Apply for Certification

Step 1: Make Sure You Meet the Requirements for Certification

To determine the requirements for certification, go to NYSED Search Certification Requirements – an online search feature that allows candidates to identify the specific requirements one must meet for any given certificate.  To help you on the NYSED Search Certification site you can review the dropdown options and what to select for our Master of Science Programs and Advanced Certificate Programs.

After you select all the dropdowns and click search, choose the pathway ‘Approved Teacher Preparation Program’ and review the requirements for this pathway.

Step 2: How to Apply for Your Certificate

1. Login to TEACH
2. select TEACH Online Services
3. click on Apply for Certificate
4. Verify / Update Profile
5. Select Certificate(s) - Select your Certificate Title - select from each dropdown and add the certificate to the application. You can find certificate titles in the dropdown options for our Master of Science Programs and Advanced Certificate Program
6. Select Educational Preparation for this application only
   Do not check the box stating “No, I have not completed, nor am I enrolled in an Approved Teacher Preparation Program at a New York State College University for this certificate type.” By leaving the box unchecked, it will automatically select ‘Approved Teacher Preparation Program’ as the pathway.
7. Enter the program code. Find your program codes and credits. 
   The system will not ask for program code and bypass this part of the application process if the recommendation has already been entered. The TEACH system will associate your application directly with the college recommendation entered in your account (and thus the correct program code). The application automatically goes into the Approved Teacher Preparation Program pathway.
8. Select “I want my application to be reviewed by the State Education Department”.
9. Sign Affidavit
10. Confirm and Sign Application
11. Make Payment
12. Go back and apply for any additional certificates

Touro Workshops in TEACH & Transcripts

Not seeing the workshops you completed at Touro in your TEACH account? NYSED does not automatically list the workshops you completed. Once the college recommendations are entered into your TEACH account, all workshops that were part of the registered program you complete are automatically credited when you submit your application. For example, when you apply for the Initial certificate, the certificate will automatically credit the workshops. 

If you need workshops uploaded to TEACH as evidence of completing them, you can send in a copy of your official transcripts to OTI, the state agent will verify the coursework and list the workshops completed onto your TEACH account. Go to www.touro.edu/getmytranscript to send transcripts electronically. Please select the New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives through the vendor’s transcript portal.

To check if your transcripts have been received, Login to TEACH and go to TEACH Online Service → Account Information → Education. If the official transcripts are received, they will appear under the Verified Education section.

What to Expect Once You Have Submitted Your Application

How long is my application valid for?
Please note that applications submitted are valid for 2 evaluations or three years, whichever comes first.

I have submitted my application; how do I check what requirements have been met/unmet?
To determine what requirements are needed for your certifications, go to your TEACH account: 

• Login to TEACH → TEACH Online Service → Account Information → Certificates
• Click on ‘View Evaluation History’
• Click on the most recent evaluation under “History Type”
• This will bring you to the list of requirements that have been verified or unmet. 

You can check the status of your application at any time.

What if I applied for the certificate through the incorrect pathway?
To correct the pathway, email tcert@nysed.gov and type “pathway change” in the subject line and be sure to include the following identifying information:     

• Full name as it appears in TEACH
• Your date of birth
• Last four digits of your social security number
• Request that the pathway for the Initial certificate be changed to the pathway “Approved Teacher Preparation Program” (or to whichever pathway you are seeking)

Contact: Application and Test Score Questions

If you have questions regarding your application, please contact the NYSED/Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI) at tcert@nysed.gov or call 518-474-3901.  

Examination scores are reported directly to the NYSED. If you have questions regarding scores and reporting, please contact New York State Teaching Certification Examinations [NYSTCE].