New York Teacher Certification

Short answer: No. 

Longer answer: There are different types of teaching certificates you can apply for, depending on what you want to teach. 

For example, if you want to teach a shortage area subject, you may be able to start teaching right away in an alternative certification program. You’ll lead your own classroom and take classes outside of school hours to earn your New York teaching certificate. To teach through an alternative certification program, you’ll need what’s called a Transitional Certificate. 

For certain subjects, such as career and technical education, you’ll need a teaching certificate—but you may not need a degree, if you have career experience in a trade.

New York has a number of different teaching certificates for different backgrounds and circumstances. For most people, the two most relevant types will be an initial certificate and a professional certificate. You’ll earn an initial certificate to start.

To advance to a professional certificate, you’ll need to gain years of experience and meet certain criteria, such as earning a master’s degree. (1)

In New York, an initial teaching certificate is valid for five years.

Want to advance to a professional teaching certificate, but need more time to complete the requirements? You can get your initial certificate reissued up to two times. (2)

It depends on the type of teaching program you choose and where you are currently! If you earn a teaching certificate along with your bachelor’s degree, you can expect it to take about four years (give or take). 

If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can typically complete a certificate-only program in a year or less. A master’s degree + teaching certificate program may take longer, usually one to three years.

If you’re certified to teach or you’ve completed a teaching program in another U.S. state or territory, you may qualify for a teaching certificate in New York! This is called “reciprocity.” 

To qualify, your teaching certificate must be in a subject area that is comparable to a New York teaching certificate title. Depending on your experience and certification subject, you may be able to waive New York state certification tests. 

Learn more about out-of-state-certification.