Office of Teaching Initiatives

Submitting Documents

• GED, HSE, or High School Diploma and Transcripts
  • High School Diploma or Transcript

    High school diplomas, high school transcripts, and high school equivalency documents (HSE diploma, GED/TASC test score transcripts) can be sent in the following methods:

    1. The high school/organization can send transcripts in PDF format via email to transcriptsoti@nysed.gov, with "HS Diploma" in the subject line. Transcripts sent in by the applicant in this method will NOT be accepted.
    
    
    2. The high school or the applicant can request an electronic submission – through an approved electronic transcript company such as Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse. The high school or the applicant must select the New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives through the vendor’s transcript portal; or
    
    
    3. Mailed to our office via USPS in an envelope sealed by the high school/organization only. Addressed to:

        New York State Education Department
        Office of Teaching Initiatives
        89 Washington Ave, 5N EB 
        Albany, NY  12234

  • GED submissions can still be submitted by the applicant, but must include the GED ID number.
  • New York State GEDs can be requested at: http://www.acces.nysed.gov/hse/duplicate-diplomas-andor-transcripts
  • If you received your GED in another U.S. State, contact that States Department of Education for information.
  • High School Equivalency (HSE) : A copy of your High School Equivalency
    1. New York HSEs can be requested at: http://www.acces.nysed.gov/hse/duplicate-diplomas-andor-transcripts
    2. If you received your HSE in another U.S. State, contact that States Department of Education for information.
• U.S. College and University Transcripts
  • Contact the Registrar's Office at every college you attended and request that they submit official transcripts to The Office of Teaching Initiative.
    1. If your transcript is issued under a different name, or will not include the identifiers listed above, you should ask the Registrar to include a cover letter with the required information.
• Foreign Documents (all applicants, including Teaching Assistants)
  • Information regarding the submission of foreign documents can be found at: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/evalforeigncred.html.
• Workshops (School Violence, Child Abuse, Autism, DASA)
  • School Violence: You must submit a copy of the workshop completion form you received when you completed your workshop. The form look like this: SAMPLE FORM.
  • Child Abuse: You must submit a copy of the workshop completion form you received when you completed your workshop. The form look like this: SAMPLE FORM.
  • Autism: You must submit a copy of the workshop completion form you received when you completed your workshop. The form look like this: SAMPLE FORM.
  • DASA: DASA completion forms are submitted by the provider. If your workshop does not appear on your TEACH account within 30 days of completion, contact the provider.
• Exams
  • Exams must be submitted directly from the testing company.
  • If your exams are not appearing on your account, make sure that the following identifiers are the same on your TEACH and NYSTCE accounts:
    1. First Name
    2. Last Name
    3. Birth Date
    4. Social Security Number
• Work Experience Documents
  • To verify your experience, have your employer complete the appropriate form found at: Add / Verify School Experience
• Certificates from other U.S. States or U.S. Territories
  • Submit a copy of every teaching certificate you have received in another U.S. State or Territory, including those that have expired.
  • NOTE: For States that do not print certifictes, a print-out of your certificate information from that State's certification account can be submitted.
• National Board Teaching Certificate
  • If the name on your National Board Teaching Certificate is the same as your TEACH account, you do not need to submit a copy.
  • If your name is different, you must submit a copy of your National Board Certificate for review.

Our Mailing Address

Office of Teaching Initiatives
NYS Education Department
89 Washington Ave, 5N EB 
Albany, New York 12234

All documents submitted to the Office of Teaching Initiatives should include your name as it appears on TEACH, the last four digits of your Social Security Number, and your birth date