Certification
Classroom Teacher Initial Certificate Experience Requirement
For the Initial certificates in the classroom teaching service, individuals must complete either a college supervised student teaching experience, practicum (for certain certificate titles), or paid teaching experience. Acceptable paid teaching experience in lieu of student teaching is described on the Substitution of Experience for Student Teaching webpage.
For certificate titles other than Speech and Language Disabilities, Library Media Specialist, and Literacy, individuals may fulfill the teaching experience requirement by completing a college supervised student teaching experience of 40 days or full-time, paid teaching experience in the subject and grade level of the certificate sought.
For the Speech and Language Disabilities and Library Media Specialist Certificates, individuals may fulfill the teaching experience requirement by completing a college supervised practicum or one year of full-time, paid experience while in a private school, a school outside New York State, or a New York State public school while holding a NYS Supplementary Certificate.
For the Literacy Certificates, individuals may fulfill the teaching experience requirement by completing a college supervised practicum or one year of full-time, paid, satisfactory experience as a literacy teacher where they are working with students who are at least two years behind their expected reading level. The paid experience must be in the grade level appropriate to the certificate sought. In addition, the paid experience paid experience must be in a private school, a school outside New York State, or a New York State public school while holding a Supplementary Certificate.