Teacher Certification
The Teacher Certification Office serves students that are currently enrolled in or have previously completed a NYS Registered Educator Preparation Program at Queens College.
Contact
The best way to contact our office is by emailing tcert@qc.cuny.edu.
Please include your CUNY ID# in all emails.
Phone: 718-997-5547
When leaving a voicemail message please include your full name, CUNY ID#, and an email address.
Office Hours
Online Contact Hours:
Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm
Walk-in Office Hours:
Powdermaker Hall, Room 100
Monday – Thursday, 12pm-4pm
Friday by appointment.
Please email tcert@qc.cuny.edu to confirm in-person availability.
The office is closed weekends and holidays.
Closed: Friday, March 29, 2024
Staff
Announcements
Spring 2024 Graduates
- Submit a College Recommendation Request by May 20
Summer 2024 Graduates
- Apply for graduation by July 1
Requirements for Certification
TEACH Account
Workshops Required for NYS Certification
Individuals must complete the following three workshops for educator certification in New York State.
- Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
- Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)
- School Violence Prevention and Intervention
The following must also be completed by individuals who pursue the following special education certificates: Students With Disabilities (SWD), and Speech and Language Disabilities.
For more information on workshops please click here
New York State Teacher Certification Exams
- NYSTCE Home
- 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
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.
Fingerprint Clearance for Certification
Please check your NYSED TEACH Account to verify that you have fingerprint clearance.
Go to TEACH Home → Account Information → Fingerprinting
If you have one of the following statements on your TEACH Account:
- “We have received your fingerprint information from NYC”
- “Your DCJS and FBI results have been received”
You have fingerprint clearance, no further action is required.
If you see the statement below you do NOT have fingerprint clearance:
“Teach does not have your fingerprint information. If you have been fingerprinted by NYCDOE, contact NYCDOE HR Connect for more information at 1-718-935-4000. For all others, please contact MorphoTrust/IDEMIA at: http://www.identogo.com or by phone at 1-877-472-6915.”
If you were fingerprinted by the NYC DOE for student teaching you will need to submit an OSPRA 104 Form.
See FAQ below for instructions on how to submit the OSPRA 104 form.
Applying for Certification
Certification Application Information
Application Pathways
Approved Teacher Preparation Program 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 preapproved programs is available through our 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.
Certificate Types
Classroom Teacher
Pupil Personnel Service
- Provisional Certificate (School Psychology)
- Permanent Certificate (School Psychology)
- Initial Certificate (School Counseling)
- Professional Certificate (School Counseling)
School Administrator and Supervisor
- Initial Certificate (SBL)
- Professional Certificate (SBL & SDL)
Extension
Reissuance & Time Extension
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.
"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 awarded are NOT eligible.)
To request an “On Track for Certification” letter click here. (Sign-in to Office 365 with your CUNY Credentials)
Out of State Program Verification
- To have a Program Verification Form filled out email it to tcert@qc.cuny.edu.
- Please fill out the candidate information portion of the form.
- Provide any relevant information including your CUNY ID# in the email.
- If you have had a name change, be sure to include the name used on your Queens College records.
Certification Checklist
Initial Certificate Requirements
- SUPPORT / FAQ
- How do I submit an OSPRA 104 form?
- What exams do I need to take?
- When should I apply for graduation?
- When will I be recommended for certification?
- Do I need to apply for NYS certification?
- How can I check the status of my certificate application?
- How do I apply for an additional certificate without completing a program?
- How do I order my QC transcript?
QC Teacher Certification Office
NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives
What is an OSPRA 104 form?
The OSPRA 104 Form is to be filed by individuals who have been previously fingerprinted (after July 1, 1990) for a license and/or employment by the New York City Public Schools (NYC Public Schools) and are authorizing the NYC Public Schools to forward their criminal history to the New York State Education Department for certification application and/or employment purposes.
How do I submit the OSPRA 104 form?
- Obtain the OSPRA 104 form. This is also available via the NYS Education Department website: http://www.nysed.gov/educator-integrity/fingerprinting-forms.
- Complete applicant sections 1 and 2. For section 2 select the checkbox that BEST describes your situation, even if it doesn’t fit 100%. Please note that ALL fields are required. Failure to complete all fields accurately will delay processing.
- Sign and date applicant section 3.
- Submit the completed form by uploading the form to the HR Connect Web Portal. Once logged into the portal, follow these steps:
- Click “Upload Documents” which appears at the top of the screen.
- All fields on the Upload Document page must be completed to submit your form.
- From the Category drop down menu select “Walk-in Center OSPRA 104”.
- Enter in the Subject field “OSPRA 104 form.”
- Enter any additional details in the Notes field.
- Attach the form/supporting document(s) by clicking the Choose File button.
- When you have uploaded all pertinent documents, Click Submit.
Note: To check the status of your request at any time, go to My Account which appears at the top of the screen and select Account Overview.
Important Tips:
Ensure that the information listed in your NYS TEACH account and the information in your Applicant Gateway profile matches correctly. If your personal information does not match (i.e., different last name, or date of birth), your OSPRA 104 process will not be successful.
How long will it take for my OSPRA 104 form to be processed?
OSPRA 104 requests will generally be processed within 10 business days.
For assistance call HR Connect 718-935-4000.
Read about which tests are required for certification in New York
Search specific exam requirements for your certificate → Search Certification Requirements
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
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. The college recommendation will be entered on your TEACH Account within approximately 5 business days after your degree or advanced certificate has been awarded.
Degree conferral does NOT take place immediately upon completion of your program. After grades have been posted and the college’s grading process is complete, the Graduation Audit Unit will conduct the final degree audit and post the degree conferral on students’ transcripts. Only students who have met all requirements for graduation will be conferred. Your conferral date is the official graduation date on your transcript and diploma. Participating in the commencement ceremony does NOT mean your degree has been conferred.
Degree Audit Process
The official audit is conducted by the Registrar Graduation Audit Unit, and supersedes all other indications that the student has completed all the degree requirements. The degree audit is the final step before degree conferral.
- Step 1: File for graduation via your CUNYfirst account. Please be aware of the application deadline.
Once complete your graduation status will be listed as “Applied for Graduation.”
- Step 2: Your student record will be reviewed for completion of the college’s general education requirements, pending the completion of the current semester’s coursework.
Once complete your graduation status will change to “Program in Review.”
- Step 3: Your student record will then be reviewed for major/minor specific requirements.
Once complete your graduation status will change to “Needs to Finish Pending Work.”
- Step 4: After grades have been posted to your account and the college’s grading process is complete, a final review of your application will be completed, and the graduation notation will be posted. Once complete your graduation status will change to “Degree Awarded.” Check your unofficial student transcript through Self Service > Academic Records to see your if degree has been “Awarded”.
This process cannot be expedited.
Yes. You must enter an application for certification on the NYSED TEACH Online Services system.
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 (Must hold a valid certificate) Pathway 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.
- Check Status of Application
- Coursework to Satisfy Unmet Requirements
- Search Certification Requirements
- Submitting Documents
– As you would be applying directly to the NYSED, 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.
To order official transcripts from Queens College click here.
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