The Teacher Certification Office serves students that are currently enrolled in or have previously completed a New York State Registered Educator Preparation Program at Queens College.
Fall 2025 Graduates
Apply for graduation by November 1, 2025
Submit a College Recommendation Request from November 15 through December 15, 2025
Child Abuse and Neglect Identification Workshop (Second Update)
Updated September 1, 2025
- TEACH Account
- Certification Exams
- Fingerprint Clearance for Certification
- “On Track for Certification” Letter
- Out of State Verification of Program Completion
All candidates for certification must have an account on the New York State Education Department TEACH Online Services system → www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/
Your name and identifying information (SSN, DOB) must be an exact match on all accounts and documents (TEACH Online, CUNYFirst, Exams, Workshops).
- About the Certification Exams
- What exams do I need to take?
- Exam Preparation
- Register for Exams
- Alternative Testing Arrangements
- Scores
- Retake Policy
- FAQ
- Contact NYSTCE
Find the specific exam requirements for your certificate: Search Certification Requirements
Exam Scores and your TEACH Account
In order for exam scores to appear properly in your TEACH account, all account information in your NYSTCE (Pearson) account must match exactly what is listed in your TEACH account (full name, Social Security number, date of birth). The name listed in both accounts must contain the same exact information (e.g., – middle initial, hyphenated names must be the same, last name, no nicknames, etc).
First, you must login to both accounts and make sure that all information matches exactly. If your accounts don’t match, you must change your NYSTCE (Pearson) account to match what is listed in your TEACH account. This should solve the problem. Exam scores are continuously transmitted between the NYSTCE system and the TEACH system.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your information matches across both accounts, to make sure that the exam result(s) are transmitted properly. If you have any questions about how to get your scores transmitted to your TEACH account, you can contact NYSTCE (Pearson) at: (800) 989-8532.
If you see one of the following statements on your TEACH account, We have received your fingerprint information from NYC OR Your DCJS and FBI results have been received, you have fingerprint clearance, no further action is required.
More information: nysed.gov/educator-integrity/fingerprinting
“On Track for Certification” Letter Eligibility Requirements:
- You must have applied for graduation on CUNYFirst.
- You must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing. Candidates who have already had their degree or advanced certificate awarded are NOT eligible.
- You must have completed the required NYS workshops:
- Child Abuse Identification & Reporting (Second Update)
- School Violence Prevention & Intervention (SAVE)
- DASA Training (Dignity for All Students Act)
To request an “On Track for Certification” letter click here.
Program verification forms can be emailed to tcert@qc.cuny.edu.
- Please fill out the candidate information portion of the form.
- Include your CUNY ID number or last 4 digits of your social security number in the email.
- If you have had a name change be sure to include the name used on your Queens College records.
- If you graduated prior to 2005 please attach a copy of your transcript.
- Indicate who the form should be emailed to.
Please Note:
Certification requirements are subject to change at any time by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Because state requirements may change, it is the teacher candidate’s responsibility to stay up to date on all requirements necessary for certification, including information for workshops, exams, fingerprint clearance, and certificate applications. Education majors should consult with the appropriate program coordinator/faculty advisor for information on their program and course requirements. Questions about college/institutional recommendation can be emailed to the Teacher Certification Office at tcert@qc.cuny.edu. The certification information provided by the QC Teacher Certification Office is meant to serve as a starting point and a guide for basic certification requirements. Students are strongly encouraged to do their own research while carefully taking into account their individual circumstances and specific requirements for certification. The New York State Education Department Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI) is the official body for interpreting New York State certification regulations and making determinations for individual applicants. Visit the Office of Teaching Initiatives website regularly for updates and information.
New York State Education Department
- The Queens College Teacher Certification Office does not provide guidance on coursework, programs, or individual pathway applications.
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If you have not enrolled in or completed an educator preparation program at Queens College and are seeking information on certification, please contact the NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives: highered.nysed.gov/tcert.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I be recommended for certification?
The college cannot recommend students for certification until the Graduation Audit Unit (Registrar) completes its final degree audit and the degree or advanced certificate conferral is awarded on your transcript. You must also have completed the NYS mandated workshops. For more information click here: qc.cuny.edu/academics/se/college-recommendation
When should I apply for graduation?
All students must apply for graduation on CUNYfirst (this includes students completing Advanced Certificate programs).
You can apply for graduation through your CUNYfirst Student Center for the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.
Graduation Application Deadlines:
- Fall Graduation – November 1st
- Spring Graduation – March 1st
- Summer Graduation – July 1st
Do I need to apply for certification?
Yes. You must enter an application for certification on the NYSED TEACH Online Services system.
Which application pathway is right for me?
Which Pathway is right for me? highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/rightpathway
Approved Teacher Preparation Program (After 05/01/2014)
This pathway refers to programs specifically designed and registered with the New York State Education Department to qualify students for New York State teacher, pupil personnel, or administrative certification. A listing of these approved programs is available through the Inventory of Registered Programs. Candidates applying under this pathway are recommended by their college or university for a certificate in the subject area(s) of the registered program. Specified non-coursework requirements, such as the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations and fingerprint clearance, must also be satisfied.
Approved Teacher Prep Program – Certificate Progression
This pathway is for individuals who hold a valid New York State entry-level certificate (such as an Initial or Provisional certificate), and completed a NYS Registered Teacher Education Program. They may progress to the advanced-level credential (such as a Professional or Permanent certificate) by meeting the requirements for that certificate.
Approved Teacher Prep Program – Additional Certificate
This pathway is for individuals who already hold a valid New York State classroom teaching certificate and are completing a registered program. Candidates applying under this pathway are recommended by their college or university for a certificate in the subject area(s) of the registered program. Specified non-coursework requirements, such as the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations, must also be satisfied.
Individual Evaluation Pathways (Transcript Evaluation)
*Select Option B – “No, I have not completed, nor am I enrolled in, an Approved Teacher Preparation Program at a New York State College or University for this certificate and this type”
Individual Evaluation
The individual evaluation pathway is for candidates who have not completed an approved teacher preparation program or whose application is not based on a valid teaching certificate from another state or US territory. This pathway is also for candidates applying for teaching assistant or coaching credentials or adult education certificates. Candidates must submit original credentials for evaluation by the Office. Candidates must also meet any non-coursework requirements, such as the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations and fingerprint clearance, as specified.
Certificate Progression
This pathway is for individuals who hold a valid New York State entry-level certificate (such as an Initial or Provisional certificate). They may progress to the advanced-level credential (such as a Professional or Permanent certificate) by meeting the requirements for that certificate.
Additional Classroom Teaching Certificate – Must hold a valid certificate
This pathway is for individuals who already hold a valid New York State classroom teaching certificate. (Please Note: Intern Certificate, Temporary License, or Modified Temporary License do not qualify as valid teaching certificates for this pathway). They may obtain an additional certificate by meeting Content Core requirements in the new title and passing the Content Specialty Test in that subject. Additional pedagogical coursework may be required, depending on the certificates already held. If your first certificate was issued as a result of the completion of an approved program or a professional license, original official transcripts of all completed coursework from all colleges attended are required. Note: this pathway does not apply to holders of Career and Technical certificates or the Speech and Language Disabilities certificate, when based on a speech language pathology license.
Can I apply for an additional certificate without completing a program?
Yes. The NYSED allows already certified individuals to apply for most additional areas of certification (or extensions) on their own through the Additional Classroom Teaching Certificate Pathway (Must hold a valid certificate) or the Individual Evaluation Pathway.
To apply for additional areas log-in to the TEACH Online system, apply for the additional certificate (or extension) following the instructions on the website.
When prompted for a program code, you DO NOT enter a program code, instead select: “(B) No, I have not completed, nor am I enrolled in, an Approved Teacher Preparation Program at a New York State College or University for this certificate and this type.”
On the Interstate Reciprocity screen, select “No, I am not eligible to apply through the Interstate Reciprocity Pathway”. Then select the Individual Evaluation for an Additional Classroom Teaching Certificate Pathway or Individual Evaluation Pathway.”
You will then have to submit your official transcripts (and/or other documentation) and wait for them to be reviewed.
*When your transcript(s) are first received your application will be listed as Ready for Review. Ready for Review means just that – your application hasn’t been reviewed by an evaluator at the NYSED yet. The system defaults to “deficient” or “unmet” for some requirements until the application is evaluated, it more accurately should state “not yet reviewed” next to those requirements. The evaluation will change once your application is reviewed.
- Search Certification Requirements
- How to Apply
- Certification from Start to Finish
- Which Pathway is right for me?
- Individual Evaluation
- Submitting Documents
- Coursework to Satisfy Unmet Requirements
- Check Status of Application
As you would be applying directly to the New York State Education Department, please contact them with any questions you may have: Contact Information
As a matter of policy Queens College does not evaluate transcripts for individuals applying through an Individual Evaluation Pathway. Any evaluation completed other than by the NYSED would be unofficial and possibly inaccurate.
Where can I order my QC transcript?
To order official transcripts from Queens College click here: parchment.com/u/registration/34237/institution
How do I advance to the professional certificate?
For information on advancing to the professional certificate please click the following link: Advancing from the Initial Certificate to the Professional Certificate
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 will receive a college recommendation for the professional certificate in the same area as the initial certificate.)
- Program Codes
Certificate Progression (Individual Evaluation)
- 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. (You will not receive a college recommendation for the professional certificate in same area as the initial certificate.)
- Do NOT Enter a Program Code
- When filling out the application select option B – “No, I have not completed, nor am I enrolled in, an Approved Teacher Preparation Program at a New York State College or University for this certificate and this type.”
How do I advance to a permanent/professional PPS certificate?
For information on advancing to a permanent Pupil Personnel Services certificate, please click the following link: Advancing from the Provisional Certificate to the Permanent Certificate
For information on PPS experience requirements, please click the following link: Pupil Personnel Service Permanent Certificate or School Counselor Professional Certificate Experience Requirement
How do I apply for reissuance of an expired certificate?
Initial certificates for classroom teachers, school building leaders, and school counselors are valid for five years. Beginning August 2, 2023, these educators who hold an expired or expiring Initial certificate, and have not met the requirements for the Professional certificate, may apply for up to two reissuances of their Initial certificate if they meet the eligibility requirements. Each Initial Reissuance is valid for five years from the effective date of the reissuance.
Provisional certificates for educators in the pupil personnel service (e.g., school counselor, school psychologist) are valid for five years. Beginning August 2, 2023, these educators who hold an expired or expiring Provisional certificate, and have not met the requirements for the Permanent certificate, may apply for up to two renewals of their Provisional certificate if they meet the eligibility requirements. Each Provisional Renewal is valid for five years from the effective date of the renewal.
Beginning August 2, 2023, individuals who hold an Internship, Residency, or applicable Transitional certificate may receive (only) one Time Extension if they meet the required conditions. The Time Extension is valid for three years from the expiration date of the certificate.
Please note that the Time Extension is no longer available for individuals who hold an Initial certificate or Provisional certificate. Instead, these individuals should review the new options and requirements for the Initial Reissuance and Provisional Renewal, respectively.
Where can I apply for teaching positions?
Please click the following link for information: qc.cuny.edu/academics/se/job-resources
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