Certification

Exams Other than the NYSTCE

Acceptance of Exams Other than the NYSTCE toward New York State Educator Certification


At its February 2025 meeting, the Board of Regents adopted amendments to Section 80 of the Commissioner’s Regulations, establishing opportunities for exams other than the NYSTCE to be accepted to meet the content knowledge examination requirement. Only specific exams other than the NYSTCE which align with the New York State Learning Standards are acceptable.

To determine your exam's eligibility, please follow these steps:
  1. Determine if you took a Praxis (ETS) certification exam or a NES (Pearson) exam. You will find this information on the score report you received.
  2. Determine if the exam and exam score meet the New York State content exam requirement.
    1. For Praxis (ETS), please click here.
    2. For NES (Pearson), please click here.

If the exam name and test code match what is listed on the chart for the certification you are seeking, and you meet the minimum passing score, please complete the following steps:

  1. Request your exam scores be sent to the NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI).

    *All scores must be submitted electronically to the Office of Teaching by the testing company. OTI will not accept exam scores sent by the applicant.*

  2. Once you have requested your exam scores be sent to the NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI), please submit this form to request the exams be associated with your application.
    Note: If you have not applied for certification, please wait until you have applied and paid the application fee before filling out the form.

  3. After 10 days of requesting the scores be sent to the OTI, please check to see they have been uploaded.
    1. To do this, please log into your TEACH account, select Account Information, and then select Test Scores.

If your exam name and test code do not match what is listed on the chart, or you do not meet the minimum passing score, your test is not eligible. You will need to either pass the NYSTCE version of the exam or qualify through the exam waiver process.

Additionally, if the testing company no longer has your scores on file, you will need to retake the exams or take the NYSTCE exams in New York State in order to become certified.

Last Updated: February 10, 2026