New Teachers - Certification Requirements & Pathways

For uncertified teachers that have not begun the certification process:

Resource: Getting Started as a New Teacher in a NYC Charter School

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If you are enrolled/or will enroll in a graduate program your pathway is: “Approved Teacher Preparation Program”

**Note: If you plan to enroll in a graduate teacher preparation, it must be in New York State. Please see the NYSED Approved Teacher Preparation List for specific schools.


If you have an undergraduate and/or graduate degree in your content area OR education OR another relevant field your pathway is “Individual Evaluation”

**Note: You may be missing coursework to be eligible for initial certification. Please reach out to NYSED to request a manual evaluation of your transcripts.


If you have an out-of-state teacher certification your pathway is: "Endorsement of a Certificate" / Interstate Reciprocity.   Please go to the NYSED  "Applicants from Other States" website  to determine if your out-of-state license can receive reciprocity in NYS.


If you completed a teacher preparation program (undergraduate or graduate) but you do not have an out-of-state teaching license OR you have less than 3 years teaching your pathway is:  "Completion of a College Teacher Preparation Program in Another State"

  **Submit all undergraduate and graduate transcripts to TEACH. Go to "NYSED  "Applicants from Other States" website  to determine if your out-of-state credits will be accepted or you will need additional coursework for initial certification.

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If you are a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher applying for certification…

There are multiple certification pathways to receive certification based on level of education and/or work industry experience. When you search NYSED Search Certification Requirements, under “Select an Area of Interest,” select:  career and technical education (not: classroom teacher) to identify the requirements you need to meet to become a certified CTE teacher.

If you and are currently enrolled/will enroll in a program your pathway is “Approved Teacher Preparation program”


If you hold an associate degree or higher your pathway is “Individual Evaluation”


If you hold at least 4 years of industry-related work experience you can apply for a “Transitional A” certification (under: Select a type of certificate). Once this certificate expires your next certificate should be an initial certification.

If you are not sure of your next steps, based on the above information, please refer to our Support/ Contacts page