Educator Registry (NAER).
Do all Adjunct Lecturers (AL) need to attend full 36 hours of CTLAL course?
a) ALs teaching Pre-Employment Training (PET)courses need to complete the 18 hours of CTLAL Teaching Practices.
b) ALs teaching Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses need to complete 36 hours of CTLAL course, which comprise CTLAL Teaching Practices (18 hours) and CTLAL Adult Learning (18 hours)
Do Polytechnic ALs have to pay for attending CTLAL course?
Currently, polytechnic ALs do not have to pay for CTLAL course.
Exemptions
Are former full-time polytechnic staff, now serving as ALs, exempted from the CTLAL programme for NAER registration if they have completed a pre-CTLPE course?
Yes. ALs who have completed pre-Certificate in Teaching and Learning for Polytechnic Educators (pre-CTLPE) course from any polytechnic will be exempted.
Are polytechnic ALs, who have completed a pre-CTLAL programme at a polytechnic exempted from the CTLAL programme to register for NAER?
Exemption is subject to the mapping of the pre-CTLAL programme against the current 36-hr CTLAL course. Based on the extent of alignment, ALs may be exempted from 18-hr CTLAL Teaching Practices, 18-hr CTLAL Adult Learning, or both.
Are Polytechnic ALs who were exempted from the 16-hour CTLAL course prior to April 2026 required to take any additional courses to be eligible for NAER registration?
Such ALs will remain exempted from CTLAL (Essentials – 16 hours) but will be required to complete CTLAL (Adult Learning – 20 hours) in order to be eligible for NAER registration, unless they possess other NAER-recognised qualifications (e.g. ACTA, ACLP, AITP).
Are Polytechnic ALs with education-related qualifications, other than those listed in Q3, exempted from the CTLAL for NAER registration?
Polytechnic ALs who hold education-related qualifications—such as the NIE-NYP Specialist Diploma in Teaching & Learning (HE), a Master’s in Education, or a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from a recognised university—may be considered for exemption. Exemptions will depend on the mapping of these qualifications against the 36-hour CTLAL course and may be fully or partially exempted or not exempted.
Can polytechnic ALs with substantial and relevant teaching experience qualify for NAER without taking CTLAL?
Polytechnic ALs with substantial and relevant teaching experience who choose not to take up the CTLAL course, will be required to undergo a skills-badging assessment for application of NAER.
Renewal of NAER Membership
How often do ALs need to renew their NAER membership and what are the renewal requirements?
The membership is to be renewed every two years. During this two-year period, ALs needs to clock at least 80 practice hours, and a minimum of 40 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) hours. The 40 CPD hours must be adult-learning related CPDs which are whitelisted and at least 10 hours of these must be from IAL.
Is there a fee for renewal of NAER membership?
Yes. The renewal fee will be $240 (which is SkillsFuture claimable) if the renewal is completed before the current membership cycle expires. If the renewal documents are submitted within one month after the membership cycle has ended, an additional fee of $50 (i.e. $240 + $50) will be payable. Details of the renewal fees can be found in https://www.ial.edu.sg/training-and-adult-educator-professional-pathway/ (opens in new tab)