Frequently Asked Questions
Regarding New York State Certification

Does  Hofstra University  automatically recommend me for certification for when I graduate?

No. Your Certification is a legal document through New York State and cannot be filed without consent and an online application from the student.   It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Office of Educational Support Services when getting ready to apply for certification.  Certification packets are available in room 129 Hagedorn Hall

When should I apply for my certification?

Requests for institutional recommendation should be submitted to the office of Educational Support Services in your final semester at Hofstra.  Certification information seminars are presented every semester at which time certification request forms will be distributed.   Please note:  Hofstra University cannot recommend you for certification until you complete your program in its entirety and you have been cleared for graduation.     **Candidates MUST file for graduation**

Once all of my final grades are in, how will I know if Hofstra Unversity recommended me for certification?

As long as the certification officer has all required documentation, the recommendation process will start on or shortly after the conferral date of your degree.  You will receive a blue postcard in the mail from the University letting you know  you were recommended for certification.  Please allow 2-3 weeks for Hofstra to recommend you for certification once all grades are in/degrees are conferred.   If you do not receive a postcard within 3-4 weeks of your degree being conferred, you may call the certification office to check on the status of your application.    You can also check your TEACH account for the status.

When I apply for certification am I able to get a letter from the college stating my pending certification?

Once you apply for certification the NYSED automatically issues a letter  (Transaction Summary) for your pending certification.   When your Institutional Recommendation form is submitted to the Office of Educational Support Services,  Hofstra University will mail you an orange postcard  stating your application was received by the university and it will be processed once your degree is conferred.   This postcard, along with your transaction summary, can be used for interviews.

Can I apply for certification even if all my State exams are not passed?

Hofstra University  recommends candidates for certification based on the completion (degree conferral) of the New York State registered program.      The university CAN recommend for certification even if all exams have not been  passed, unless the exams are a graduation requirement (SDL/SDBL programs).     If the exams are not passed, the certification will not  issue at the time of recommendation.     Once all exams are passed, the certification will be issued automatically.

Once I have my Initial Certification, how many years do I have to satisfy requirements for Professional certification?  What other requirements must I fulfill to become professionally certified?

Your Initial certificate is valid for 5 years.   You will have 5 years to complete 3 years of teaching experience and a Master’s degree.   Included in the 3 years of teaching, holders of the Initial must receive mentoring in their first year of teaching or school building leadership service in a public school district.   An exception to this requirement applies to certificate holders who have at least two years of teaching or educational leadership service, respectively, prior to receiving the Initial certificate.    For additional information on the mentoring requirement, please visit   http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/faqmentoring.html

What if I am unable to meet the requirements for Professional certification within the 5 year time frame?

The time validity of an expired Initial may be extended for two years from the date the certificate expired.   The State also offers the opportunity for a re-issuance of your certificate.

What is the professional development requirement?

Holders of a Professional teaching certificate for classroom teaching certificate are required to complete professional development hours to maintain the validity of their certificates. Professional certificate holders must complete 175 clock hours every five years.  For more information on PD hours visit: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/resteachers/175.html

If you have any questions regarding certification, Please contact the Office of Educational Support Services at 516-463-5747.