On this page, we’ll go over all the steps to get certified to teach in New York, plus answer some commonly asked questions about certification. Let’s dive in!
How to earn your New York teaching certificate
- 1
Earn a bachelor’s degree.
You’ll have to earn a degree to teach most subjects. Choose a major that matches the subject you want to teach.
Many programs combine a teaching certificate with a bachelor’s degree, so you can get certified while you finish your undergraduate coursework.
If you have vocational experience, you may also be able to teach a Career & Technical Education subject without a degree.
- 2
Decide what you want to teach, and choose the teaching certificate you want to earn.
The teaching certificate you earn will depend on the subject and grade level you want to teach. At any level, getting certified in a shortage area subject—such as special education, science or bilingual education—provides more job opportunities.
Explore your certification options at our Certification Areas page.
Keep in mind that you can often accomplish steps 1 and 2 at the same time!
- 3
Apply to a teaching program and enroll.
It is important to check with your advisor to make sure the teaching program at your school offers your chosen certification area.
If you’re not already enrolled in a college with a teaching program, you can find programs with the TeachNY Program Explorer.
- 4
Pass New York State teacher certification tests.
As a future teacher, you’ll need to pass a few tests to show you’re ready to teach your own classroom. Getting certified in New York usually includes one or more exams from the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) program.
Testing requirements can also vary based on the specific certificate you decide to pursue, such as math or elementary education.
- 5
Submit your teaching certificate application to the state.
Almost there! First, your teaching program will need to confirm you’re eligible to apply for your certificate. Once you get confirmation, you’ll create an NY.gov ID TEACH account to submit your certificate application.
You’ll need to submit the teaching certificate application fee and documentation of your education and test scores. This could include:
- Official transcripts from all degree programs you’ve completed (bachelor’s, master’s and other post-high school programs).
- Official test scores from your certification exams.
- Verification from your teaching program that you’re eligible to apply for certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
What’s next
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 MoreFinancial Support for Future Teachers in New York
Want to become a teacher? Don't let finances stop you. We can help with scholarships for tuition and reimbursement for program costs.
Read MoreSign 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.
References
- 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
