NYS Teaching Certification
According to the Commissioner’s regulations, if your certification lapses, the district is not allowed to continue your employment, regardless of whether you have tenure or not. PLEASE pay careful attention to your certification requirements and deadlines. There is very little the union can do to help if your certification expires and you have not completed the requirements!
If you are not already registered on TEACH, we strongly suggest you do that immediately. It is easy to do, and it allows you instant access to your certification information, including certification exams you have taken and the scores you received. The address for this website is http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach. You can also update your address on TEACH, and ensuring that State Ed has your current address (for all members) is one of the certification requirements.
Certification Types
Certificates are issued in a number of titles in three major categories: classroom teaching, administrative and supervisory, and pupil personnel service (i.e. school counselor, psychologist, social worker).
Prior to February 2004, Classroom Teaching and Administrative and Supervisory certificate titles were either provisional (entry level) or permanent (final). In February 2004, the provisional/permanent certificates were replaced by Initial certificates (entry level) and Professional certificates (final). The Pupil Personnel Service certificate titles remain provisional and permanent.
Requirements for those who have PERMANENT CERTIFICATION:
As of July 1, 2016, all permanently and professionally certified teachers working in a NYS public school or BOCES are required to register with the State Education Department using the TEACH online system. Each registration cycle is a five-year period.
If you are not registered, you should log on to TEACH and do so immediately. If you are unsure, you can log in to TEACH and choose View Registration Status. It will tell you if you are registered and when you will need to register again. There is no cost to register.
Requirements for those who have INITIAL CERTIFICATION:
Holders of initial teaching certificates are expected to progress to the professional teaching certificate within the stated five year period. The requirements vary based on the certificate title you hold, and they are different than the requirements for teachers holding provisional certification. The websites listed at the bottom of this e-mail will allow you to search for specific requirements if you are not sure. Most certificate holders are required to complete three years of teacher experience, including one year mentored, and a master’s degree.
If you are counting on receiving an extension from the State because you will not complete your requirements in time, please be aware that the conditions for an extension are very specific. You cannot apply for an extension until you are within seven months of your certificate expiring, and at that point, if your request is denied, it may be too late for you to complete the requirements in time. A non-refundable fee of $50 is also required for the request. Reasons for granting an extension include active military service, being laid off from a teaching position, or a leave of absence from your teaching position because of a serious illness. Extensions will not be granted because of routine family or financial commitments, or failure to pass a certification exam.
Requirements for those who have PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION:
As of July 1, 2016, all permanently and professionally certified teachers working in a NYS public school or BOCES are required to register with the State Education Department using the TEACH online system. Each registration cycle is a five-year period.
Professionally certified teachers are required to complete 100 Continuing Teacher & Leader Education (CTLE) hours during each five-year registration cycle. At least 15 of those hours must be in areas that specifically address the needs of ELLs. At least 50 of those hours must be in areas that address the needs of ELLs if you are a professionally certified ESOL teacher. For more information about the 100-hour requirement, check out the attached document.
Requirements for those who have PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATION:
Holders of provisional certificates are expected to progress to the permanent certificate within the stated five year period. The requirements vary based on the certificate title you hold. The websites listed at the bottom of this e-mail will allow you to search for specific requirements if you are not sure. Most certificate holders are required to complete two years of full-time experience and a master’s degree.
USEFUL WEBSITES:
NYSUT’s Guide to Teacher Certification:
https://www.nysut.org/resources/all-listing/filtered-resources/topic/certification-state?topic=New+York+State+Certification
New York State Education Department Certification Info:
http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/home.html
Certification Reminders:
Questions about moving from initial to professional certification? Changing assignments? Sign up for a certification webinar Aug. 9 or Aug 11 with NYSUT’s experts. See link: https://www.nysut.org/resources/special-resources-sites/certification/webinars