Officials plan to overhaul the local teacher registration regime by requiring them to renew practicing certificates every three years.

Currently, teachers are registered for life once education officials approve their application.

In documents submitted to the Legislative Council on Friday, the Education Bureau said it wants to implement the changes to strengthen the professionalism of teachers, encourage them to keep up with the times and enhance management.

The bureau noted that its records showed that among some 160,000 registered teachers, only around 70,000 are actually teaching.

Officials proposed that when teachers re-apply for the certificates in future, they must be employed by a school and have completed 150 hours of continuing professional development training in three years.

The government also proposed that applicants must declare any criminal conviction during the period.

"[The applicant would also have to] declare whether they are willing to uphold the professionalism of teachers, abide by the laws and comply with relevant statutes, including the Constitution, the Basic Law and the National Security Law," the bureau said.

Fresh university graduates would be considered to have fulfilled the requirement regarding training hours.

The bureau went on to say it plans to table the legal changes to the legislature in the second half of this year.