Educator Certification

The Brooklyn College Preparation Programs lead to New York State certification.

Refer to this website and to the Office of Teaching Initiatives site for current information, as regulations may change over time. It is important to double check all information.

• Click here to go to your New York State Certification TEACH account or to create an account.

If you are not already receiving e-mail from Brooklyn College at your preferred e-mail address, you can update your address by going to the BC WebCentral Portal, then navigating to My Info > My Email and Text Message Subscriptions. Select the option for "news from institutional departments." Be sure your preferred email address has been selected in CUNYfirst as well. 

You must complete all of the following five steps for certification. You can complete the steps in any order. 

For more details on each requirement, see the information below and in the links.

• Complete your education requirement. 
• Complete your certification tests.
• Complete your mandated workshops.
• Complete your fingerprint clearance documentation.
• Complete your application for New York State certification.

Complete your education requirement. Before you complete your program you must file for a graduation audit on time

You must complete your program as one of your requirements for certification. To file for "graduation" / program completion, apply via your Self-Service area in CUNYfirst. Complete the instructions given in your degree audit letter. Your "graduation" / program completion must be confirmed by the registrar and Faculty Council.

Information about commencement ceremonies is available on the commencement website. 

Teaching Fellows and Teach for America students: Call 718.951.4800, and the staff will advise you on the steps needed.

All other students: Before you graduate, go to the New York State TEACH site and create an account or check your existing TEACH account.

If you do not receive confirmation by email that your recommendation for certification was entered by the timeline above, you can contact the Certification Officer. Refer to the expedited processing section below if needed.

Complete Your Certification Tests

Testing Resources and Information

Test "safety net" options: The test safety net is an option you can use to fulfill some of the New York State certification testing requirements if you can meet the safety net deadlines and requirements.  Be sure to check the rules, deadlines, and procedures at the Office of Teaching Initiatives website for current information and further updates.  

Check the safety net deadline chart.  Be sure to meet the deadline in the column on the right in the chart. You will need to meet the certification deadline for all of certification requirements for your certification area if you are using one or more of the safety net options. There are five certification requirements that you will need to complete by your certification requirement deadline if you are using the edTPA and/or CST test safety net options: education, tests, workshops, fingerprint clearance, and application fee as well as any other requirements for the certificate.

• EAS (Educating All Students): If your EAS test score is 500–519, and your score is marked "passing," this is the passing score using the safety net, and will be effective until the revised EAS is operational. We do not have a confirmed date yet for when the new EAS test will be released, but it is anticipated to be released in fall 2018. More information.

• edTPA: Check the passing scores . Be sure to follow the safety net rules and deadline if you don't pass and if you would like the option to take or use the ATS-W test. You may request a voucher to register for the ATS-W at no charge if you don't pass the edTPA. The safety net for the edTPA is in effect until June 30, 2018.   If you did not pass the ATS-W on, or before, April 30, 2014, and if you want to use the edTPA safety net, we recommend that you submit your edTPA no later than May 24, 2018 so that you receive your edTPA score by June 14, 2018, giving you time to register for the ATS-W and find a testing center to take the exam by June 30, 2018. It is preferable start the data transfer using your Tk20 account no later than May 17th, 2018.    Check this link for submission /reporting dates.  

•  More information. Check this as information as well: Multiple Measures Review Process (posted by NYSED in Feb. 2018) 

• CST (Content Specialty Test): If you didn't already take the "safety net" version of the test, the only subjects with a safety net test available now are social studies, Spanish, ESOL, and some other language tests. The CST multi-subject secondary grades 7–12 has a separate safety net procedure, there is no safety net test for this CST. There is no safety net test option for science subjects, music, and visual arts CST tests yet, as they have not been redeveloped. Check Safety Net CSTs. CST multi-subject grades 7–12: part two/math is due to be revised in fall 2018.
• ALST (Academic Literacy Skills Test): This test is no longer required.

New York State Certification Exams and Practice Material  

• Test prep webinars for NYSTCE tests: April 16 and 18, 2018.  
• CUNY resources for candidates and faculty, posted on Blackboard (pdf)
• New York State Certification Exams—Overview 
• CUNY teacher certification exam support resources
• Test preparation materials posted by NYSTCE
• FAQ about tests
• The edTPA handbook needed for each certification area (pdf) 
• For more information on finding a test site, go to Test Center Search or the Pearson website for New York State Teacher Certification Examinations, or call 800.989.8532.
• In fall 2018, the EAS test is due to be replaced with the EAS-II test.  

Tests required for first initial certification (if you are not already certified in New York State) for most certification areas:

Be sure you check the requirements for your certification area. 

If you are applying for certification related to your college program, check requirements for the "Pathway: Approved Teacher Preparation Program."

If you are applying for certification related to your dual certificate college program, for your first certification area, check "Pathway: Approved Teacher Preparation Program" and for your other certificate, check "Approved Teacher Preparation Program—Additional Certificate."

To check if your program leads to certification, you can refer to the college bulletin online: For undergraduate programs, click here. Graduate programs, click here. 

If you have New York State certification and will be applying for certification to teach another age group or subject:

If your certification is in effect (that is, it is valid, not expired, revoked, etc.), you should not need to complete the new certification tests unless you are applying for certification to teach another age group or subject.  

• If you will not be completing a master's degree that leads to certification for the new certification area you want, follow these instructions. 
• If you will be completing a master's degree that leads to certification for the certificate you want, you can check requirements at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert under the heading "Pathway: Approved Teacher Prep Program—Additional Certificate." For more information, read the information below.

For more information you can contact the certification officer. 

• edTPA:
  • Most students will work on the tasks for this assessment during student teaching. Handbooks and rubrics for this assessment will be provided using Tk20. 
  • When you are working on the edTPA, you can use these permission forms: Guidance on videotaping requirements for teacher candidates (pdf). 
  • You can submit your final tasks for evaluation using Tk20 as your "Integrated edTPA platform provider."
  • Click here for the TK20 Guide for edTPA Candidates for more information. 
  • Check the portfolio section or your Tk20 account for your handbook and materials.
  • The 2017–18 handbooks were uploaded to Tk20 in August 2017.
  • If you need a handbook, e-mail the staff at the Tk20 Brooklyn College Helpdesk and ask for the specific handbook subject you need.
  • Beginning with the September 28, 2017 submission (for October 19, 2017 reporting), candidates in these fields must use the 2017–18 edTPA handbooks: Classical Languages, Elementary Education, Elementary Literacy, Literacy Specialist, Special Education, and World Languages.
  • If you are not already certified, and you need to pass the edTPA for certification, you will need to complete the edTPA for your first initial certification area only.
  • If you are already certified, you may not need to complete the edTPA. Please read the information in the section above, "If you have New York State certification."
  • Check the Passing scores 
  •  More information about safety net options.  Be sure to follow the procedures posted.
  • Check this as information as well: Multiple Measures Review Process (posted by NYSED in Feb. 2018)
• EAS: Educating All Students Test If your EAS test score is 500–519, and your score is marked "passing," this is the passing score using the safety net, and will be effective until  the revised EAS is operational. We do not have a confirmed date yet for when the new EAS test will be released, but it is anticipated to be released in fall 2018. More information.
• CST: Content Specialty Test. Also check Safety Net CSTs.  Note: at this time, the CST multi-subject and safety net multi-subject test is still acceptable for both childhood and early childhood teacher certification. The safety net tests have a certification deadline, as described above. The CST multi-subject grades 7–12: part two/math, is due to be revised in fall 2018.
• SBL: School Building Leader assessment and SDL: School District Leader assessment. Only for candidates for this program. Note that the EAS test is required for School Building and School District leader certification. 
• PRAXIS II: for professional certification, speech-language pathology only. 
• The ALST (Academic Literacy Skills Test)  is no longer required.

Complete Your Mandated Workshops

Workshops are a required component of your program. If you have not taken the workshops, refer to the workshop information. Your workshops must be verified by the certification officer before your recommendation for certification can be entered by Brooklyn College.

Complete Your Fingerprint Clearance Documentation

After your fingerprint records have been processed, check your TEACH account to check if your fingerprint status is posted there. Look for a line that states "We have received your fingerprint information from NYC" or "Your DCJS and FBI Records Have Been Received," which may appear above the "fingerprinting" header. If you see this note, then your records have been received and you do not need to follow up. Your current clearance status will not be posted there.

If you see a note on your TEACH account that states "Teach does not have your fingerprint information..." or if your records are not posted, and if you already processed your fingerprint records with the NYCDOE, then you need to release your New York City records so they can be posted on your TEACH account. Be sure to allow time for this process before you need New York State certification. Print and send in an OSPRA 104 form (pdf). If the information in section two of the OSPRA 104 form does not apply to you, you can leave it blank. Allow about one month for your records to be processed, and then check your TEACH account to be sure your fingerprint records were received. Look for a line that states "We have received your fingerprint information from NYC," which may appear above the "fingerprinting" header. If you see this note, then your records have been received and you do not need to follow up. Your current clearance status will not be posted there.

Complete Your Application for New York State Certification

Complete and pay for your application online using your New York State TEACH account. 

• Access your TEACH account:
• Complete your registration
• Verify and update your profile.
• Select your certificate. Refer to the Student Information Sheet  if needed for your application program code.
• Choose the correct certificate type: For teachers, initial, or professional. See below for school psychologists and school counselors.
• Initial Certification: If you have less than three years of experience.
• Professional Certification: You need three or more years of paid experience and a master's degree in the content area of the initial certificate or in a closely related subject area. You may need one year of mentored experience. If you are working in a NYCDOE school, you can contact the Mentoring Office to ask for your mentoring verification to be entered electronically. You can write to MentorVerification@schools.nyc.gov. You will need INS Permanent Residence or U.S. citizenship. For your professional certification requirements, check the certification requirements. Also refer to the details in the Experience Requirements for Certification. Be sure to file the Verification of Experience form after you have completed the experience requirement for any of your certificate areas if you don't already have professional certification. The experience form for teachers and PPS titles is available here.
• Enter the program code that is directly related to the certification are for your program using the codes on the Student Information Sheet. The program code must match your undergraduate or graduate program area. For certification in a different age group or subject, follow these instructions.
• Select: "I want my application to be reviewed by the State Education Department."
• Make your payment by credit card (highly advised, rather than by using a money order). Keep records of your payment and transaction summary. Check your application from time to time to see that the data is being processed. 
• You don't need to send transcripts to OTI if you will be getting a recommendation for certification from the college to confirm completion of your program. 
• Check your application summary. If you do not have your "institutional recommendation" related to your college program for certification yet, and if your program has been completed, you can contact the certification officer. 

School psychologists and school counselors: Select provisional and/or permanent certification as appropriate. Check your certification requirements. Be sure to file the Verification of Experience form after you have completed the experience requirement. The experience form for teachers and PPS titles is available here .

School counseling only: for permanent certification: two years of experience plus education (such as the advanced certificate program at Brooklyn College), and INS Permanent Residence or U.S. citizenship required.

School psychology only: for permanent certification: two years or experience and INS Permanent Residence or U.S. citizenship required.

School District Leader candidates only: You will need to send official sealed transcripts to the New York State Department of Education Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI) to show completion of both of your master's degrees, educational leadership, and your other master's program. You will need to order a Brooklyn College transcript and submit your transcripts following these instructions. Transcripts are kept on file by OTI for about three years.

For professional School Building Leader and School District Leader certification, here is a link to the experience form currently required: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/pdf/ot-verificationexperience-permprof-sas-sbl-accessible.pdf    

If you are applying for certification that is not directly related to your certification program, review these instructions for additional certification.

What's Next

Your recommendation for certification will be entered by the certification officer according to the timeline above if possible, provided your mandated workshops have been verified and your graduation has been confirmed by the registrar and Faculty Council. Monitor your TEACH account. If you need expedited processing, see the instructions below.

Initial (or provisional) Certificates

Initial (or provisional) certificate effective dates are posted after your application is evaluated. Read this information about expedited service. You will not automatically receive a printed certificate, but you can refer to your effective dates on your account online. For more information, click here. You can print out your account status by going to your TEACH account and printing out your certificate information. Certification can also be confirmed by going to the "Certificate Holder Lookup" link on the OTI site. Initial and provisional certificates are valid for five years.

Be sure not to let your initial or provisional certification expire. Make sure to review the information on related programs that meet the requirements for professional certification, and check this information about the mentored experience requirement. 

You will also need to complete the work experience requirement, have INS Permanent Residence or U.S. citizenship, and any other requirements needed before your certificate expires. 

If your certificate is going to expire soon or has expired, you will need to apply for a time extension and/or initial reissuance (or provisional renewal) certificate. 

You may need to complete new requirements if your certificate expires. Be sure to check the requirements for certification well before that time since rules and procedures are subject to change. 

Refer to this memo for information about expired certification. The time validity of an expired Provisional Pupil Personnel Service Initial or Transitional certificate may be extended for three years. 

Professional (or Permanent) Certificates

You must allow about three months for your application to be evaluated. A printed certificate will be sent to you, and you can verify your effective dates on your TEACH account. Certification can also be confirmed by going to the "Certificate Holder Lookup" link on the OTI site. 

Once you have your professional certification, you must complete 100 hours of continuing teacher and leader education during the five-year registration period. You must also register with the New York State Department of Education Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI) every five years. Read this notice. 

All Certificate Holders

Any change of name or address for a certificate holder must be updated  in the TEACH system within 30 days.

Expedited Processing

If you need written confirmation of your expected date of degree conferral for your employer before the timeline detailed above, you can request a statement of graduation as long as you have met all degree requirements. Refer to your degree audit letter. 

You can request a statement of graduation letter about two weeks before your expected date of program completion. You can ask to pick up your letter rather than having it mailed to save time. You can send a copy to the certification officer if you need expedited certification processing.

Also read this information about expedited service from the New York State Department of Education for your application.