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Certification in New York State. NYSUT Information Bulletin No. 200407 (Replaces 200112, 200315) January 2004 TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION Local leaders and members are continually faced with many questions and problems regarding teacher certification in New York State due to significant changes in requirements over the last decade. Some teachers are working toward their permanent certification status under regulations that were in place until September 1, 1993. Others are working under regulations that continue until February 1, 2004. Still others will be working under new regulations that become effective on February 2, 2004. The purpose of this Information Bulletin is to summarize the information most commonly sought by members and local leaders on both current and the soon-to-be-implemented regulations and provide resources for addressing questions and problems. This Information Bulletin will only discuss the requirements for classroom teaching certification. The contents of this Information Bulletin include:
Please bear in mind that this document is for only for your information and is not to be considered an official interpretation of the rules and regulations of the Commissioner of Education. An official response on the interpretation of certification regulations or the determination of individual certification status can only be obtained from the Office of Teaching Initiatives of the State Education Department. Contact information for that Office - including a link to their Web site - can be found in the right column of this web page. OVERVIEW OF TEACHER CERTIFICATION All teachers employed in the public schools in New York State must hold a valid certificate issued in accordance with Sections 3001 and 3009 of Education Law and Part 80 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. Section 3001 establishes that no one is authorized to teach in a public school without a teaching certificate, and Section 3009 clearly states that unqualified teachers cannot be paid with district funds. Part 80 contains certification requirements for classroom teaching, administrative/supervisory and pupil personnel (school) service titles. The Office of Teaching Initiatives at the State Education Department is responsible for certifying teachers in New York State . State certification is also required for teachers employed in state-operated and state-supported schools, Special Act school districts, and approved private schools for the education of students with disabilities. THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS UNTIL FEBRUARY 1, 2004 THE PATH TO CERTIFICATION Until February 1, 2004, an applicant would achieve certification in New York State through one of the following six paths: 1. Through successful completion of an approved program registered by the State Education Department. The type of certificate to be issued is determined by the recommending institution of higher education and is forwarded to the Office of Teaching Initiatives for approval. The State Education Department publishes a list of approved teacher training programs. 2. Through individual evaluation of a candidate's educational background by the State Education Department (also known as the Transcript Review process) . The Department will evaluate the candidate's complete application including courses and teaching experience and will either issue the requested certificate or will note deficiencies and recommend the necessary steps to be taken in order to qualify for certification in the areas requested. 3.Through the Interstate Agreement on Qualifications of Educational Personnel. A provisional certificate will be issued to an applicant who has completed a program of preparation at an approved institution of higher education, or who has attained an initial regular certificate in a state which has contracted with New York State through the Interstate Agreement on Qualifications of Educational Personnel. The Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST) and Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W) must be taken and passed prior to the issuance of the provisional certificate. Item #5 on page 3 includes the list of states participating in the Interstate Agreement. 4. Possession of a Northeast Regional Credential. The Northeast Regional Credential, while not actually a valid New York State certificate, allows the holder to be employed in a New York State public school for a period not to exceed two years while fulfilling requirements for provisional certification in New York State . The applicant then has an additional five years to complete the permanent certification requirements. 5. Emergency Regulations for Out-of-State Applications. On March 7, 2000, the Board of Regents approved additional changes in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to remove barriers to the recruitment of teachers from other states. These new regulations expand the Interstate Agreement on the Qualification of Educational Personnel as described above by providing a teaching certificate to candidates who have not yet passed teacher examinations otherwise required in New York State . These new regulations permit teachers who are certified in other states that are party to the Interstate Agreement to obtain a conditional provisional certificate . Individuals certified to teach in any of the states listed below and who would like to teach in New York State may be eligible for a two-year conditional provisional teaching certificate from the New York State Education Department.
The conditional provisional certificate is valid for two years, during which time the teacher must satisfy the examination requirements for a regular provisional certificate: the New York State Teacher Certification Examination (NYSTCE) Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) and the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W). If the candidate has satisfied the testing requirement at the end of two years, a regular provisional certificate will be issued, valid for five years from the effective date of the conditional provisional certificate. Individuals who are certified to teach in any state and who have a certificate from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards are deemed to have met all NYS requirements and are eligible to receive a provisional certificate. 6. Completion of an Alternative Certification Program. The Regents amended regulations in July 2001 to allow candidates to enter teaching through completion of an alternative program. The alternative certification model is aimed at experienced second career professionals. Alternative certification programs are offered by colleges in conjunction with local school partners. They feature an accelerated introductory component, followed by paid employment, with extensive mentoring, coursework and other supports from the college and school district. Individuals entering the teaching profession through this path will first work under transitional B certificates. Please be aware that alternative certification programs are not available in all areas of NYS. PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATION A provisional certificate is the first credential an individual will receive upon satisfactory completion of all teacher preparation requirements. The certificate is issued on either February 1 st or September 1 st and expires five years from the date of issuance. A permanent certificate must be obtained within the five-year period of validity. The last provisional certificates will be issued on February 1, 2004. The requirements for a provisional certificate would include:
Please note that certification in career and technical subjects may not include all of the identified requirements. PERMANENT CERTIFICATION A permanent certificate is valid for life in the area of certification and would be issued upon completion of the following requirements:
Please note that certification in career and technical subjects may not include all of the identified requirements. THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS AS OF FEBRUARY 2, 2004 As of February 2, 2004, m ajor changes occur in NYS teacher certification. An initial certificate replaces a provisional certificate as an entry credential for teaching in New York State , and, in turn, these individuals will be working toward a professional certificate as their final credential, not a permanent certificate. In addition, certification titles change as new titles are introduced and others are focused on more limited student populations. Please note that certification in career and technical subjects may not include all of the following requirements. THE PATH TO CERTIFICATION After February 2, 2004, an applicant would achieve certification in New York State through one of the following paths: 1. Through successful completion of an approved teacher preparation program registered by the State Education Department. The type of certificate to be issued is determined by the recommending institution of higher education and is forwarded to the Office of Teaching Initiatives for approval. The State Education Department publishes a list of approved teacher preparation programs. 2. Through individual evaluation of a candidate's educational background by the State Education Department (also known as the Transcript Review process) . As a result of a recent amendment to the Regulations of the Commissioner, the individual evaluation (or transcript review) process will be available to certificate-seekers. A complete listing of the education requirements by certificate title can be found on the Office of Teaching Initiatives website. 3. Through the Interstate Agreement on Qualifications of Educational Personnel. An applicant who has completed a program of preparation at an approved institution of higher education from jurisdictions participating in the Interstate Agreement on Qualifications of Educational Personnel may meet the education requirement for the initial certificate, however all other requirements must be completed prior to the issuance of the initial certificate. Item #5 on page 3 includes the list of states participating in the Interstate Agreement. 4. Certificate Issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Candidates holding at least a baccalaureate degree and a certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in a title equivalent to the initial certificate title would fulfill the requirements for an initial certificate. 5. Completion of an Alternative Certification Program or an Intensive Program. These models are aimed at experienced, second career professionals and are offered by colleges in conjunction with local school partners. They feature an accelerated introductory component, followed by paid employment, with extensive mentoring, coursework and other supports from the college and school district. Individuals entering the teaching profession through this path will first work under a transitional B certificate if enrolled in an alternative certification program or a transitional C certificate if enrolled in an intensive program. Please be aware that these programs are not available in all areas of NYS. INITIAL CERTIFICATION In order to receive an initial certificate, an applicant must fulfill the following requirements:
Initial certificates would be valid for three years, and the earliest effective date for individuals holding initial certificates will be September 1, 2004. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONAn applicant for a professional certificate must fulfill the following requirements:
In order to maintain the validity of the professional certificate, an individual will be required to complete 175 hours of professional development, consistent with the school district's Professional Development Plan, every five years. Please note that there is no professional development requirement for maintaining the validity of a permanent certificate . PRE-FEBRUARY 2, 2004 CERTIFICATE HOLDERS SEEKING AN ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATE AFTER FEBRUARY 2, 2004 In general, the following pertain to an individual who holds a certificate (in other than a career and technical title) dated no later than February 1, 2004 and who applies for an additional certificate in another subject title after February 1, 2004:
CONTACT INFORMATION: OFFICE OF TEACHING INITIATIVES 
An official response on the interpretation of certification regulations or the determination of individual certification status can only be obtained from the State Education Department 's Office of Teaching Initiatives. However, please be aware that the office has a backlog of pending applications, and it is very difficult to contact staff by telephone. Frequently, written information resolving questions can be found on the Office of Teaching Initiatives website. If an answer cannot be found there, we suggest that individuals e-mail the Office of Teaching Initiatives for information. In that way, you create a complete record reflecting the date, time, question and response for your personal certification files. Remember, it is important to maintain a personal certification file which includes not only copies of any and all correspondence concerning certification but also copies of your certificate(s), test scores, transcripts, notes of any conversations with officials, etc. Such a file documents your efforts in maintaining your teaching credential and can assist you if there is a problem regarding your certification status. Mailing Address Phone E-mail Website OTHER CERTIFICATION INFORMATION CONDITIONAL PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATE An individual certified in one of the states participating in the Interstate Agreement on Qualifications of Educational Personnel may apply for a conditional provisional certificate. This certificate is valid for two years, during which time the teacher must satisfy the examination requirement for a regular provisional certificate. If the candidate has satisfied the testing requirement at the end of two years, a regular provisional certificate will be issued, valid for five years from the effective date of the conditional provisional certificate. Candidates issued provisional certificates must still satisfy all graduate degree, experiential, examination and workshop requirements for the permanent certificate. TRANSITIONAL CERTIFICATES Individuals may be issued transitional certificates, valid for three years, that would allow for their employment in public school settings. Those transitional certificates for teaching titles are as follows: •Transitional A Available after February 2, 2004 for individuals without initial or professional certification in specific career and technical subjects; •Transitional B Issued to individuals enrolled in an alternative certification program •Transitional C Issued to individuals who hold a graduate academic or graduate professional degree and are enrolled in an intensive program leading to a professional certificate •Transitional E Issued only with effective dates of 9/1/03 or 2/1/04 for individuals without valid provisional or permanent certification in career and technical education subjects. EXTENSION OF TIME FOR PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATE An extension of the provisional certificate, not to exceed two years, may be granted to an individual:
Further, the time validity of provisional certificates held by teachers on active duty with the Armed Forces may be extended by the Commissioner, upon the application by the holder of such certificate, for the time of such active service. Persons requesting the time extension will be required to furnish evidence to the Office of Teaching Initiatives of any of the above conditions before an extension will be granted. Modified Temporary License for an Uncertified Teacher It is no longer possible for a board of education to employ an uncertified teacher, even with a temporary license. For a limited period of time, school districts and BOCES may employ teachers who have a modified temporary license. Requested by the New York City Department of Education to address projected certified teacher shortages but also available throughout the state, modified temporary licenses will allow uncertified teacher candidates to teach in subject titles deemed to be a teacher shortage area. The requirements for a modified temporary license include:
The one year modified temporary license will only be available for the 2003-04 and 2004-05 school years. Individuals serving under such a license cannot be assigned to a School Under Registration Review, a school designated as in Need of Improvement, or a school in Corrective Action unless the candidate was currently working in such a school. No one holding a modified temporary license can be placed in a teaching assignment in violation of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. LIMITED CERTIFICATE A teacher who held a temporary license can be hired by a school district or BOCES for the 2003-04 school year under a limited certificate. The limited certificate is valid for one year to holders of a baccalaureate or higher degree for the certificate sought who have passed the LAST, ATS-W and CST, if required. All other coursework required for a provisional certificate must be completed by September 2004. INCIDENTAL TEACHINGA teacher may be assigned to teach a subject not covered by the teacher's certificate or license for a period not to exceed “five classroom hours per week.” The regulations require that the district first seek a certified teacher, file an application, and receive approval of the Commissioner. Requests for incidental teaching approvals are submitted directly to the local BOCES District Superintendent as an agent of the Commissioner. Incidental teaching in New York City is approved by the Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education. Special education may not be taught on an incidental basis. SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS Commissioner's Regulations define a substitute teacher as “one who is employed in place of a regularly appointed teacher who is absent but is expected to return.” Persons serving on a long-term basis must have proper certification for the position. There are three categories of substitutes:
The chief school officer must submit an annual report to the State Education Department concerning the employment of all uncertified substitute teachers. Revocation Under Part 83 of the Regulations of the Commissioner, the Commissioner of Education may institute proceedings to remove a teacher's certificate for cause under the good moral character requirement. A due process hearing is required. Certification may be revoked for conviction of a serious crime, or if the teacher has committed an act which raises a reasonable question as to the teacher's moral character. NYS TEACHER CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION PROGRAM The New York State Teacher Certification Examination (NYSTCE) program is designed to help ensure that certified teachers have the knowledge and skills that are important for the job of teaching in New York State public schools. The testing program is administered by National Evaluation Systems, Inc., for the New York State Education Department. The NYSTCEs consist of the following tests:
Individuals seeking a New York State teaching certificate must achieve qualifying scores on a set of assessments, depending upon the certificate title. ASSESSMENT OF TEACHING SKILLS-Performance (Video ) Rumors abound that the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Performance (ATS-P) video is no longer required. These rumors are not accurate. The ATS-P will continue to be required for permanent certification in PreK-6, academic subjects for Grades 7-12 (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, social studies, English, languages other than English) and English to speakers of other languages. However, the ATS-P will not be required for individuals holding initial or professional certificates (i.e.: individuals certified after 2/2/04). FINGERPRINTING Applicants for certification must be fingerprinted. Exempted from this requirement are individuals who hold a valid provisional certificate, applied for prior to July 1, 2001, and who are applying for a permanent certificate in the same title. An individual who has been fingerprinted for certification or public school employment purposes need not be fingerprinted again for subsequent certification or employment. For detailed information on fingerprinting, access the NYS State Education Department Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability (OSPRA) website at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/ospra/. UNITED STATES PERMANENT RESIDENCE New York State Education Law now permits individuals with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Permanent Residence status to qualify for a permanent or professional teacher certificate. To verify permanent residence status, submit one of the following with the application:
CHILD ABUSE IDENTIFICATION & SCHOOL VIOLENCE PREVENTION TRAINING All applicants for certification are required to complete two clock hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse and maltreatment in accordance with Sections 3003(4) and 3004 of the Education Law. In addition, all applicants for a certificate on or after February 2, 2001 are required to complete two clock hours of course work or training in school violence prevention and intervention in accordance with section 3004 of the Education Law. These requirements are frequently fulfilled as part of a teacher preparation program. If not, training in these two subjects is available only from a provider approved by the New York State Education Department. A listing of approved providers can be found at the Office of Teaching Initiatives website at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/addreq.htm. ADVICE FOR LOCAL LEADERS
APPENDICES NOTE: Appendices are available for download in the PDF version of this bulletin. File is 5MB, 54 pages, and includes the following:
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