frequently asked questions

Certification Requirements - Initial and Professional

1. Will there continue to be individual evaluation after February 1, 2004?

2. Where can I find a list of the specific coursework and other requirements for each of the new certificates by title?
   
   
3. ’ve heard that there is no longer an option to delay the issuance of my certificate once I complete my teacher preparation program. Is this true?

4. Does the Generalist in Middle Level Education (5-9) certificate allow an individual to teach a specific subject, such as math?

5. Once I receive my Initial certificate, I will be enrolling in graduate school. How can I find out which master’s degrees will be acceptable toward satisfying the requirements for a Professional certificate?

6. Once I have my Initial certificate, how many years do I have to complete the requirements for a Professional certificate?

7. I understand that the validity period of the Initial certificate was recently changed from 3 to 5 years. If I was issued my Initial certificate before this change, is my certificate now valid for 5 years?

8. Must I complete three years of teaching PLUS one mentored year of teaching in order to qualify for the Professional certificate?
    
9. One of the requirements for the Initial certificate I am interested in is a language other than English. Does this mean 6 semester hours or one year of college study? What about the language I took in high school?
    

10. Would study in American Sign Language (ASL) satisfy the language requirement?

1. Will there continue to be individual evaluation after February 1, 2004?
   
   Individual evaluation of credentials (or individual evaluation) will continue to be available for all applicants for a certificate. For more information, go to Notice of Important Changes to Certification Requirements. top

2. Where can I find a list of the specific coursework and other requirements for each of the new certificates by title?
   
   For requirements for Initial certificates in the new certificate titles, go to Search Certification Requirements by clicking on the icon below

    

    

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3. I’ve heard that there is no longer an option to delay the issuance of my certificate once I complete my teacher preparation program. Is this true?
   
   Yes. The Board of Regents recently eliminated this provision in certification regulations. For more information, go to Notice of Recent Changes to Certification Requirements.  top

4. Does the Generalist in Middle Level Education (5-9) certificate allow an individual to teach a specific subject, such as math?
   
   No. There are two types of middle level certificates available, intended for employment in different types of school settings:
   
   The Generalist in Middle Level Education (5-9) certificate is for teachers who teach all subjects in a self-contained classroom. This certificate would be appropriate for employment in schools organized on a self-contained classroom model in the middle grades, such as a K-8 school. Teachers with a Generalist certificate teach all subjects (math, English, social studies, science, etc.) to the students in their classroom.
   
   The Middle Level (5-9) Specialist certificate is for teachers who teach a specific academic subject. This certificate would be appropriate for employment in schools organized on a secondary school model in the middle grades. Teachers with a Specialist certificate in math, for instance, teach math to several classes of middle level students. top

5. Once I receive my Initial certificate, I will be enrolling in graduate school. How can I find out which master’s degrees will be acceptable toward satisfying the requirements for a Professional certificate?
   
   You may meet the educational requirement for a Professional certificate in one of several ways. You may complete one of the following:

• A graduate-level teacher education program at a New York State higher education institution that prepares teachers, or

• A master’s or higher program in the content core of your Initial certificate or in a related content area, or

• A master’s or higher program in any field, provided that you have 12 semester hours of graduate study in the content core of the Initial certificate or in a related content area. top

6. Once I have my Initial certificate, how many years do I have to complete the requirements for a Professional certificate?
   
   The Initial certificate is valid for 5 years, during which time you must complete the requirements for the professional certificate.  top

7. I understand that the validity period of the Initial certificate was recently changed from 3 to 5 years.  If I was issued my Initial certificate before this change, is my certificate now valid for 5 years?
   
   Yes, all Initial certificates, regardless of the date they were issued, are now valid for 5 years. top
    
8. Must I complete three years of teaching PLUS one mentored year of teaching in order to qualify for the Professional certificate?

   No, the first year of teaching must be mentored, followed by two additional years of teaching experience in order to qualify for the Professional certificate. top

9. One of the requirements for the Initial certificate I am interested in is study in a language other than English. Does this mean college study? What about the language I took in high school?
   
   There are several ways to satisfy this requirement:
   
   • Completion of a college course in a language other than English, as indicated on the college transcript. The course may be for any number of semester hours of credit.
   • Satisfactory performance on a College Level Examination Program (CLEP) test in Spanish, French, or German.
   • Passing performance on a proficiency exam offered by an institution of higher education’s foreign language department (verification required).
   • Waiver by a higher education institution of its language requirement, based on high school study, etc., as indicated on the college transcript or letter from the college registrar.
   • Graduation from a higher education institution with a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, in which the language of instruction was other than English.
     
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10. Would study in American Sign Language (ASL) satisfy the language requirement?
    
    Yes, American Sign Language is considered a language other than English.  top