New York Teacher Certification Exams
Prospective teachers in New York have can use the NYSTCE exams to receive their teacher certification.
New York Teacher Certification Requirements
To become a teacher in New York, you must complete the follow steps:
Meet Education Requirements
- Obtaining a teaching certification in New York requires a bachelor’s degree. Your degree does not need to be in Education, but it should align with your desired teaching subject.
- New York ultimately requires teachers to earn a master’s degree within the first five years of obtaining initial licensure.
Educator Preparation Program
- Normally this is combined into your undergraduate degree.
- If you did not complete an undergraduate degree with an education-focus, there are standalone teacher training programs that can be found through NYSED.
Student Teaching Requirements
- Obtaining teaching certification in New York requires 100 hours of teaching experience, including 15 hours of teaching students with disabilities.
- Students must gain teaching experience in their desired teaching subject and grade level.
Pass Required Exams
- Candidates seeking initial teaching certification in New York must pass several general and subject-specific tests.
- These include the edTPA, the Educating All Students exam, and content specialty tests.
Apply for Certification
- Students can apply for teaching certification in New York through an online TEACH account. The application process requires students to verify correct contact information, answer moral character questions, and submit the supporting documents necessary to obtain certification.
- Candidates must also pass a fingerprint clearance..
Apply for Teaching Jobs
- Teaching in New York is competitive and profitable.
- New York teachers are among the highest-paid educators in the United States.
Most popular New York Teacher Certification Exams
Teachers in New York must pass the required NYSTCE exams to receive their teacher certification.
Non-Traditional Paths
New York State also offers an alternative preparation model aimed at mature, second-career professionals. Alternative programs are offered by colleges with local school partners. They feature an accelerated introductory component, followed by paid employment, with extensive mentoring, coursework and other supports from the college and school district.
For information about transitional programs for applicants holding an undergraduate degree in the subject of the certification, contact one of the institutions Offering Alternative Teacher Preparation (Transitional B) Programs.
For information about transitional programs for applicants holding a graduate degree in the subject of the certification, contact one of the institutions Offering Alternative Teacher Preparation (Transitional C) Programs .
How to Register For the Exams?
You can follow the following steps to register for your teacher certification exams:
- Identify Your Exams: Determine the specific teacher certification exams you need to take. If you are a part of a certification program you should talk to your program advisor to determine which exams you need to take.
- Create an Account: Visit the official testing service website and create an account.
- Select Exam and Date: Login, choose your exam, and select a convenient test date and location.
- Complete Registration: Follow instructions, provide necessary information, and pay exam fees online.
How To Study for Your Teacher Certification Exam(s)
To become a certified teacher you must pass your required exam(s). Luckily, we offer a wide variety of study guides to help you pass your exams and get closer to getting that teacher certificate. Our study guides offer practice questions, video lessons, quizzes and full length practice tests to ensure you are ready come test day! Our curriculum team studies all of the standards and competencies for the exams and cross-references them with the current and previous questions released by the official testing company. We then work with content and teaching experts to distill down what test-takers need to know. No matter where you are in the study guide, you can always see how the concept you are learning is aligned to the test standards.
How Do I Maintain Teaching Certification in New York?
Initial teaching certification in New York is valid for five years. Teachers must earn a master’s degree within five years of initial certification and accumulate three full years of classroom teaching experience and one year of mentored teaching to qualify for a professional certificate. If they do not meet these requirements within five years, they can apply for a one-time reissuance of their initial certification.
Best Education Schools in New York
- Teachers College, Columbia University
- New York University (Steinhardt)
- University at Buffalo–SUNY
- Syracuse University
- Binghamton University–SUNY
- University at Albany–SUNY
- St. John’s University
- University of Rochester (Warner)
- Fordham University
- Long Island University
- Hofstra University
New York Teacher Salary Information
The average Public School Teacher salary in New York, NY is $67,682 as of March 26, 2024, but the range typically falls between $56,507 and $82,566.
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New York Teacher Certification FAQs
How long does it take to become a teacher in New York?
A traditional bachelor’s degree route takes 4 years; a higher-education/teacher preparation course takes 4 years.
Can you be a teacher in NYS without a teaching degree?
New York requires that all teachers earn a bachelor’s degree. The specific degree field depends on your area of interest. Graduates must also complete a state-approved teacher preparation program, often part of the degree program itself.
Is it hard to get a teaching job in NY?
Although the application process for teaching jobs in NYC is generally competitive, there are many opportunities available, especially if you teach a high-demand subject, such as science, math, or languages, or are interested in teaching in a high-needs area of the city.
Can you substitute teach in NY without a degree?
Those looking to substitute teach should hold state teacher certification or evidence of study towards one to be able to teach in any capacity. Those without a background in teaching can still substitute but can’t work more than 40 days per year in the same school district.
Does New York State need teachers?
The state needs approximately 180,000 new teachers over the next decade to meet workforce needs.
