Choose your pathway
With a bachelor's, you’ll need to decide if you want to start teaching right away, or finish a teaching program before you lead your own classroom.
Get an overview here, and download our free guide for more details!
How to Earn Your New York Teaching Certificate
- 1
Decide what you want to teach.
Before you enroll in a teaching program, you’ll need to know the subject and grade level you want to teach. These will determine your teaching certificate title.
- 2
Look for state-approved teaching programs.
Make sure to look for programs that are state-approved and offer your chosen teaching certificate title! You can find either certificate-only or combined master’s degree + certificate teaching programs.
New York requires all teachers to eventually earn a master’s degree. That said, certificate-only programs are typically faster than master’s programs—so you can choose to earn your teaching certificate first, and get your master’s later.
- 3
Apply to teaching programs and enroll.
If your degree is in a subject other than the one you want to teach, you may also need to take a few additional classes before you begin. Check your program’s coursework requirements!
TeachNY can help you save money on teaching program applications! We’ll reimburse up to $100 for any expenses required for you to apply to a teaching program (like application fees, transcript fees and more). Get $100 back.
- 4
Finish your teaching program.
Most graduate programs take one to two years, depending on your chosen subject and whether you’re earning a master’s.
- 5
Create an NY.gov TEACH account.
You’ll need an NY.gov TEACH account to apply for your teaching certificate and store materials like test scores and fingerprinting. This is different from your TeachNY account!
- 6
Pass certification tests.
You’ll have to take a few tests to show you’re ready to lead your own classroom. These exams will cover your chosen teaching subject, as well as your knowledge of teaching principles (also called pedagogy). Prepare for New York certification tests.
When do you take the tests? It depends on your program! Different teaching programs will have you take your tests at different times—but you’ll often complete this step as you get close to graduation, or after you finish.
- 7
Complete other certification tasks.
In addition to the other certification steps, you’ll need to complete a fingerprint background check. New York also requires teachers to complete mandated reporting training, as well as training on how to combat and prevent harassment, bullying and violence.
Most teaching programs include these workshops as part of their curriculum! If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to complete the workshops separately.
- 8
Submit your teaching certificate application to the state.
Almost there! First, your teaching program will need to confirm that you’re eligible to apply for your certificate. Once you get confirmation, you’ll submit all your materials through your NY.gov TEACH account.
Get the Free Guide
The TeachNY Certification Guide has everything you need to start your journey. Get details about teaching pathways, certification areas and steps to certification, all in one place!
It’s all free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s next
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Read MoreReferences
- Application Fees: Apply for Certificate. Office of Teaching Initiatives, New York State Education Department. https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/fees.html
- Education for All Students. New York State Certification Examinations. https://www.nystce.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/NY201_TestPage.html
- Tests. New York State Certification Examinations. https://www.nystce.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_Tests.html
- Teacher Salary and Benefits at NYC Public Schools. NYC Public Schools. https://teachnyc.net/why-teach-nycps/salary-benefits
- Educator Pay Data. National Education Association. April 29, 2025. https://www.nea.org/resource-library/educator-pay-and-student-spending-how-does-your-state-rank
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