New York Teacher Certification

New York State Teacher Certification Guidelines

The Internet’s best and most comprehensive free website for everything you need to know about teacher certification and workshop training.

For Students enrolled in Education/Teaching programs:

The New York State Education Department’s Office of Teaching Initiatives provides comprehensive information regarding the teacher certification process in New York State, including an FAQ page that will answer most of your questions.

Teacher Certification Requirements: How and When

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires teachers to obtain certification before they can teach. Remember, it is your responsibility to stay current on deadlines for graduation, New York State Teacher’s Certification Examinations (NYSTCE), certification applications, and requirements.

The steps to certification for students of a four-year (or similar) program:

Step One: Academic Preparation

You must complete a NYSED-approved programs of study in education, including an acceptable academic major, the required pedagogical coursework, student teaching placements, and a conferred degree upon graduation.

Step Two: Fingerprinting

NYSED requires that the Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability (OSPRA) conduct fingerprint-supported criminal history background checks for applicants for teacher certification and all prospective employees of school districts, charter schools, and BOCES.

Most school districts expect the candidate to provide verification that they have been fingerprinted and have passed a criminal history background check prior to beginning a sustained field experience and/or student teaching placement.

If you are considering becoming a certificated teacher in another state, you are advised to consult their fingerprinting regulations since New York’s fingerprinting clearance is not transferrable to other states, nor is another state’s fingerprint clearance accepted in New York. If you do not choose to apply for fingerprint clearance in New York, please know that your placement for field experiences or student teaching may not be in a school/district in proximity to campus since most local school districts do require student teachers to be fingerprinted. Your Education Department will often attempt to provide a local placement, but may have to resort to one more remote from campus.  Talk to your department advisor about this long before your field experience comes up to get a good placement.  Some of them may even offer a small stipend.  

The Education Department strongly recommends that candidates, including incoming transfer students, who will be required to participate in field experiences or student teaching be fingerprinted the semester prior to beginning that field experience or student teaching.

This message is very important for you if you have not yet been fingerprinted for your TEACH account:

MorphoTrust is a private vendor contracted by New York State to handle the fingerprinting requirements for educators, governmental offices, and other services that require fingerprint clearance.

MorphoTrust maintains service centers throughout New York and other states. The candidate makes an appointment at one of the centers through a web-based online system. Location of the centers may be found at www.IdentoGo.com. (Select NY and then click on Locations.)

Details are:

On the MorphoTrust system, you will be asked for an ORI number. Use TEACH as this code.

The candidate is responsible for making an appointment for one of the MorphoTrust centers. The entire fingerprinting application and fee will be managed by MorphoTrust. Access the online application using the link above. When completing the online application, you may pay by credit card. As an alternative, you could complete the application at your appointment site. If you choose to complete the application on-site, you must pay by either check or cash.

There is a fee of slightly more than $100. This amount is for the New York Department of Criminal Justice, FBI, and MorphoTrust fees.

Bring two forms of identification to your fingerprinting appointment. One form must be an identification photo (e.g., driver’s license).

For those who do not reside in New York, but will need to be fingerprinted for student teaching in any state, you may make an appointment at a MorphoTrust location in New York.

If fingerprints are rejected due to poor-quality prints and a reprint appointment is necessary, there will be no additional charge.

Check your TEACH account about the status of your fingerprint application.

Check the following link for an FAQ on fingerprinting: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tsei/ospra/.

If you choose to be fingerprinted, then please know that the candidate is fully responsible for getting fingerprinted in a timely manner so that clearance is received PRIOR to student teaching.

What if I have been fingerprinted for employment before?

“It depends on why you were fingerprinted. If you were fingerprinted after July 1, 2001 and you submitted your fingerprints to the NYSED pursuant to the SAVE Legislation, then you do not need to be fingerprinted again for subsequent employment in a covered school, irrespective of whether you ever worked there, or for subsequent applications for certification. If you were fingerprinted for another type of employment, such as a daycare worker, security guard, a police officer, etc., you need to be fingerprinted again.”

(http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tsei/ospra/faqfc.html#fourtytwo)

If you are unsure if your fingerprints have been processed through the NYSED, you can call OSPRA at: (518) 473-2998.

Fingerprinting and student teaching

The NYSED’s website contains a chart showing who is exempt from fingerprinting. That chart includes the statement:

“unpaid student teachers are treated like volunteers and, therefore, are not subject to fingerprinting”

(http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tsei/ospra/fingerprintingcharts.html)

With the idea of providing a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, etc., most area school districts require a candidate to be fingerprinted in order to student teach in one of their schools. If you request a student teaching placement in one of those districts and have yet to be fingerprinted under NYSED’s SAVE legislation requirements (see above) then it will be expected that you will be fingerprinted in the semester prior to the start of student teaching. If you choose not to be fingerprinted at this time, then please understand that your student teaching placements may not occur in a school/district in proximity to campus since most local school districts do require student teachers to be fingerprinted.

Step Three: Mandated Workshop Requirements

You are required to take these online courses at www.nysedworkshop.com  

There are three modules that are required for everyone and then one that is optional (but recommended):

Child Abuse Workshop – also known as the Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse, Maltreatment and Neglect course, and the Mandated Reporter class and Child Abuse Prevention (CAP).  The NYSED has amended their regulations (section 413 of the Social Services Law) a couple of times since 2022.  The website www.nysedworkshop.com is guaranteed to have the latest, most up-to-date version of this workshop.  The new 2025-2026 requirement means that everyone who is a “mandated reporter” (people whose professions may involve access to children, such as teachers, nurses, doctors, etc.) must take either an Addendum to the last version of the course or must take a full two-hour course.  If you can prove that you took the course between late 2023 and April 1, 2025, then you can take the addendum version, but you must submit a certificate to prove it.  This course teaches you how to identify and report child abuse.  The new content that was added, as the New York State Education framed it, is the “addition of guidance on identifying an abused or maltreated child when such child is an individual with intellectual or developmental disability” (I/DD) while the last revision or update (that was supposed to be completed by all mandated reporters by April 1, 2025) included Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Implicit Bias.       

Course Summary – if you see suspicious bruising on a child or suspect any type of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional) or a child looks like they are not being properly cared for, you must immediately contact the New York State Central Register (SCR) directly at 800-342-3720.  You do not hesitate and you definitely do NOT take it upon yourself to confront the parent or caregiver.  

Of course, it made no sense that the NYSED came out with TWO different updates within three years after having no updates for just about 40 years.  They should have released both updates into the first revision version.  This is, however, what happens when you have two different entities, the Office of Professions and then the Office of Teaching Initiatives that BOTH require the Child Abuse training but don’t seem to play nicely together and don’t communicate with each other.  Then they screwed up the electronic submission process completely but that is not worth mentioning here.     

Violence Prevention Workshop – also known as the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE act) course or the School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SVPI) workshop.  This course focuses on how to keep students safe in school.  

Course Summary – if you see something, say something.  Try to convince your students and other staff members to do the same.  The best way to maintain order is to set a good example for students at the school.  Everyone should work together to prevent dangerous situations – school staff, parents, students and community leaders including law enforcement.    

DASA (Dignity for All Students Act training)

The Dignity for All Students Act training discusses everything about bullying, harassment and intimidation.  

Course Summary – you need to teach your students to be respectful and be tolerant or get suspended.  Other things you will have to impart to your class – don’t bully people, don’t exclude them, don’t call people names and recognize and respect that some people are different.  Things you will have to learn to talk about with your students – the boy named Sam that you played baseball with in fifth grade now wants to be called Samantha, and that’s OK, so don’t make fun of him and if he wants to be called by some pronouns then you need to acknowledge it…or maybe just call that person Samantha.  Don’t tease people about their skin color, their religion, their hair (yes, this is called the Crown Act, and blue hair is in style now), etc. or you will be scolded by a teacher.   

OPTIONAL for most, but required for Special Education majors.

Needs of Students with Autism – no nicknames or acronyms for this one.  

As the name suggests, you learn the origins of the diagnosis, the stats, the treatments and the behaviors associated with being “on the spectrum of autism.”  

Key Takeaways – although each person on the spectrum is an individual and can have their own unique issues, there are a lot of commonalities.  There is no cure, but there are treatments.  Working with children on the spectrum requires patience and, well, if you don’t have patience but you are working with children then maybe you should be pursuing a different profession.  You will also learn that the diagnosis of “Asperger’s Disorder” has been phased out although many people still insist on using it.  

There are other providers – most of them horrible and many of them do NOT have the proper content, while some of them charge very high prices for the training.  The organizations that run www.nysedworkshop.com are Genius Genius of NY and, for the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) requirement, the provider name is ABC BullyFree.   

These are to be completed ONLINE. All four courses are available at www.nysedworkshop.com. The record of training completion is electronically recorded in your TEACH account upon request by the participant. Remember to save a copy for yourself.

Step Four: Teaching Certificate Application

In order to become certified, candidates MUST fill out an application on their TEACH Account at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/. There will be a fee. This process should be started during student teaching.

TEACH Account Password Reset:

There’s a self-service feature for students to retrieve their TEACH Account User IDs and Passwords with no waiting time for email responses. Simply click on “USERNAME go to” or “PASSWORD go to” on this link: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/report.html.

5. Certification Examinations

Candidates for certification must achieve qualifying scores on the appropriate tests in the New York State Teacher Certification Examination (NYSTCE) program. Register for the tests at http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/ as you prepare to take them.

Student/Faculty Resources for EAS

Educating All Students (EAS) practice materials for candidates: https://teachercertification.com/nystce/educating-all-students-201/ 

Additional Certifications:

Most colleges can recommend you for certification after your degree has been conferred (usually 2-3 weeks after grades are submitted), and then NYSED requires approximately 60 days to evaluate your application. Check your TEACH account “Evaluation History” for details on the processing of your application, as you may be missing a requirement, such as a workshop or a test. If all the requirements are met, you will be given a Control Number on your TEACH account, which you can use as verification for job applications. Log in to your account to check your status: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/.

Substitute Teaching in New York: Access the following link for requirements to be a substitute teacher in New York: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/substituteteaching.html.

Teacher Certification information to individuals who did not major in Education and want to transition from their job (doctor, lawyer, artist, dog walker) to a career in Education.  

First question:  Are you sure?  

Let’s say you earned your degree in Finance and you worked on Wall Street for ten years and then you got tired of making all that money or you find it too stressful to watch Nvidia stock go up and down.  So now you want to teach, but consider that you have already made one mistake when choosing a profession, so you should make sure you are ready to take a whole bunch of classes and trade your corner office (or cold, little cubicle) for loud children.  There won’t be any client meetings in a steakhouse, but you will definitely find a microwave splattered with spaghetti sauce in the teacher’s lounge!

OK, so let’s say your mind is made up.  The first thing you do is take the mandated workshop training which is described in detail in the section above.  Go to www.nysedworkshop.com

Next, you may be able to qualify for a program that exists for people who are entering the field of education from a different occupation.  Two of them come to mind – the NYC Teaching Fellows and Teach for America.  Take the training at the site above and then make an appointment to speak to someone about your goals.  

If you cannot or do not wish to enroll in a program, then your next stop is a local college Education Department.  Some allow walk-ins but I would recommend setting up an appointment and bringing a college transcript.  Depending on your degree, you should expect to take at least 18 credits and student teaching.  Not all teaching programs are created equal – one school may say you need thirty credits and another one may say twenty.  In the meantime, you can also just go ahead and get certified as a Teaching Assistant, a Substitute Teacher or a Paraprofessional (if you are in NYC), which may not be glamorous but it will get your foot in the door and will help you decide if teaching is really for you before you jump in and spend a lot of money and time taking classes.  Before proceeding to do anything else, go to the top of the page/website here and read the instructions on how to get your teacher certification as a student and, again, start the whole process by taking the workshop training.  It will not cost a lot, it will not take a lot of time, but you will learn a lot and will definitely earn you a ton of “points” with anyone you speak to about starting your journey towards a teaching career.         

Assistant Teachers

Certification Requirements for Teaching Assistants

The content on this page is from Fact Sheet 25-14: Certification Requirements for Teaching Assistants.

Background

In October 2025 the NYS Education Department implemented new regulations governing the certification of Teaching Assistants in New York. These changes included the creation of Initial and Professional Teaching Assistant certificate titles. The regulations also provides a phaseout timeline for Level I, and Level II TA certificate holders to continue to a Level III TA certificate or switch to the post October 2, 2025 Initial or Professional TA certificate titles. These regulations increased the preparation requirements for teaching assistants and created a career ladder for teaching assistants. 

This Fact Sheet focuses on certification requirements for teaching assistants post October 2025. It also summarizes the duties of teacher aides and teaching assistants in the areas of employment, job duties, licensing and certification, including New York State laws and regulations governing each area. Finally, it addresses the most frequently asked questions related to certification and licensure.

Currently certified Teaching Assistants are not required to apply for either the Initial or Professional TA Certificate. They Can continue in the Level I, II, III system if they progress to a Level III TA certificate by August 31, 2031.

The document is provided for general information purposes only. An official response on the interpretation of certification regulations or the determination of individual certification status can only be obtained from the Office of Teaching Initiatives of the New York State Education Department.

Teaching Assistants

According to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Section 80-5.6:  A teaching assistant “is appointed by a board of education to provide, under the general supervision of a licensed or certified teacher, direct instructional service to students.

(ii) Duties

(a) Teaching assistants assist teachers by performing duties such as:

(1) working with individual pupils or groups of pupils on special instructional projects;

(2) providing the teacher with information about pupils that will assist the teacher in the development of appropriate learning experiences;

(3) assisting pupils in the use of available instructional resources, and assisting in the development of instructional materials;

(4) utilizing their own special skills and abilities by assisting in instructional programs in such areas as:  foreign languages, arts, crafts, music and similar subjects; and

(5) assisting in related instructional work as required.

(b) Teaching assistants who hold the pre-professional teaching assistant certificate [or professional teaching assistant certificate] shall have the same scope of practice as other teaching assistants, in accordance with the duties prescribed in clause (a) of this subparagraph.

Within that scope of practice, teaching assistants holding a pre-professional teaching assistant certificate may, at the discretion of the employing district, and while under the general supervision of a teacher, perform such duties as:

(1) working with small groups of children so the teacher can work with a large group or individual children;

(2) helping a teacher to construct a lesson plan;

(3) presenting segments of lesson plans, as directed by the teacher;

(4) communicating with parents of students at a school site or as otherwise directed by a teacher; and

(5) helping a teacher to train other teaching assistants.

Phase Out Timeline of Level I-III Teaching Assistant Certificates

No applications accepted for TA Level I after  9/30/2025

Initial and Professional TA titles available on  10/1/2025

All TA Level I application requirements must be completed by 12/31/2025

TA Level I Renewal applications available until  2/1/2029

TA Level II applications available until  8/31/2028

All TA Level II application requirements must be completed by 12/31/2028

TA Level III applications available until  8/31/2031

All TA Level III application requirements must be completed by 02/01/2032

Summary of Level I-III Teaching Assistant Certification Requirements

Level I  (valid for three (3) years, one renewal)

High school diploma or equivalent

Pass ATAS*

Child Abuse Identification workshop

School Violence Prevention workshop

DASA Workshop

May be renewed once for three (3) years with a commitment for employment; verified by district/BOCES 

Level II   (valid for three (3) years)

Must have one (1) year of experience as teaching assistant

9 college credits

Not renewable 

Level III   (valid continuously)

Must have one (1) year of experience as teaching assistant

A total of 18 college credits

Continuously valid with completion of 100 CTLE hours every five (5) year registration cycle

Many members who work as career Teaching Assistants remain continuously certified at Level III. 

Pre-Professional   (for TAs planning to become teachers; valid for five (5) years)

Must have one (1) year of experience as teaching assistant

Possess 18 college credits

Matriculation in teacher preparation program

May be renewed if individual has taken 30 credits in the previous five (5) year period

Summary of of New Teaching Assistant Certification Requirements (effective Oct. 1, 2025)

As of October 1, 2025, Teaching Assistants can apply for an Initial or a Professional TA Certificate. The Initial certificate is the new entry-level certificate for teaching assistants and can be continuously renewable. The Professional certificate is for teaching assistants who have completed a specified set of courses that mirrors the pedagogical requirements for an initially certified teacher.

Initial  (valid for five (5) years)

High school diploma or equivalent

Pass ATAS*

Child Abuse Identification workshop

School Violence Prevention workshop

DASA Workshop

Continually renewable every 5 year registration cycle with satisfaction of 100 CTLE credits** ($35 application fee required each renewal)

Professional (valid continuously)

3 years of experience as a certified teaching assistant (Level I-III, Initial, Pre- Professional, CQ) or 1 year as a certified classroom teacher

Bachelor’s degree OR

Completion of a college program leading to Professional TA certification OR

18 college credit hours with at least 9 in specific pedagogy, and up to 9 accepted in core subject area coursework (ELA, math, science or social studies)

Continuously valid with completion of 100 CTLE hours every five (5) year registration cycle

1 year as Professional TA satisfies student teaching for Classroom Teacher certification

Updated Pre-Professional   (for TAs planning to become teachers; valid for five (5) years)

Valid for five (5) years or when leaving a certificate program, may be renewed

Must have one (1) year of experience as a certified teaching assistant

Possess 18 college credits

Matriculation in teacher preparation program or a Professional TA program, OR

Has met the education required for a Professional TA

1 year as Pre-Professional TA satisfies student teaching for Classroom Teacher certification

*New York State Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills Test 

**CTLE specified professional development hours, records must be retained by participant for three years beyond the registration period. College credits in any area may be taken after initial TA certification to apply towards CTLE clock hours.

Options:

If you held a Level I or II before October 1, 2025, you may continue to Level II or III TA certification, or you can apply for the Initial, Professional, or Pre-Professional TA certificate.

A Level III TA certificate holder can keep the Level III certificate or apply for the Initial, Professional, or Pre-Professional TA certificate.

See Teaching Assistant Certificates (nysed.gov) for TA certificate options based on the TA certificate you currently have.

Applying for a Teaching Assistant Certificate

All applications for teaching assistant certificates are done using the State Education Department’s TEACH online system (nysed.gov). 

When applying for a certificate, please note the following:

The state requires that all documents (letters, high school diplomas, college transcripts) submitted for certification purposes must include the applicant’s name as it appears on TEACH, which must be your full legal name presented on your government issued ID. If you have been known by any other names, you must request the change be made in your TEACH account or the documents will not be associated. To add or change your name, please use this link to begin the process: Name Change (nysed.gov).

Effective June 1, 2025, high school diplomas and transcripts will no longer be accepted from the applicant. These documents must be sent directly by the school.

The State Education Department (SED) provides guidance for submitting proof of a high school diploma or equivalent for Level 1 or Initial TA certificates at:

Submitting High School diplomas and transcripts, High School Equivalency (HSE), and GED/TASC Transcripts (nysed.gov).

The Child Abuse Identification workshop has periodic updates which must be taken and posted to applicant TEACH accounts. Most current information is available at:

Second Update Child Abuse Identification Workshop (nysed.gov)

The Level III TA certificate is continuously valid, provided that the Continuing Teacher & Leader Education (CTLE) hours’ requirement of 100 hours every five (5) years is met.

It is possible to move from Level I to Level III directly after one year of employment as a TA if the applicant has the appropriate number of college credits completed.

College credits required for Level II and III do not have to be earned in education courses; they just need to be earned at the accredited colleges.

The State Education Department website provides a summary of the requirements for each teaching Assistant certificate (Level I, II, III; Initial, Professional, and Pre-Professional) and useful information regarding the application process.

Portability of Teaching Assistant Credential

All NYSED issued Teaching Assistant certifications (continuing certificate, Level I-III, Initial, Professional, Pre-Professional) are portable across school districts and BOCES boundaries, in the same way a teaching certificate is portable. A Teaching Assistant is not required to obtain a new certificate if they choose to seek employment in another school district or BOCES.

Teacher Aides

According to Education Law, Section 3009 (2)(a):

A teacher aide is appointed by a board of education to assist teachers “in the performance of their teaching functions by performing those non-teaching duties otherwise performed by such regular teacher or teachers.”

Commissioner’s Regulations, Section 80 – 5.6, Supplementary School Personnel, describe the duties of a teacher aide. They include:

Managing records, materials and equipment;

Attending to the physical needs of children; and

Supervising students, and performing such other non-teaching duties which support teaching when such services are determined and supervised by the teacher.

Teacher aides are classified employees, whose employment rights are governed by Civil Service Law.  They are not subject to licensure and certification requirements under Education Law. Certified Teaching Assistants, unlike teacher aides, are members of the teaching staff and must be given a probationary appointment as a teaching assistant and are eligible for tenure according to Section 30.1-8(d) or the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there different job duties assigned to each of the levels leading to the pre-professional teaching certificate?

The description of job duties contained in Section 80-5.6(c) (1) (ii) (a), applies to all Teaching Assistants, whether they hold an Initial, Level I, II, III, or Professional certificate. Professional or Pre-Professional TAs may have an expanded scope of practice as 80-5.6 (c) (1) (ii) (b), but this should be addressed in local collective bargaining agreements.

All Initial, Level III and Professional teaching assistants are required to complete 100 CTLE during their five (5) year certificate cycle to maintain their certificate – who is responsible for providing the CTLE activities and will it be available to Level I and Level II teaching assistants?

School districts or BOCES are required to comply with regulations (Part 100.2(dd)) that govern the development, content, and implementation of professional development plans. School districts or BOCES are required to provide CTLE hours to Level III and Professional TAs to ensure faculty and staff remain current with their profession, meet the learning needs of their students, and maintain their certificates in good standing. These criteria are deemed met upon successfully completing 100 CTLE hours every five (5) years as prescribed in Part 80.6 of Commissioner’s Regulations.

Thus, districts that employ Level III and Professional Teaching Assistants are required to provide opportunities to accumulate CTLE hours necessary to maintain their certificates. Districts are highly encouraged, but not required, to provide these opportunities to Initial TA certificate holders who must also complete 100 hours.

What are the requirements for certified teachers to be hired as teaching assistants?

Certified teachers may be hired as Teaching Assistants based upon possession of a valid classroom teaching certificate, and with one year of previous classroom teaching experience they are eligible to apply at Level III. They may also waive ATAS if they have a CST exam score.

Paraprofessionals and Substitute Paraprofessionals

Interested in being a Paraprofessional? 

Stage I: Nomination 

Stage II: Assessment 

Stage III: Pre-Processing 

Stage IV: Processing Event 

Stage V: Staffing 

Substitute Paraprofessional Pay Rate and Representation 

Continuation of Substitute Status (Renewal Requirements) 

Full-time Paraprofessionals 

Opportunities 

Interested in being a Paraprofessional?

In an effort to increase the Substitute Paraprofessional pool, candidates who are interested in becoming a Substitute Paraprofessional, but have not been nominated by a principal, can complete the applicable survey below to convey their interest in the position. 

General Substitute Paraprofessional Interest Survey

Be advised that submission in this survey does not guarantee a nomination as a Substitute Paraprofessional. We will review this survey regularly and contact you if your qualifications meet our needs. Interested candidates must have authorization to work in the United States, as well as a High School Diploma/GED or equivalent education as approved by the New York State Education Department in order to be eligible for the Substitute Paraprofessional position. 

Please Note: Substitute Paraprofessional Nominations are now open at most schools.

IMPORTANT DATES REGARDING SUBSTITUTE PARAPROFESSIONAL NOMINATIONS & ONBOARDING (these are for 2025-2026 only):

Substitute Paraprofessional nominations for 2025-2026 school year WILL CLOSE ON Friday, February 13th.

LAST DATE FOR ASSESSMENT for Substitute Paraprofessionals is Monday, March 9th. 

LAST DATE FOR ORIENTATION for Substitute Paraprofessionals is Thursday, April 9th.

LAST DATE FOR STAFFING for Substitute Paraprofessionals is Wednesday, April 15th. 

Stage I: Nomination

Applications for this position are only made available to people who have been nominated by a school principal, through the online application. Each school may nominate candidates for the position based upon the:

Current or projected vacancies (including number, location, and schedule)

Special requirements for some positions, such as:

Gender

Foreign language proficiency

Lifting/toileting

Etc.

If you meet the eligibility criteria outlined above, and are interested in becoming a substitute paraprofessional, contact school(s) directly. Candidates are expected to provide service as a substitute paraprofessional at the school that nominates them, after they are staffed. 

Stage II: Assessment

Candidates who meet the requirements listed in Stage I will be invited to Stage II. If invited, you must meet the following requirements within a specified time period:

Demonstrate oral proficiency in the English language.

Demonstrate proficiency in written English by responding to an assigned topic.

Any candidate who does not demonstrate English language proficiency will not be permitted to reapply for the position within the 2025-26 school year.

Stage III: Pre-Processing

Candidates meeting the criteria listed in Stage II will be emailed detailed instructions for Stage III. This requires that you complete the requirements listed below within a specified time period:

Complete DOE’s mandatory Employment Forms online

Complete i-9 verification, if applicable

Be fingerprinted and photographed by the DOE.

Fingerprints are now being administered at any IdentoGO location, which are located throughout New York City and State.

Instructions on completing fingerprints are only available to nominated candidates, after they have completed the Employment Forms online. 

Candidates who have already been fingerprinted by the DOE or have sent their fingerprint results to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) need not be re-fingerprinted. Some exceptions may apply. 

Candidates are required to be photographed and must submit the appropriate forms.

Before anything else, you should take the following four workshop training courses at www.nysedworkshop.com.  You can take all of your courses as a bundle/package (the package does not include the Needs of Autism course and that you would add to your cart separately)

Successfully complete a NYSED-approved workshop on Child Abuse Identification

Successfully complete a NYSED-approved workshop on School Violence Prevention

Successfully complete a NYSED-approved workshop on the Dignity for All Students Act

Successfully complete a NYSED-approved workshop on Autism

Successfully complete the New York State Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS) test -OR- provide proof of registration for the test.

Successfully complete the DOE-supported and authorized online training program for Paraprofessionals.

Create an online profile with the NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives.

Use the DOE’s online portal to schedule a date for the Processing Event

Stage IV: Processing Event

Candidates meeting the requirements listed in Stage III will be invited to a processing event. Prior to this event, you will upload documentation confirming the fulfillment of the requirements listed earlier.

You will also receive information on:

Handling Bloodborne Pathogens

SubCentral, our automated absence management system

Stage V: Staffing

Subject to receiving clearance (fingerprint and appraisal of record) from the DOE’s Office of Personnel Investigations, nominees can be staffed as a Substitute Paraprofessional. This means that you are approved to serve on a citywide basis. This approval is good for the current school year. It must be renewed yearly.

Substitute Paraprofessional Pay Rate and Representation

Substitute Paraprofessionals are paid at the contractual rate of $188.04 (as of September 14, 2025). This is for the actual days they have worked. They do not receive any benefits. 

Substitute Paraprofessionals are represented by the United Federation of Teachers (UFT).

Continuation of Substitute Status (Renewal Requirements)

To continue your substitute status for the next school year, substitutes are required to fulfill the renewal requirements, which are updated annually. The renewal requirements include the following:

Provide a minimum total of 20 full days of Substitute Paraprofessional service during the 2025-2026 school year.

File an online renewal request, between June 11, 2026, and June 30, 2026, for renewal of service in 2026-2027. Instructions on completing this can be found in the link below. Be advised, that you will NOT have access to the online renewal request site until June 11, 2026.

Complete the NY State required Child Abuse Workshop (Second Update) at www.nysedworkshop.com by simply choosing the Child Abuse workshop option and you can take all of your courses as a bundle/package (the package does not include the Needs of Autism course and that you would add to your cart separately)

Provide proof of passing the NYSTCE Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS) examination. If you have NOT yet registered or passed the NYSTCE ATAS examination, you must provide proof of registration for the new NYSTCE Exam which will replace the ATAS: “Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction” examination. To register visit NYSTCE.

*Be advised, Substitute paraprofessionals who have already passed the NYSTCE ATAS are NOT required to take the new exam, “NYS Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction.”

Maintain a positive record in the schools worked and be in good standing (as determined by the Office of Personnel Investigations).

For additional information, please visit the Substitute Paraprofessionals page on the Employee hub

Full-time Paraprofessionals

Paraprofessionals are teaching assistants who provide instructional services to students under the general supervision of a certified teacher. In New York City, most paraprofessionals work in special education and early childhood education settings. Full-time paraprofessionals receive a generous benefits package, including:

Health insurance

Paid leave

Pension

Opportunities to receive:

tuition assistance

paid release time for college study.

Full-time employees are entitled to a salary above the minimum of $29,621 if they have the appropriate college credits and/or related work experience.

Eligibility

To become a full-time paraprofessional for the New York City Department of Education (DOE), you must first become a substitute paraprofessional, and serve at least 25 days in that role. You must also have the New York State Teaching Assistant certificate*. However, an appointment to a full-time position is:

Based on each school’s vacancies, budget, other personnel needs, etc.

Competitive

Not guaranteed

*Certification update: Effective October 1, 2025, New York State Education Department (NYSED) will no longer offer the ‘Teaching Assistant Level I Certificate’. Instead, new full-time paraprofessional applicants should apply for NYSED’s newest certification, the ‘Initial Teaching Assistant Certificate’.

Opportunities

Lead Teacher Assistant – Paraprofessional

The Lead Teacher Assistant – Paraprofessional (LTA) is a career ladder position that allows for more diverse use of paraprofessionals in classrooms and schools to support student needs. It allows schools to use a paraprofessional in the role of a true assistant teacher by:

Supporting all aspects of instruction in the classroom

Working with students alone or in small groups under the general supervision of the classroom teacher.

Supporting the practice of other paraprofessionals at their school

It also may, under limited circumstances, provide absence coverage for the teacher of record.

This position is compensated with an additional $5,000 per school year over the paraprofessional’s base salary. Payment is the responsibility of the selecting school.

The Career Training Program

The Career Training Program provides tuition assistance for eligible full-time paraprofessionals.

Bilingual Paraprofessionals Pursuing a Career in Bilingual Education (BPS Program)

The Bilingual Pupil Services (BPS) program prepares and trains bilingual paraprofessionals in pursuit of a teaching career to support and serve English Language/ Multilingual Learners (ELLs/MLLs) in Title I public elementary schools. The goal is to promote the linguistic and academic progress of these students, whose primary language is Spanish, Chinese, or Haitian-Creole, by providing supportive instructional services through the assignment of our BPS teacher interns.

Substitute Teaching

To work as a substitute teacher in New York, candidates generally need a bachelor’s degree, fingerprint-based background check clearance (approx. $101.50 fee), and proficiency in English. In NYC, a principal’s nomination is required, while other districts often require direct application, a 60-credit minimum for some roles, and in-person interviews. 

Steps to Become a Substitute Teacher in NY

First, take the training found at www.nysedworkshop.com 

You will need the Child Abuse Workshop, the School Violence Workshop and the DASA course.  There is a package deal offering all three for just $110.  There are some companies that charge that price for just the DASA course (which is a six-hour workshop) but nysedworkshop.com is the best at what they do and they were the first organization to offer this type of training online in New York State.  

Meet Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree is generally required, though some school districts or agencies (like Swing Education) may allow 60+ college credits or an associate’s degree for specific roles.

Get Nominated (NYC Public Schools): You must be nominated by a school principal to apply for the 2025-26 school year through the New York City Public Schools online portal.

Fingerprinting & Background Check: You must complete a criminal history background check with the New York State Education Department.

Apply to School Districts/Agencies: Outside NYC, you must apply directly to individual school districts or BOCES. You can also work through agencies like Swing Education or Kelly Education.

Complete Training: Many districts require mandatory, often online, training regarding classroom management and policies. 

Important Considerations

Pay Rate: As of Sept 2025, NYC substitute teachers are paid at a per diem rate of $\approx$$224.83.

Certification Requirements: While a teaching certificate is not mandatory to substitute, it is highly preferred. Uncertified substitutes are limited to working 40 days per year in a district, whereas certified teachers can work more.

Workplace Rules: You must be authorized to work in the U.S..

Coach Preparation & Licensing

People who are interested in becoming a coach but who are not certified NYS physical education teachers must complete a sequence of coaching courses in one of 2 pathways: Individual Evaluation of SED coursework or National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) coursework.

These pathways are separate roads to certification and all coursework completed must fall in one certification pathway. Completed requirements in one pathway cannot be carried over into another pathway.

A person who does not hold a current New York State teaching certificate may be appointed as a temporary coach only if there are no certified teachers available with experience and qualifications to coach the team. The non-teacher coach must obtain a Temporary Coaching license.

For specific guidance on obtaining a teaching license in physical education, visit the Office of Teaching Initiatives’ website. Their team specializes in the certification process and will provide you with the necessary steps to obtain your teaching certificate.

Additionally, if you are considering a coaching role and do not currently hold a teaching certificate, the Office of Teaching Initiatives can assist you in exploring the relevant licensing options.

If you are already a current NYS Certified Teacher – No application necessary

First Aid

CPR

Amendment to First Aid Knowledge and Skills Requirements for Coaches

Concussion Management Course

HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Online Training for Coaches

NFHS Concussion in Sports 

Coaching Coursework

Non-NYS Certified Teacher – Must apply for a license on TEACH Website

Child Abuse workshop

School Violence workshop

DASA Training

****   You should take the above courses at www.nysedworkshop.com before doing anything else   ****

First Aid

CPR

Amendment to First Aid Knowledge and Skills Requirements for Coaches

Concussion Management Course

HEADS UP to Youth Sports: Online Training for Coaches

NFHS Concussion in Sports

Fingerprint clearance

Coaching Coursework

Theory and Techniques of Coaching (Sport Specific) Course Internship Experience Flexibility

For questions about coaching courses, including internship experiences, please contact the Office of Curriculum and Instruction at emscurric@nysed.gov or (518) 474-5922.

The New York State Education Department’s TEACH system

This can often give people a bit of trouble.  We will walk you through some important steps.  

TEACH Self Registration

Important: If you forgot your password or username, DO NOT create a new account.

Forgot your Username or Password?  https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/report.html

To create your NY.gov account and access TEACH, you must have your:

Name* – You must enter your name as it is listed on your Government issued photo ID.

Birth Date (mm/dd/yyyy) (required for TEACH access)

Mailing address

E-mail address

United States Social Security Number (required for TEACH access)

International applicants who do not have a United States Social Security number should visit  https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/evalforeigncred.html to find out how to request a nine-digit identifier to create a TEACH account.

*If you applied, or received a certificate in the past, use the name associated with that application/certificate. You can request a name change after you have successfully created your account.

Failure to include any of the items above will result in an error.

After you create your NY.gov account, you must click the link provided, log in to your NY.gov account, then click on TEACH Online Services and provide your United States Social Security Number and date of birth.

Ready to set up a TEACH account?  Click below

https://my.ny.gov/SelfRegV3/selfregstepone.xhtml

TEACH Log In issues?

If you receive a message that your TEACH account is assigned to a different username, try deleting your browser history. Directions for these internet browsers can be found below:

Chrome: chrome://settings/clearBrowserData

Microsoft Edge: View and delete browser history in Microsoft Edge

Forgot your Username or Password?  https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/report.html

Viewing Information in TEACH

Log in to your TEACH account:  Login to TEACH

Under Inquiry Links, click on “View Account Information”.

Click on the information you would like to view, then press “Go”.

Account Infomation Screen

Education

Shows education information that you self-reported and education verified based upon the receipt of official college transcripts.

Work Experience

Shows work experience information that you self-reported in your TEACH account.  To add or edit your information, refer to:  Link to sections above

Certificates

Lists your application and certificate information.  For information regarding the status of your application, refer to: Checking the Status of Your Application.

Individuals certified prior to 1983:  If you received New York State certification prior to 1983, refer to the Individuals Certified Prior to 1983 webpage to determine how to have your records added to your account.

Correspondence

Lists documents on file electronically in the Office of Teaching Initiatives.

NOTE:  If a date is not listed and/or a two-digit code is listed in the “Comments” column, the document is no longer on file in the office.

Individuals certified prior to March 2006:  If you received a certificate or other credential from the Office of Teaching Initiatives prior to March 14, 2006, your TEACH account may not contain a complete electronic record of your submitted documents or transactions.

Contact History

Lists any former names or addresses associated with your account.

Test Scores

Lists test scores received from the testing company.  More information regarding exams can be found at:  (link to exam page)

Workshops

Lists workshops completed.

NOTE: Information may not appear for individuals who received a college recommendation for certification.  To see if you have a college recommendation on file, refer to the “College Recommendations” selection.

Superintendent Statements

Lists any Superintendent Statements submitted by your employer(s).

College Recommendations

Lists all college recommendations for certification submitted by a registered program within a New York State college or university. If you have any questions about the information provided in this section, contact the certification officer at your New York State institution.

Adding Information to TEACH

You can add the following self-reported information to your TEACH account:

Education Information

Employment information

Address

To add self-reported information to your TEACH account:

Login to TEACH

Click on “Update/Add Education, Employment and Personal Information”.

Click the “Edit” button for the section that you would like to edit.

NOTE:  Self-reported education and employment information must be verified by official documentation. 

Education Information can only be verified upon receipt of an official college transcript.

Employment Information must be verified by your employers using the appropriate experience verification form.

To learn how to submit your documents, refer to: 

Submitting Documents to the Office of Teaching Initiatives

Deleting Information from TEACH

The TEACH system does not allow applicants or the Office of Teaching Initiatives to delete self-reported education or employment information the you provide in your account. If you enter education or employment information incorrectly, you should edit the entry to make it correct. 

NOTE:  Duplicating self-reported information will not adversely affect your account or application.

Editing Information Entered

You can edit the following self-reported information:

Education Information

Employment information

Address

To edit self-reported information in your TEACH account:

Log in to your TEACH account:  Login to TEACH

Click on “Update/Add Education, Employment and Personal Information”

Click the “edit” button for the section you would like to edit.

Payment

How do I pay for an application I submitted online?

To make payment for an existing application:

Click “Login to TEACH”

Click “TEACH System”

On your TEACH Home page

Under Payment Links (sixth bullet down), click “Pay for Certificate.”

Checking your Application Status

Checking the Status of Your Application

The current processing time for applications is approximately 16 weeks. Applications are evaluated in the order in which they enter “ready for review” status. If your application was already evaluated, and it re-enters “ready for review” status, it will take approximately 16 additional weeks from that date for it to be re-evaluated. Please note that this estimate is approximate; actual processing times may vary.

Login to TEACH

Click “TEACH Online Services”.

Under Inquiry Links, click “Account Information”.

Click “Certificates” and then click the “GO” button next to the list.

****    We hope you have found this information to be helpful in your quest to become a teacher in New York State.  Do you have questions, comments or suggestions?  Feel free to email us at help@nysedworkshop.com    ****