New York State Certification, Professional Development
March 22, 2012

Fact Sheet 12-03: Certification Types for Teachers and Teaching Assistants

It is important for members to know which certificate(s) they possess and how to maintain these credentials in order to protect their career and livelihood. Local leaders should be aware of the variety of certificate types and the purpose and validity of each certificate. If you should have any questions about certification or these certificate types, please contact NYSUT Research & Educational Services.

Certificate Types for Teaching Titles

CERTIFICATE
PURPOSE

NOTES

Provisional

Entry credential since 9/2/98; replaced by initial certification

  • Available until 2/1/04
  • Valid for five years
  • May obtain time extension of up to two years
  • May be renewed once

Initial

Replaces provisional certification; designates first teaching certificate

  • Available beginning 2/2/04
  • Valid for 5 years

 

Permanent

Final credential for provisional certificate holders

  • Available to valid provisional certificate holders
  • Valid continuously

Professional

Replaces permanent certification; designates next step in sequence of initial to professional certification

  • Available beginning 2/2/04
  • Valid continuously with fulfillment of professional development requirement

Renewed Provisional

Reactivates an expired provisional certificate

  • Available until 2/1/04
  • Valid for five years

Transitional A

Credential for individuals in specific career and technical subjects enrolled in an alternative certification program

  • Valid for three years
  • Leads to initial certification

Transitional B

Credential for individuals enrolled in an alternative certification program

  • Valid for three years
  • Leads to initial certification

Transitional C

Credential for career changers and others holding a graduate academic or graduate professional degree enrolled in an alternative certification program

  • Valid for three years
  • Leads to professional certification

Transitional G

Credential for practicing higher education faculty with advanced degrees in STEM subjects; alternative certification pathway

  • Valid for two years
  • Leads to initial certification

Internship

Issued to student in graduate teacher education program for employment in specified district through an internship

  • Valid up to two years
  • Not renewable
  • Service area specific

Statement of Continuing Eligibility (SOCE)

Allows individuals to continue teaching theater, gifted education and American Sign Language if they taught in these areas before September 1, 2006.

  • Valid for life
  • Transferable from one NYS School district to another

Permit for Service in Areas where No Certificate Exists

For districts to employ an individual in a position for which no certificate currently exists (e.g.: NJROTC instructor, Native American studies, etc.)

  • Valid for two years
  • May be extended for five year intervals
  • Issued only for service in district which requested this permit

Supplementary Certificate

 

Allows already certified teachers to teach in a different subject area where a need exists

  • Valid for three years
  • Leads to an initial or professional certificate, depending upon previous teaching experience

Visiting Lecturer

For districts to employ an individual with unusual qualifications in a specific subject

  • Valid for one year
  • Typically issued to teachers from other countries

Certificate Types for Teaching Assistants

CERTIFICATE

PURPOSE

NOTES

Continuing Certificate

Final credential

  • Continuously valid unless you have not been employed as a TA for five consecutive years

Level I

Entry credential for TA

  • Available beginning 2/2/04
  • Valid for three years
  • Can renew once if need additional time to meet experience requirement for Level II or Level III

Level II

Progressive credential after Level I

  • Available beginning 2/2/05
  • Valid for three years – not renewable

Level III

Progressive credential after Level I or Level II

  • Available beginning 2/2/05
  • Continuously valid with fulfillment of professional development requirement

Pre-professional

Progressive credential after Level I or Level II

  • Available beginning 2/2/04
  • Valid for five years
  • May be renewed once
  • Progressive credential toward initial certification in teaching title

DOC 65811