frequently asked questions

Timing of New Regulations

1. When does an applicant become subject to the new (February 2, 2004) certification regulations?

2. Can I use test scores from the February 14, 2004 test administration to qualify for a Provisional certificate prior to February 2, 2004?

3. What happens if I completed all requirements for a certificate and submitted an application before 2/2/04, but the State Education Department did not review and issue my certificate before this deadline? Does that mean I then fall under the new requirements?

4. I have already paid my application fee for the Provisional certificate, but did not complete the requirements by February 2, 2004. Do I need to re-submit an application and fee for the Initial certificate?

5. What happens if I have submitted an application before 2/2/04, but still have one or two remaining requirements to complete? Will I then fall under the new requirements? Will I have to submit a new application and submit another $100 fee?

1. When does an applicant become subject to the new (February 2, 2004) certification regulations?
   
   An applicant is subject to the new regulations if he/she has not completed all requirements and applied for the certificate by February 1, 2004. Failure to meet one or both of these conditions means that the applicant becomes subject to the new requirements. top

2. Can I use test scores from the February 14, 2004 test administration to qualify for a Provisional certificate prior to February 2, 2004?
   
   Yes, you may qualify using February test scores, as long as you have applied for and completed all other requirements for a Provisional certificate prior to February 2. top

3. What happens if I completed all requirements for a certificate and submitted an application before 2/2/04, but the State Education Department did not review and issue my certificate before this deadline? Does that mean I then fall under the new requirements?
   
   No. As long as you have met both conditions-completion of requirements and submission of the application by February 2, 2004-- you will still be eligible under the "old" requirements, regardless of when your credentials are reviewed by the Education Department. top

4. I have already paid my application fee for the Provisional certificate, but did not complete the requirements by February 2, 2004. Do I need to re-submit an application and fee for the Initial certificate?
   
   No. Your documentation and application fee for the Provisional certificate will be applied to your Initial certificate application. You must now complete all requirements for the Initial certificate, including completion of an approved New York State teacher education program and satisfactory scores on the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST), Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W), and the Content Specialty Test (CST) in the subject area of the certificate. Check to see if you qualify for a Limited certificate or qualify through Interstate Reciprocity. top

5. What happens if I have submitted an application before 2/2/04, but still have one or two remaining requirements to complete? Will I then fall under the new requirements? Will I have to submit a new application and submit another $100 fee?
   
   Yes, you will then fall under the new requirements. No, you will not have to submit a new application or another fee. However, you will have to submit a request for conversion an application for Provisional certificate to an application for an Initial certificate (PDF). top