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CQ Exchanges

In the past, Commissioner's Regulations allowed us to issue Certificates of Qualification (CQ) to provide candidates with additional time to quality for a Permanent certificate.  The CQ indicated to a prospective school employer that the holder was eligible for employment in the assignment title ("field") stated on the CQ.

Although CQs are no longer issued, a number of individuals still hold CQs. A CQ is valid for five years and, upon expiration, may be surrendered for a Provisional certificate which is also valid for five years. This provides the candidate up to ten years in which to meet the requirements for the Permanent certificate. (Under certain provisions, an extension of time validity is also possible.) Once a person obtains a probationary or contractual appointment to an unencumbered position in a New York State public school, outside the City of Buffalo, or a regular appointment to an unencumbered position with the New York City Board of Education, the CQ must be exchanged for the Provisional certificate. The ten-year period is then reduced accordingly. The CQ itself is not renewable and cannot be extended.

The original Certificate of Qualification (CQ) should be completed and returned to this office
only in the following circumstances:

1. It has expired. The expiration date is five years from the effective date. Complete Part A and all of the reverse side of the CQ.
2. You are employed by a New York State public school system. Do not submit CQ if you are employed in a substitute position. (Definition: A substitute is one who is employed in place of a regularly appointed individual who is absent but expected to return.) New York City teachers must indicate if they are regularly appointed and list the appointment date. The employing Superintendent must complete Part B of the C.Q. Complete Part A and all of the reverse side of the CQ.
3. You are requesting issuance of the Provisional certificate even though you are not employed in a New York State public school (e.g. you are required to hold Provisional certification by another state or agency). In such cases, you must read and sign the statement below. Your signature verifies that you are knowingly requesting the five year Provisional . Complete Part A and all of the reverse side of the CQ.

PLEASE NOTE

A Certificate of Qualification may be exchanged for a Provisional certificate only. If you believe that you are now eligible for a Permanent certificate, please submit an application with the fee required by law. Include an original transcript, if you have not already sent one.

If you have lost your original Certificate of Qualification (CQ) and are requesting a Provisional certificate, include one of the following:

• A completed photocopy of the face and reverse of your Certificate of Qualification with an attached, signed statement that the original CQ is lost.

• A letter from your superintendent verifying the date of your appointment to a probationary teaching position. Submit a signed statement that the Certificate of Qualification was lost or destroyed, and complete the attached application.

• If neither of the above is possible, submit a signed statement that the Certificate of Qualification was lost or destroyed, detach and return the Certificate of Qualification (CQ) Exchange Statement (OT 40 -66) PDF and complete the and attach the Application Update PDF.