Certification

Process
The certification process has three requirements:

  1. complete the program in which you are enrolled;
  2. pass the relevant state tests; and
  3. complete the required seminars.

See below for information on these latter two points.

New York State Teacher Certification Examinations
The New York State Education Department requires licensure applicants to pass three standardized tests to qualify for initial certification.  Students must pass the following tests to qualify for New York certification:

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST)
  • Assessment of Teaching Skills/Written (ATS/W)
  • Content Specialty Test (CST)

Students must pass the LAST before student teaching placements can be arranged.  This test must be taken no later than the end of the first methods course.  It is recommended that the ATS/W and the CST be taken during student teaching.  Students must pass all three tests to qualify for initial certification.  Students who earn their certification at the undergraduate level are required to earn a “functionally relevant master’s degree” within 5 years in order to retain their teaching license.  For more information on what constitutes a relevant master’s degree, please contact your local BOCES office.

These tests are offered several times a year; students are responsible for registering for and taking tests by the required deadlines. Test information and registration is available at:  http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/.

Seminars
NYSED also requires that applicants for certification be fingerprinted and complete seminars in Child Abuse, Substance Abuse, and School Violence Prevention.  These 2-hour seminars and fingerprinting are offered on a regular basis through the School of Professional Development.  Information can be found at: http://www.stonybrook.edu/spd/career/tworkshops.html.  Most school districts now require prospective student teachers to be fingerprinted before can be accepted for student teaching, so it is advised to take care of this as early as possible.