Home / THE GREEN CERT, EXPLAINED
GREEN CERT IRELAND · QQI LEVEL 5 + 6
What the Green Cert actually is — and whether you need it
Plain answers for anyone who’s just been told “you’ll need the Green Cert” by an accountant, a solicitor, or the kitchen table.
THE SHORT VERSION
Two QQI awards, one qualification
“Green Cert” is the everyday name for completing both of these nationally recognised QQI awards:
Level 5 Certificate in Agriculture (5M20454) — 120 credits of foundation: livestock, crops, soils, safety, business and a work placement.
Level 6 Certificate in Farming (6S20487) — 50 credits of management: business planning, performance measurement, sustainability and a second placement.
Together they make you a “qualified farmer” in the sense used by farm succession schemes, tax reliefs and young-farmer supports. Whoever delivers the training, the awards come from the same national body: QQI.
DO YOU NEED IT?
You probably need the Green Cert if…
A farm transfer or succession plan is on the table — especially if you’re under 35 (stamp duty exemption) or under 40 (young-farmer TAMS rate).
You’re applying for TAMS, the Young Farmer Scheme or National Reserve supports that require a recognised agricultural qualification.
You want a herd number and enterprise of your own with the credibility to match — with the bank, the co-op and the department.
You’re entering farming from another career and need a structured, recognised route in.
Scheme rules change. Before you spend a euro, book a free consultation and we’ll check the current Revenue and DAFM requirements against your situation.
YOUR OPTIONS
The routes compared, honestly
We’re not the cheapest route and we won’t pretend to be. Here’s the landscape as we understand it — verify current details with each provider.
| Route | Format | Typical duration | Published fee* | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Teagasc part-time |
Regional classroom + distance elements |
2–2.5 years |
€1,950 |
Strongest brand; slower; fixed timetables; demand can mean waiting. |
|
Teagasc distance (for prior award holders) |
Distance education |
~2 years |
€3,250 |
For those already holding non-ag major awards. |
|
Mayo College of FET |
Evening classes; in-person Saturdays for assessments (Westport) |
~12 months |
€1,990 |
Low price; assessment location-bound in the west. |
|
Farm Ed (private) |
Wed evenings + Saturdays, Cahir, Co. Tipperary |
~9 months |
€4,985 |
Fast and practical; premium price; Tipperary-based. |
|
Green Cert Ireland |
Blended: live online evenings + midlands farm hubs |
9 months |
€3,990† |
Built for working adults: predictable weekly rhythm, assessment supports, hubs across the midlands. |
Route: Teagasc part-time
Format: Regional classroom + distance elements
Typical duration: 2–2.5 years
Published fee*: €1,950
Worth knowing: Strongest brand; slower; fixed timetables; demand can mean waiting.
Route: Teagasc distance (for prior award holders)
Format: Distance education
Typical duration: ~2 years
Published fee*: €3,250
Worth knowing: For those already holding non-ag major awards.
Route: Mayo College of FET
Format: Evening classes; in-person Saturdays for assessments (Westport)
Typical duration: ~12 months
Published fee*: €1,990
Worth knowing: Low price; assessment location-bound in the west.
Route: Farm Ed (private)
Format: Wed evenings + Saturdays, Cahir, Co. Tipperary
Typical duration: ~9 months
Published fee*: €4,985
Worth knowing: Fast and practical; premium price; Tipperary-based.
Route: Green Cert Ireland
Format: Blended: live online evenings + midlands farm hubs
Typical duration: 9 months
Published fee*: €3,990†
Worth knowing: Built for working adults: predictable weekly rhythm, assessment supports, hubs across the midlands.
*Fees as published at time of research; each provider sets and changes its own. †2026/27 fee, confirmed at application.
HOW OUR ROUTE WORKS
Nine months, built around a working life
01
Level 5 first
Foundation modules, electives for your enterprise, farm days and your first 150-hour placement. Details
02
Straight into Level 6
Management modules and the second placement — with your seat reserved so there’s no drop-off between awards. Details
03
Certified
QQI certification windows run six times a year. Then the supports, schemes and the transfer can move. What it unlocks
NEXT
See Level 5 — where everyone starts
STILL NOT SURE?
Ask us the question you'd ask at the mart.
Free consultation, straight answers. If the Green Cert isn’t what you need, we’ll tell you what is.