Choose Your Teaching Certificate Title

Before you enroll in a teaching program, you’ll need to decide what you want to teach—the subject and age group. These will determine your teaching certificate title.

On this page, we’ll go over your options!

1
What’s a teaching certificate title?
2
How do I choose a title?
3
What titles can I earn?
4
Get the Certification Guide

What is a teaching certificate title?

A New York high school math teacher leads a lesson written on a blackboard with his class.

A quick note on language: Your teaching certificate is the document that lets you teach in a New York classroom. Your teaching certificate title refers to the specific subjects and grade levels you’re qualified to teach.

You can have titles in multiple subjects, and you can add titles throughout your career!

How do I choose a teaching certificate title?

If you already know what subject you want to teach, jump to the next section.

Not sure or open to different subjects? Click on the tabs to see how you can maximize your job opportunities.

In some cases, you may have multiple teaching certificate titles to choose from. For example, if you want to teach seventh, eighth or ninth grade math, you could either earn a math certificate for grades 5–9 OR a certificate for grades 7–12.

What certificate titles can I earn?

Once you know the grade and subject you want to teach, you can select your teaching certificate title. Click the tabs to explore your options.

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Childhood Education (Grades 1–6)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)
Early Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 2)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
English Language Arts (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
English Language Arts (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Literacy (Grades PreK–12)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)
Social Studies (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
Social Studies (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Dance (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Music (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Theater (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Visual Art (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Biology (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
Biology (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Chemistry (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
Chemistry (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Computer Science (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Earth Science (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
Earth Science (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Mathematics (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
Mathematics (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Physics (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
Physics (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Health Education (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Physical Education (Grades PreK–12)	✅	New York City

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Blind and Visually Impaired (Grades PreK–12)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)
Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Grades PreK–12)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)
Speech and Language Disabilities (Grades PreK–12)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)
Students with Disabilities (Birth–Grade 2)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)
Students with Disabilities (Grades 1–6)	✅	Statewide
Students with Disabilities (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Students with Disabilities (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide

In general, world languages are a statewide shortage area. That said, not all languages are shortage areas in all parts of New York. For example, French might be a shortage area in one region, but not a shortage area in another.

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Afrikaans (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Albanian (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
American Sign Language (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
American Sign Language (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Arabic (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
Arabic (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Armenian (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Bengali (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Cantonese (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Cantonese (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Chinese (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Chinese (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Czechoslovakian (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Dutch (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Farsi (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
French (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
French (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
German (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
German (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Greek (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Greek (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Haitian Creole (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Hebrew (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Hebrew (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Hindi (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Hungarian (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Irish (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Italian (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Italian (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Japanese (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Japanese (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Korean (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Latin (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Latin (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Mandarin (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Mandarin (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Polish (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Portuguese (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Punjabi (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Rumanian (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Russian (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Russian (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Spanish (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Spanish (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Swahili (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Swedish (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Tagolog (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Ukrainian (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Urdu (Grades 5–9) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Urdu (Grades 7–12) You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.	✅	Statewide
Vietnamese (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Architecture & Construction (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Arts, A/V Construction & Communications (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Business Management & Administration (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Education & Training (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Health Sciences (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Hospitality & Tourism (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Human Services (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Information Technology (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Manufacturing (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Vehicle Maintenance & Repair (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Agriculture (Grades PreK–12)
Bilingual Education (Grades PreK–12) This is an add-on certificate. You must first get certified in another area, like elementary education or a specific subject.	✅	Statewide
Business & Marketing (Grades PreK–12)
English to Speakers of Other Languages (Grades PreK–12)
Family & Consumer Science (Grades PreK–12)
Indigenous Language & Culture (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Library Science (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Technology Education (Grades PreK–12)

Get the Certification Guide

An open laptop. On the screen is the cover the New York Certification Guide.

Keep a list of certificate titles handy, and get step-by-step details on pathways to teaching and how to get certified in New York.

It’s all free in our Certification Guide!

Get the Guide

What’s next

Alternative Teacher Certification in New York

If you have a bachelor’s degree, you may be able to start teaching right away. Learn how TeachNY can help you get started.

Career Coaching in New York

Talk to an experienced local educator about how to become a certified teacher in New York. Get free advice on how to choose what subject and grade to teach and apply to the right program.

Chart of Classroom Teaching Certificate Titles. Office of Teaching Initiatives, New York State Education Department. https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/classroomtitles.html

Sign Up for Free Resources

Enter your email to get FREE resources for future New York teachers—from tailored advising to funding opportunities and more. Already signed up? Sign in at the top of the page to access your dashboard.

What is a teaching certificate title?

You can have titles in multiple subjects, and you can add titles throughout your career!

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Childhood Education (Grades 1–6)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)
Early Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 2)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
English Language Arts (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
English Language Arts (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Literacy (Grades PreK–12)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)
Social Studies (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
Social Studies (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Dance (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Music (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Theater (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Visual Art (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Biology (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
Biology (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Chemistry (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
Chemistry (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Computer Science (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Earth Science (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
Earth Science (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Mathematics (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
Mathematics (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Physics (Grades 5–9)	✅	Statewide
Physics (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Health Education (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Physical Education (Grades PreK–12)	✅	New York City

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Blind and Visually Impaired (Grades PreK–12)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)
Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Grades PreK–12)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)
Speech and Language Disabilities (Grades PreK–12)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)
Students with Disabilities (Birth–Grade 2)	✅	New York City, Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)
Students with Disabilities (Grades 1–6)	✅	Statewide
Students with Disabilities (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Students with Disabilities (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide

Certificate Title

Shortage Area?

Where is this a shortage area?

Afrikaans (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Albanian (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

American Sign Language (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

American Sign Language
(Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Arabic (Grades 5–9)

✅

Statewide

Arabic (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Armenian (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Bengali (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Cantonese (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Cantonese (Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Chinese (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Chinese (Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Czechoslovakian (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Dutch (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Farsi (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

French (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

French (Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

German (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

German (Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Greek (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Greek (Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Haitian Creole (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Hebrew (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Hebrew (Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Hindi (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Hungarian (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Irish (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Italian (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Italian (Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Japanese (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Japanese (Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Korean (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Latin (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Latin (Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Mandarin (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Mandarin (Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Polish (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Portuguese (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Punjabi (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Rumanian (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Russian (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Russian (Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Spanish (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Spanish (Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Swahili (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Swedish (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Tagolog (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Ukrainian (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Urdu (Grades 5–9)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Urdu (Grades 7–12)

You can also earn a title to teach this subject to students with disabilities.

✅

Statewide

Vietnamese (Grades 7–12)

✅

Statewide

Get the Certification Guide

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Architecture & Construction (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Arts, A/V Construction & Communications (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Business Management & Administration (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Education & Training (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Health Sciences (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Hospitality & Tourism (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Human Services (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Information Technology (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Manufacturing (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide
Vehicle Maintenance & Repair (Grades 7–12)	✅	Statewide

Certificate Title	Shortage Area?	Where is this a shortage area?
Agriculture (Grades PreK–12)
Bilingual Education (Grades PreK–12) This is an add-on certificate. You must first get certified in another area, like elementary education or a specific subject.	✅	Statewide
Business & Marketing (Grades PreK–12)
English to Speakers of Other Languages (Grades PreK–12)
Family & Consumer Science (Grades PreK–12)
Indigenous Language & Culture (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Library Science (Grades PreK–12)	✅	Statewide
Technology Education (Grades PreK–12)

Keep a list of certificate titles handy, and get step-by-step details on pathways to teaching and how to get certified in New York.

It’s all free in our Certification Guide!

Before you enroll in a teaching program, you’ll need to decide what you want to teach—the subject and age group. These will determine your teaching certificate title.

On this page, we’ll go over your options!

How do I choose a title?

What titles can I earn?

Get the Certification Guide

What is a teaching certificate title?

How do I choose a teaching certificate title?

Statewide

New York City

Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)

Consider a PreK–Grade 12 subject

What certificate titles can I earn?

Elementary & Early Childhood

Certificate Title

Shortage Area?

Where is this a shortage area?

Humanities

Certificate Title

Shortage Area?

Where is this a shortage area?

Fine Arts

Certificate Title

Shortage Area?

Where is this a shortage area?

Math & Science

Certificate Title

Shortage Area?

Where is this a shortage area?

Physical Education & Health

Certificate Title

Shortage Area?

Where is this a shortage area?

Students with Disabilities

Certificate Title

Shortage Area?

Where is this a shortage area?

World Languages

Certificate Title

Shortage Area?

Where is this a shortage area?

Career & Technical Education

Certificate Title

Shortage Area?

Where is this a shortage area?

Academic Specialty

Certificate Title

Shortage Area?

Where is this a shortage area?

Get the Certification Guide

What’s next

Alternative Teacher Certification in New York

Career Coaching in New York

References

Sign Up for Free Resources

Before you enroll in a teaching program, you’ll need to decide what you want to teach—the subject and age group. These will determine your teaching certificate title.

On this page, we’ll go over your options!

How do I choose a title?

What titles can I earn?

Get the Certification Guide

What is a teaching certificate title?

How do I choose a teaching certificate title?

Statewide

New York City

Big Four (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers)

Consider a PreK–Grade 12 subject

What certificate titles can I earn?

Elementary & Early Childhood

Certificate Title

Shortage Area?

Where is this a shortage area?

Humanities

Certificate Title

Shortage Area?

Where is this a shortage area?

Fine Arts

Certificate Title

Shortage Area?

Where is this a shortage area?

Math & Science

Certificate Title