Certification

Applicants from Other States

Important

The Office of Teaching Initiatives can not determine eligibility for certification until an application has been submitted, and a review of your credentials has been completed.

New York State does not pre-approve teacher preparation programs completed in other U.S. States or Territories.

important

Select the statement that best describes you:


Specific Information Regarding (Click to see information):

  • Applicants with Foreign Credentials
  • Certificate Endorsements / Add-on Certificates
    • In many cases, endorsements / add-on certificates from other states do not satisfy the requirements for reciprocity in New York. Eligibility for certification through reciprocity cannot be determined until this office has a chance to review your credentials. To receive a review, you must apply for certification through TEACH online.
  • Pupil Personnel Certification (School Social Worker, School Psychologist, School Nursing, School Dental Hygiene, School Attendance Teacher)
    • Pupil Personnel Titles are not reviewed through reciprocity. Please select the “Individual Evaluation” pathway when applying for certification.
How to Apply
  1. To apply online, click Teach Online Services

  2. Upon completion of your application, apply for fingerprinting using your TEACH account.
    • For information about the fingerprint process, go to Fingerprinting .

  3. Official Transcripts: Contact the registrar's office of each college/university you attended and ask that they submit official transcripts to this office. How to Submit Documents

  4. If applicable, mail copies of your out-of-state certificates (including those that have expired) to tcert@nysed.gov. Please include your full name and birth date with your e-mail.

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


1. Program must be similar to a New York State-registered teacher preparation program completed at a New York State College/University. Comparability based on Official Compilation of Closed, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York (8 CRR-NY 52.21External Web Site).
2. Certificate must be active in the state of issuance.
3. A “regular” certificate, in a comparable subject area and similar grade-level, that has no limits/restriction, list of acceptable-level certificates.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024