Office of Teaching Initiatives

Using a National Board Certificate

A teacher who holds a certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) may obtain a New York State certificate in a comparable title, without meeting any additional education or testing requirements, through the National Board Pathway.

Most, but not all, National Board certificate titles correspond to New York State certificate titles. See the chart of NBPTS Certificate Titles and Comparable NYS Certificate Titles. A teacher who holds a National Board certificate for which there is no comparable title in New York State, such as in the sciences, languages other than English, and special education, may apply under the Reciprocity Pathway or Individual Evaluation Pathway.

Applying for a certificate based upon holding National Board Certification.

Click to view specific requirements.

How to Apply

1. To apply online, click .
   
   
2. During the application process, you will be asked a series of questions. Choose "No" for each question.
   
3. At the end of the questionaionnaire, you will be presented with a list of "Pathways", choose the "Pathway: National Board". 
   
   
4. Upon completion of your application, apply for fingerprinting using your TEACH account.
• For information about the fingerprint process, go to Fingerprinting .
  
  
5. Contact the registrar's office of each college/university you attended and ask that they submit official transcripts to this office.
   
   
6. If applicable, mail a copy of your valid out-of-state certificate to:
   
   Office of Teaching Initiatives
   New York State Education Department
   89 Washington Ave, 5N EB
   Albany, New York 12234