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  • 1

    Choose Your Pathway

  • 2

    Steps to Certification

  • 3

    Get the Guide

  • 4

    Frequently Asked Questions

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!

There are a few scenarios where you might be able to start teaching right away:
 

  • You already have teaching experience. If you have previous experience, you may be able to fast-track or save money on your New York teacher certification! Download our guide to learn more.
  • You have career experience in your teaching subject, such as chemistry or math. If you’re a career changer, you may be able to start teaching right away through an alternative certification program!

    An alternative certification pathway lets you start teaching your own classroom while you earn your teaching certificate. You’ll earn a paycheck and take classes outside of school hours to get certified. Learn more about alternative certification.

In a traditional teaching program, you’ll typically take classes, then finish your program with an internship or student teaching placement—where you’ll work alongside an experienced mentor teacher in a classroom. This can be a good option if you:

  • Have less experience with students or your subject matter. 
  • Want more hands-on mentorship before you lead your own classroom. 

You can find teaching programs that let you earn a stand-alone teaching certificate (“certification-only” programs), or you can combine your certificate with a master’s degree! 

How to Earn Your New York Teaching Certificate

Once you know your route, you can start taking steps to get there. Here's what you'll need to do:
  1. 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.

    Explore NY certification areas.

  2. 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.

    Explore teaching programs.

  3. 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. 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. 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! 

    Create your NY.gov account.

  6. 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). Learn about 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. 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. 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

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

Get the Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about New York teacher certification!

Short answer: It depends.

Longer answer: Your total costs will vary depending on your teaching program and the tests required for your particular teaching certificate title. That said, here are some costs you can expect while you earn your initial teaching certificate:

  • Initial certificate (1): $50
  • Educating All Students test (2): $80
  • Content-specific exams (3): $122–$161

New York teachers have some of the highest pay in the nation! 

Starting salaries for New York teachers vary by region. For example, in New York City, teacher starting salaries average around $65,000. Statewide, the average is $48,000. 

Overall teacher salaries (including teachers who have been on the job for a while) average over $90,000 across New York. (4)

Learn more about NY teacher salaries and benefits.

If you’re certified to teach or you’ve completed a teaching program in another U.S. state or territory, you may qualify for New York certification. 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. Learn more.

If you have a bachelor’s degree from outside of the U.S., an approved foreign credential evaluation agency must evaluate your transcripts. The agency will determine the U.S. equivalents for your coursework and grades. This is called a “foreign credential report.” 

Your credential evaluation is one of several steps to earn your New York teaching certificate. Learn more.

It depends! You may qualify for other certification pathways or perks if any of these apply to you:

  • You’re a tradesperson. 
  • You’re an active military service member or active military spouse. 
  • You’ve completed a teaching program and have at least three years of successful teaching experience.
  • You’re certified in a shortage area subject and want to add a supplementary teaching certificate title.

What’s next

Interactive Feature

TeachNY Program Explorer

Find undergrad, graduate and alternative certification teaching programs in New York.

Learn more

Applications Made Easy | Teaching Certificate

Applying to teaching programs or jobs? Get step-by-step advice and free templates to make your application stand out.

Read More

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.

Read More

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How to Earn Your NY Teaching Certificate

Have a bachelor’s degree? Wondering how to get certified to teach? Read this page and download our Certification Guide!

Get the Certification GuideLearn About Certification Areas
A New York teacher looking up with a thoughtful expression. Next to her is an illustration of a college diploma.

References

  1. Application Fees: Apply for Certificate. Office of Teaching Initiatives, New York State Education Department. https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/fees.html
  2. Education for All Students. New York State Certification Examinations. https://www.nystce.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/NY201_TestPage.html
  3. Tests. New York State Certification Examinations. https://www.nystce.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_Tests.html
  4. Educator Pay Data. National Education Association. April 24, 2023. https://www.nea.org/resource-library/educator-pay-and-student-spending-how-does-your-state-rank