School of Education

School of Education

Certification Assistance

There is always a certain amount of anxiety around the certification process, but we hope that this web page will be useful in allaying your fears and provide you with clear and concise information regarding the certification process in New York State.

The Office of Teaching Initiatives provides comprehensive information regarding teacher certification including a FAQ’s page that you may find particularly useful when navigating the certification process.

Levels of Certification (as provided by the Office of Teaching Initiatives website)

Initial: The Initial certificate is the entry-level classroom, teaching certificate in New York State, and is issued for a specific subject/grade level (e.g. Biology 7-12). An Initial certificate is valid for 5 years, with the possibility of a two-year time extension.

Professional: The Professional certificate is the second-level classroom, teaching certificate, and is issued to a holder of an Initial certificate with the completion of educational and experience requirements for the Professional certificate. The Professional certificate is continuously valid, with the completion of 175 hours of required professional development on a 5-year cycle over the life of the certificate.

Undergraduate degree programs that lead to Initial Certification include:
Bachelor of Science in Education (Birth-2nd Grade)
Bachelor of Science in Education (1- 6)
www.newpaltz.edu/elementaryed

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Art in Adolescence Education
www.newpaltz.edu/secondaryed

Bachelor of Science, Communication Disorders
www.newpaltz.edu/commdis

Bachelor of Science, Art Education
www.newpaltz.edu/arted

Graduate degree programs that lead to initial and professional may be found on our Graduate School’s Web site.

Permanent: (As of February 2, 2004, the Permanent certificate continues to be issued in classroom teaching titles to holders of Provisional certificates in those titles.)

The Permanent certificate is the second-level certificate in pupil personnel service titles and administrative and supervisory service titles, and is issued to holders of a Provisional certificate with the completion of educational, experience, and testing requirements for the Permanent certificate. The Permanent certificate is continuously valid with no further requirements.

What are the requirements to become certified?

Every state requires teachers to obtain certification before they can teach. In New York State (and many others), you must obtain a master’s degree in education (if you don’t already have one) within five years of receiving your initial teacher certification.

Requirements for teacher certification in New York State

  • Academic preparation: degree/coursework, student teaching
  • Assessment: selected tests in the New York State Teacher Certification Examination program series:

    Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)

    Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W)

    Content Specialty Test (CST)

    Assessment of Teaching Skills-Performance (ATS-P) (not required for those applying for professional certification.)
    o Required for Permanent certificate in certain titles.

    Bilingual Education Assessments (BEAs)
  • Experience: teaching and/or other work experience
  • Additional requirements: Child abuse identification workshop, School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SAVE) workshop, moral character requirement, and fingerprint clearance

What We Ask From You:

  • Teacher certification applications are now completed on-line at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/ the semester you graduate.
  • You must have proof of Child Abuse and SAVE workshops before we can recommend you for certification. Both seminars will appear on official and unofficial transcripts.
  • If Child Abuse and/or SAVE are taken anywhere other than SUNY New Paltz, a copy of completion certificate must be submitted to SCB 112.
  • Once the college recommendation (s) has been submitted to NYSED, check http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/ for details on the processing of your certification application.
  • If your address changes from what is written on your teacher certification application, you may update your record on the TEACH system before application is submitted to NYSED.
  • The College can only recommend you for certification in the title which you are receiving your degree. If seeking other certifications, you may apply on-line directly to NYSED at: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/
  • If seeking other certification than in the program you have completed, check http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/ for requirements
  • For certification test requirements check with your advisor or the Information Associate in SCB 128B.
  • Remember, it is your responsibility to stay current on deadlines regarding graduation, certification tests and requirements.

Resources for you: