Certification

Initial Reissuance

Initial certificates for classroom teachers, school building leaders, and school counselors are valid for five years. Beginning August 2, 2023, these educators who hold an expired or expiring Initial certificate, and have not met the requirements for the Professional certificate, may apply for up to two reissuances of their Initial certificate if they meet the following eligibility requirements. Each Initial Reissuance is valid for five years from the effective date of the reissuance.

Note: Applications will not be accepted more than six months before the expiration of the certificate.

Please note that educators who:
  • Have already obtained an Initial Reissuance and the former Time Extension are not eligible for a second Initial Reissuance,
  • Were issued a Time Extension may receive only one Initial Reissuance, or
  • Hold an Initial Reissuance that was issued on or after May 20, 2020 and prior to August 2, 2023, and did not receive a Time Extension, may receive second Initial Reissuance under the first Initial Reissuance requirements.

Provisional School Counselor certificate holders should visit the Provisional Renewal webpage

First Initial Reissuance

For the first reissuance of an Initial certificate, educators must meet all requirements for the Professional certificate except the education AND/OR experience requirements, as described below:

  • For teachers, they:
    • Do not have three years of acceptable teaching experience with one year of mentored experience, AND/OR
    • Do not hold an acceptable master’s degree, and for teachers who hold an unrelated master’s degree, also do not have 12 semester hours of graduate coursework in the subject area of the Initial certificate.
  • For school building leaders, they do not have three years of acceptable educational leadership experience with one year of mentored experience. Please note that there is not an education requirement for Professional School Building Leader certification.
  • For Initial School Counselor certificate holders, they:
    • Do not have three years of acceptable school counselor experience with one year of mentored experience, AND/OR
    • Do not hold a master’s degree or higher, AND/OR
    • Do not have not completed 60 semester hours of graduate coursework in school counseling in specified core content areas.

    Educators must submit the Attestation Form to tcert@nysed.gov where they will attest that they have not met the education AND/OR experience requirements for the Professional certificate.  Educators must also apply and pay for the First Initial Reissuance application through their TEACH account in order to have their attestation reviewed.

    Second Initial Reissuance

    For the second Initial Reissuance, educators must meet all requirements for the Professional certificate except the education OR experience requirements, as described below. Applicants must have met either the education or experience requirement and have not met both requirements.

  • For teachers, they:
    • Do not have three years of acceptable teaching experience with one year of mentored experience, OR
    • Do not hold an acceptable master’s degree, and for teachers who hold an unrelated master’s degree, also do not have 12 semester hours of graduate coursework in the subject area of the Initial certificate.
  • For school building leaders, they do not have three years of acceptable educational leadership experience with one year of mentored experience. Please note that there is not an education requirement for Professional School Building Leader certification.
  • For Initial School Counselor certificate holders, they:
    • Do not have three years of acceptable school counselor experience with one year of mentored experience, OR
    • Do not hold a master’s degree or higher, OR
    • Do not have not completed 60 semester hours of graduate coursework in school counseling in specified core content areas.

    Educators must submit the Attestation Form to tcert@nysed.gov where they will attest that they have not met the education OR experience requirement for the Professional certificate. Educators must also apply and pay for the Second Initial Reissuance application through their TEACH account in order to have their attestation reviewed.

    Please see our quick reference guide to learn more about the new requirements and to help you determine your eligibility.

  • Last Updated: August 18, 2023