Teacher

Certification Guide
Your guide to becoming a certified
teacher in New York
 Guide | Teacher Certification

How to Become a Teacher

Decide what you want to teach 03
• Choose the right teaching certificate title

Choose a pathway to teaching 05

• Bachelor’s degree programs
• Graduate and alternative certification programs

Pass New York certification exams 06

If you are certified in another state or country 06
Adding up certification costs 06
• Financial aid & scholarships

How to become a teacher—Quick view 07

What teaching certificate titles can I earn? 08

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How to Become a Teacher

The very short version is this: In most cases, To broaden your options, you could consider
you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and teaching a subject area that allows you to teach at all
certificate—also called licensure. You can grade levels, such as:
earn your certificate at the same time as your
• English to Speakers of Other Languages
bachelor’s degree or after you graduate.
• Fine and Performing Arts
There’s a bit more to it than that, but don’t
panic! This guide walks you through the steps • Health and Physical Education
you’ll need to take to get certified to teach in
• Students with Disabilities
New York. This will help you choose the pathway
that’s best for you. • For a complete list, see “What teaching
certificate titles can I earn” on page 8!
Decide what you want to teach
If you already know what you’d like to teach—
the grade level and subject matter—you
Consider a shortage area subject
can move on to the next section, “Choose a You’ll have more job opportunities—and make
Pathway to Teaching” (page 5). a bigger impact—teaching in a high-need area.
The greatest need for teachers is in designated
If you’re not sure yet or you’re open to teaching
shortage areas. Shortage area teachers often
different subject areas and grade levels, get
qualify for extra pay, student loan forgiveness
a feel for what certificates are available by
and other financial support!
browsing the following tips and the list on
page 8 at the end of this guide. In New York, shortage areas vary by region, so
it’s important to check current shortage areas
where you live.

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Statewide high-demand areas include: Choose the right teaching

• Bilingual Education (Grades 7–12) certificate title
• Biology In New York, your teaching certificate lets
• Career and Technical Education you teach in a public school classroom. Your
• Chemistry teaching certificate title qualifies you to teach
a specific set of grades and subjects.
• Computer Science
• Dance Once you know your grade and subject
preferences, you can select your teaching
• Earth Science certificate title. In some cases, you may have
• English Language Arts multiple certificate options to choose from. For
• Health Education example, if you want to teach middle school,
you could get certified for grades 5–9 or 7–12
• Indigenous Language and Culture
in a particular subject area.
• Library Science
For a complete list, see “What teaching
• Mathematics
certificate titles can I earn?” on page 8 at the
• Physics end of this guide.
• Social Studies
• Students with Disabilities (Grades PreK–12)
• Theater
• World Languages
• Visual Arts

In New York City and the Big Four (Buffalo,

Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers), high-demand
areas include:

• All statewide areas

• Blind and Visually Impaired
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Literacy
• Physical Education (New York City only)
• Speech and Language Disabilities
• Students with Disabilities (Birth–Grade 2)

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Choose a Pathway to Teaching

Once you know what you want to teach, you’re Graduate programs and alternative
ready to start your journey to become a pathways to certification
certified teacher!
If you already have a bachelor’s degree in any
To teach in New York, your next steps will look subject or vocational work experience, you
different depending on your background. We’ll have several options to choose from to earn
help you figure out what you’ll need to move your certificate.
forward.
• Are you a tradesperson? If you have
Pro Tip: If you already have a bachelor’s vocational experience, you can get certified
degree OR vocational work experience, you to teach as a trade instructor for a Career &
may qualify for alternative certification Technical Education program in a middle or
pathways that put you in the classroom faster. high school. Positions may be available in
fields such as automotive repair,
Read on to learn more.
construction, hospitality, human services,
manufacturing and others. Learn more.
Bachelor’s degree programs
• Master’s degree programs let you earn a
If you don’t already have a degree, you may master’s degree and teaching certificate at
be able to earn your degree and your teaching the same time. In New York, all teachers
certificate at the same time. must earn a master’s degree eventually. If
you earn a master’s degree now, you can
Many colleges and universities offer a teaching
start teaching with a higher salary and meet
program that goes along with a degree in
the state requirement! Head over to the
education or a teaching subject, like math,
TeachNY Program Explorer and search for
history or art. So you might major in English
“master’s and certification” programs.
or biology, minor in education and earn your
teaching certificate all at the same time. • Certification-only programs can get you
certified to teach without earning
To get started: Head over to the TeachNY
an additional degree. These programs may
Program Explorer to search for undergraduate
take less time and cost less than master’s
teaching programs.
degree certification programs
(although in New York, you’ll need to earn a
master’s degree eventually). Search for
“certification-only” programs on the
TeachNY Program Explorer.

• Alternative certification programs let you

teach—and earn a salary—right away!You’ll
lead your own classroom and take courses
outside of school hours. You can find both
certificate-only and master’s degree
alternative certification pathways. To be
eligible, you’ll need to get certified in a state-
designated shortage area subject. Learn
more about alternative certification.

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Are you an international educator?

Pass New York To become a New York teacher, you’ll need
certification tests to complete a “foreign credential report,”
in addition to other certification steps. An
You’ll have to pass one or more exams to show approved foreign credential evaluation
that you know your subject well enough to agency will review your credentials and
teach it. In New York, this is called the Content determine the U.S. equivalents.
Specialty Test. Your teaching program will
determine when you take this test. Learn more about obtaining a foreign
credential report and other certification steps.
You’ll also take the Educating All Students Test.
This exam covers your knowledge of teaching
principles (also called pedagogy). This includes
topics like teaching diverse students, adapting
to student needs and working with student
families.

For more information: Check out the TeachNY

Testing Guide for info about test registration,
study tips and more.

Adding up
certification costs
While your experiences as a teacher will be
priceless, you may be wondering what it costs
to get certified to teach in New York.

The total costs will vary depending on the

teaching program you attend and the tests
required for your certification area. Below are
some of the costs you can expect while you
If you are certified in another state earn your certificate:
or country • Initial teaching certificate: $50

“Reciprocity” is the term used to describe what • Education All Students Test: $80
each state requires in order to transfer your • Content Specialty Test: Starting at $122
certification from one state to another. In New
York, you may be able to transfer your out-of- Financial aid and scholarships
state credential and receive a certificate to
begin teaching in a New York school. You’ll It’s understandable to have your eye on the
need to submit your documents directly to the cost of teaching programs. Remember, there
New York State Education Department. are lots of scholarships, loan forgiveness and
other funding opportunities that may lower
Learn more about certification for out-of-state program costs for New York’s future teachers.
teachers.
Learn more about teaching program costs
and financial aid.
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How to Become a
Teacher — Quick View
Choose the subject and grade level you want to teach.
1
Explore your options and consider high need subjects and specialties, like science,
special education and trades. Your subject and grade level will determine your
teaching certificate title.

Enroll in an approved New York teaching program.

2
Check out programs for undergraduates, people with degrees and career
changers. Browse programs with the TeachNY Program Explorer.

Pass New York certification exams.

3 You’ll have to pass tests to show you understand teaching principles, and that you
know your subject well enough to teach it. Depending on your teaching program,
you might take a test before you enroll, during or after you finish.

Complete other certification tasks.

4 New York requires all teachers to complete a few anti-harassment and
discrimination workshops before getting certified. You’ll also need to submit your
fingerprints for a background check. Your program can help you with these steps!

Submit a state application.

5
After you meet all your requirements, it’s time to apply for your teaching certificate.
Your teaching program will need to formally recommend you for this step. Then,
you’ll apply directly to the New York State Education Department.

After you’ve taught for three years, think about getting your
6 National Board Certification.
National Board Certification is considered the most advanced certification that
a teacher can receive. It’s purely optional, but completing the rigorous and
challenging certification process is a prestigious accomplishment and could lead
to a higher salary, more professional opportunities and easier transfer between
states.

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What teaching certificate titles can I earn?

Pro Tip: You can add teaching certificate titles in different grade levels and subject areas throughout
your teaching career. You don’t have to get all your certifications at once!

Elementary & Early Childhood

Shortage Area: New York City, Big Four

Childhood Education Grades 1–6
(Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)

Shortage Area: New York City, Big Four

Early Childhood Education Birth–Grade 2
(Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)

Shortage Area: New York City, Big Four

Students with Disabilities Birth–Grade 2
(Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)

Students with Disabilities Grades 1–6 Shortage Area: Statewide

Fine Arts

Dance PreK–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Music PreK–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Theater PreK–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Visual Arts PreK–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Humanities & Social Sciences

English Language Arts Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide

7–12

Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: New York City, Big Four

Literacy
7–12 (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)

Grades 5–9 or
Social Studies Shortage Area: Statewide
7–12

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Math & Science

Grades 5–9 or
Biology Shortage Area: Statewide
7–12

Grades 5–9 or
Chemistry Shortage Area: Statewide
7–12

Computer Science Grades PreK–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Grades 5–9 or
Earth Science Shortage Area: Statewide
7–12

Grades 5–9 or
Mathematics Shortage Area: Statewide
7–12

Physics Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide

7–12

Students with Disabilities

Shortage Area: New York City, Big Four

Blind and Visually Impaired Grades PreK–12
(Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)

Shortage Area: New York City, Big Four

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Grades PreK–12
(Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)

Speech and Language Shortage Area: New York City, Big Four
Grades PreK–12
Disabilities (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)

Shortage Area: New York City, Big Four

Students with Disabilities Birth–Grade 2
(Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)

Students with Disabilities Grades 1–6, 7–12

Shortage Area: Statewide
or PreK–12

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Health & Physical Education

Health Education PreK–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Physical Education PreK–12 Shortage Area: New York City

Academic Specialty

Agriculture Grades PreK–12

Bilingual Education
This is an add-on certificate. You
must first get certified in another Grades PreK–12 Shortage Area: Statewide
area, like elementary education or
a specific subject.

Business & Marketing Grades PreK–12

English to Speakers of Other

Grades PreK–12
Languages

Family & Consumer Science Grades PreK–12

Indigenous Language &

Grades PreK–12 Shortage Area: Statewide
Culture

Library Science Grades PreK–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Technology Education Grades PreK–12

World Languages

Note: In general, world languages are a statewide shortage area. That said, not all
languages are shortage areas in all parts of New York. For example, French might be a
shortage area in one region, but not a shortage area in another.

Afrikaans Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Albanian Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

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American Sign Language

You can also earn a title to teach Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with 7–12
disabilities. .

Arabic Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide

7–12

Armenian Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Bengali Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Cantonese
You can also earn a title to teach Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with 7–12
disabilities.

Chinese
You can also earn a title to teach Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with 7–12
disabilities.

Czechoslovakian Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Dutch Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Farsi Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

French
You can also earn a title to teach Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with 7–12
disabilities.

German
You can also earn a title to teach Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with 7–12
disabilities.

Greek
You can also earn a title to teach Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with 7–12
disabilities.

Haitian Creole Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

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Hebrew
You can also earn a title to teach Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with 7–12
disabilities.

Hindi Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Hungarian Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Irish Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Italian
You can also earn a title to teach Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with 7–12
disabilities.

Japanese
You can also earn a title to teach Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with 7–12
disabilities.

Korean Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Latin
You can also earn a title to teach Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with 7–12
disabilities.

Mandarin
You can also earn a title to teach Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with 7–12
disabilities.

Polish Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Portuguese Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Punjabi Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Rumanian Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

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Russian
You can also earn a title to teach Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with 7–12
disabilities.

Spanish
You can also earn a title to teach Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with 7–12
disabilities.

Swahili Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Swedish Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Tagalog Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Ukrainian Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Urdu Grades 5–9 or Shortage Area: Statewide

7–12

Vietnamese
You can also earn a title to teach
Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide
this subject to students with
disabilities.

Career & Technical Education

Career and technical education certificates are organized by field, also called “career clusters.” If
you have career experience in one of these areas, you may qualify for certification, even without
a degree. Explore the list of career clusters here, then check out the full list of career and technical
education certificate titles.

Note: In general, career and technical education is a statewide shortage area. That said, not all
subjects are shortage areas in all regions of New York.

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Architecture & Construction Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Arts, A/V Technology and Communications Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Business Management & Administration Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

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Education & Training Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Health Sciences Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Hospitality & Tourism Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Human Services Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Information Technology Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Manufacturing Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Science, Technology, Engineering and Shortage Area: Statewide

Grades 7–12
Mathematics

Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Grades 7–12 Shortage Area: Statewide

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