Professional Certification

Application Pathways:

• Approved Teacher Prep Program – Certificate Progression
  • This pathway is for individuals who hold a valid New York State Initial certificate, and completed a NYS Registered Teacher Education Program leading to Professional certification. 
  • You have been recommended for Professional certification by the college – Program Codes
• Certificate Progression
  • This pathway is for individuals who hold a valid New York State Initial certificate. They may progress to the Professional  certificate by meeting the requirements for that certificate.
  • Individual Evaluation (transcript evaluation) you have not been recommended for Professional certification for this certificate – Application Instructions

Three (3) Years Teaching Experience

Applicants for professional certification can count teaching experience in public and private schools, part-time or full time, per diem and long-term substitute teaching, and in-state or out-of-state teaching. See NYSED’s guidance at https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/exp/home.html. Individuals self-report their work experience on the TEACH system and must also have their employing districts submit NYSED’s Experience Verification form. Experience as a teaching assistant does not fulfill this requirement.

• Add Employment Experience into TEACH System
• Paid Experience Verification Form for Employers

Successful Completion of a Master’s Degree

The professional certification requirement is satisfied, if an individual:

• successfully completes a graduate teacher education program from an accredited college in New York State or another jurisdiction that qualifies the individual for a new or additional certificate (in NYS or in another jurisdiction);
• holds a master’s degree accepted previously to satisfy requirements for a NYS permanent or professional certificate; successfully completes a master’s or higher degree program in the content core of the initial certificate or in a related content area; or
• successfully completes a master’s or higher degree program in any field, provided that the individual has completed at least 12 semester hours of graduate study in the content core of the initial certificate or in a related content area.
• Chart of Related Master’s Degrees

Mentored Teaching Experience

To obtain a professional certificate, an individual employed in a public school district must receive mentoring. Individuals who have had at least two years of teaching prior to service in a public (or private) school under an initial certificate are exempt from this requirement. Public school employers report the mentored experience for the certificate holders they employee using the TEACH online system.

United States Citizenship, USCIS Permanent Residency, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or similar relief from deportation is required for Professional or Permanent certification.