Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the new
Teaching Certification Regulations

 Who Needs to be Certified?

Classroom teachers, administrative and supervisory personnel and pupil personnel service professionals are required to hold a Certificate issued by New York State in order to be employed in the State's public schools.  Certificates are issued in a wide variety of titles in each of these three major categories.  Also, Teaching Assistants must be certified now.   In addition, New York State also requires that Coaches, Visiting Lecturers and teachers of Adult, Community and Continuing Education obtain a Special License.

What are the Types of Certificates?

The type of certificate issued to you depends upon your educational background and experience.  Examples include Initial certificate, Professional certificate and Teaching Assistant Level III certificate.

What are the Requirements to become Certified?

The requirements for certification fall into the following general categories:
Academic preparation - degree/coursework, student teaching
Assessment - selected tests in the New York State Teacher Certification Examination program series
Experience - teaching/other work experience
Additional requirements - Child Abuse Identification workshop, School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SAVE) workshop, moral character requirement and fingerprinting.

Must I wait until I have completed all requirements for a certificate before applying for an individual evaluation?

No.  As long as you hold the minimum degree (usually a bachelor's degree, with a minimum 2.5 GPA) required for a certificate, you may submit an application at any time.  Indeed, in order to receive a written evaluation of your status for certificate you must file such an application.

Is there more than one way to become certified?

There are a number of pathways to obtaining your New York certification:
College teacher preparation program
Alternative teacher preparation program
Individual Evaluation
Interstate Reciprocity
National Board Certification

I am changing careers.  Is there an easier way for me to get certified?

You may be interested in an alternative teacher certification program specifically designed for career changers.   While you must meet all coursework and other requirements, these programs offer a time-shortened, intensive preparation program operated cooperatively by a college and school district.  Alternative programs also allow you to be employed as a teacher while in the program.