Requirements for Professional Certification

Just as an individual applies for a first-level (Initial) certificate, one must apply for a second-level, (Professional) certificate prior to expiration of the first-level certificate. Initial certification is valid for 5 years from the issuance date printed on the certificate

Professional Certificate
An Initial classroom-teaching certificate in a classroom teaching title leads to the Professional certificate. Requirements for a Professional certificate are described in general terms below.

To qualify for a Professional certificate, you must have:

• Satisfied the requirements for the Initial certificate
• Three years of successful teaching experience in a public or nonpublic school. Experience may be in any grade or subject in the same certificate category (classroom teaching) in order to satisfy the requirement.*  (SBL candidates need 3 years of administrative experience).
• Completed a mentored experience. The first year of employment in a public school district under your Initial certificate must include a mentored experience.   For more information on mentoring, visit http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/faqmentoring.html
• A Master's or higher degree which has been awarded by a regionally accredited institution of higher education or from an institution authorized by the Regents to confer degrees. Below are three possible routes to an acceptable master’s degree.
  • Teacher Education Programs Leading to Another Certificate
    The Master’s degree may be based upon completing a teacher certification program leading to a certificate in a title other than that of the Initial certificate. The Master’s degree may be completed toward a classroom teaching, pupil personnel or supervisory/administrative certificate.
  • Master's Degree in the Initial Certificate Content or Related Areas
    The Master’s degree may also be in the same content area of the Initial certificate or in a closely related subject area.  For more information go to the New York State website www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/ topics A-Z, Related Master’s Degree Chart for Professional Certification.
  • Required Coursework for those with Unrelated Master's
    If the Master’s degree is in neither of the two above categories, the applicant for Professional certification must complete twelve graduate credits of graduate study in the content or related area of the Initial certificate. For more information visit http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/relatedmasters.html

The Professional certificate remains continuously valid, provided that the certificate holder completes the professional development requirement. The professional development period begins on July 1 following the effective date of your Professional teaching certificate.  A professional development year is July 1st - June 30th.

For more information on the required number of PD hours, and how to obtain and report the hours, visit http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/maintaincert-prof.html

*Paid, full-time Classroom Teaching experience - 3 Yrs Classroom teaching experience includes experience earned in a public or approved nonpublic preschool or elementary, middle, or secondary school. Claimed experience may be in any grade or subject. Experience that is not full time may be credited on a prorated basis. Teaching assistant experience is not applicable to this requirement. Note: Teachers working as substitutes in numerous districts may wish to have each district verify the experience by providing a short letter on district letterhead.

It is the students responsibility to stay current with state regulations regarding their certification.