Certification
TEACH/New York State Education Department (NYSED)
The Office of Field Experience only certifies candidates enrolled in SUNY Old Westbury Approved Teacher Preparation Pathway degree programs. All applications for certification are through the TEACH Online System.
SUNY Old Westbury does not handle or advise on Individual Pathway applications for certification. Anyone who receives a letter from NYSED about deficiencies must consult directly with NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI).
NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives: Call (518) 474-3901 or e-mail
School of Education - Mandatory Professional Licensure Disclosure
Students With Disabilities All Grades (P-12) Certification
New York State Teaching Certification Requirements
It is highly recommended that you complete all exams and workshops prior to the semester you student teach, if you want to receive certification shortly after graduation.
Initial Certification: You must complete a NYS Approved Teacher Preparation Pathway Program, pass all NYSTCE Exams, complete all required workshops, and get fingerprinted.
Professional Certification: You must complete a related Master's degree or higher degree and have three years of teaching experience.
Fingerprinting
Each candidate needs to complete the fingerprint clearance process when entering the School of Education in order to participate in any field experience course. Local school districts require clearance before a candidate can enter a school building.
Fingerprint Clearance Instructions
Observation and Student Teaching
Each semester candidates apply for observation and student teaching for the following semester.
examples
- Apply in Fall 2026 to participate in Observation or Student Teaching in Spring 2027
- Apply in Spring 2026 to participate in Observation or Student Teaching in Fall 2026
NYS Mandated Workshops
All NYS mandated workshops are also a graduation requirement for all SUNY candidates.
Required NYS mandated workshops
- Child Abuse Identification Workshop (Second Update) – Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
- SAVE - School Violence Prevention Workshop - SVPI Approved Providers | New York State Education Department
- DASA – Dignity for All Students Workshop – NYSED’s DASA Approved Providers List.
- Autism Workshop – Training in the Needs of Children with Autism - SWD Certification Only - Credited to SPED majors enrolled in ED 4890 (undergraduate) and ED 7020 (graduate). Not applicable to non-Old Westbury candidates.
- Fire & Arson Workshop
- Substance Abuse Workshop
- Highway and School Safety Workshop
- Prevention of Child Abduction
DASA Provider Information (SUNY OLD WESTBURY SOE CANDIDATES ONLY)
If you want to inquire about information on upcoming DASA workshops or registration information, please email Vincent Juba.
NYS Teaching Examinations
New York State Teacher Certification Examinations
NYSED Safety Nets
As you may know, the state has created a series of safety nets for the New York State Teaching Certification Examinations. The information pertaining to requirements and deadlines in continuously changing. The most up-to-date information can be found at the New York State Education Department.
Exam and Certification Requirements by Degree
Undergraduate
All BA and BS-awarding programs lead to Initial Certification.
| Program Title | Certification(s) | NYSTCE Exams | Program Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Childhood Education (BS) | Childhood Ed (1-6) | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood | 23125 |
| Childhood Education with Bilingual Extension (BS) | Childhood Ed (1-6) & Bilingual Extension | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, BEA | 23126 |
| Special Education Childhood (BS) | Childhood Ed (1-6) & Students with Disabilities (1-6) | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, CST Students with Disabilities | 43644 |
| Special Education with Bilingual Extension (BS) | Childhood Ed (1-6) & Students with Disabilities (1-6) & Bilingual Extension | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, CST Students with Disabilities, BEA | 23768 |
| Students with Disabilities (All Grades) (BS) | Students with Disabilities (All Grades) | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, CST Students with Disabilities | 23767 |
| Students with Disabilities (All Grades) (BS) | Students with Disabilities (All Grades) | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, CST Students with Disabilities | 23767 |
| Students with Disabilities (All Grades) (BS) | Students with Disabilities (All Grades) & Bilingual Extension | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, CST Students with Disabilities, BEA | 23767 |
| Students with Disabilities (All Grades) (BS) | Students with Disabilities (All Grades) & Early Childhood (B-2) | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, CST Multi-Subject Early Childhood ( Part 1 & 2), CST Students with Disabilities | 23767 |
| Students with Disabilities (All Grades) (BS) | Students with Disabilities (All Grades) & Students with Disabilities (B-2) | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, CST Multi-Subject Early Childhood ( Part 1 & 2), CST Students with Disabilities | 23767 |
| Students with Disabilities (All Grades) (BS) | Students with Disabilities (All Grades) | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, CST Students with Disabilities | 23767 |
| Students with Disabilities (All Grades) (BS) | Students with Disabilities (All Grades), Childhood Ed (1-6) & Bilingual Extension | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, CST Students with Disabilities, BEA | 23767 |
| Students with Disabilities (All Grades) (BS) | Students with Disabilities (All Grades), Childhood Ed (1-6) & Early Childhood (B-2) | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, CST Multi-Subject Early Childhood ( Part 1 & 2), CST Students with Disabilities | 23767 |
| Students with Disabilities (All Grades) (BS) | Students with Disabilities (All Grades), Childhood Ed (1-6) & Students with Disabilities (B-2) | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, CST Multi-Subject Early Childhood ( Part 1 & 2), CST Students with Disabilities | 23767 |
| Adolescence Education – Biology (BA) | Biology (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 23119 |
| Adolescence Education – Biology (BS) | Biology (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 23120 |
| Adolescence Education – Chemistry (BA) | Chemistry (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 23121 |
| Adolescence Education – Chemistry (BS) | Chemistry (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 23122 |
| Adolescence Education – Mathematics (BS) | Mathematics (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 23123 |
| Adolescence Education – Social Studies (BA) | Social Studies (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 27199 |
Graduate MAT
All MAT-awarding programs lead to Initial Certification.
| Program Title | Certification(s) | NYSTCE Exams | Program Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry Adolescence Education (BA/MAT) | Chemistry (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 37805 |
| Mathematics Adolescence Education (BS/MAT) | Mathematics (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 37804 |
| Social Studies Adolescence Education (BA/MAT) | Social Studies (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 37807 |
| Adolescence Education: Biology (7-12) (MAT) | Biology (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 32467 |
| Adolescence Education: Chemistry (7-12) (MAT) | Chemistry (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 32468 |
| Adolescence Education: ELA (7-12) (MAT) | English (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 32469 |
| Adolescence Education: Mathematics (7-12) (MAT) | Mathematics (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 32470 |
| Adolescence Education: Mathematics (7-12) (MAT) Residency | Mathematics (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 43791 |
| Adolescence Education: Social Studies (7-12) (MAT) | Social Studies (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 32471 |
| Adolescence Education: Spanish (7-12) (MAT) | Spanish (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 32472 |
Graduate MS
All MS-awarding programs lead to Initial/Professional Certification.
| Program Title | Certification(s) | NYSTCE Exams | Program Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Childhood Special Education (MS) | Students with Disabilities (1-6) | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, CST Students with Disabilities | 43362 |
| Special Education (MS) | Students with Disabilities (All Grades) | EAS, CST Multi-Subject Childhood, CST Students with Disabilities | 35388 |
| Literacy Ed Childhood, Adolescence, Childhood/Adolescence (MS) | Literacy (B-6, 5-12, or B-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 43273 |
| Literacy Education P-12 (MS) | Literacy (All Grades) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 38632 |
| Teaching English as a New Language (MS) | ESOL P-12 | EAS, CST (ESOL or Safety Net ESOL) | 44934 |
Graduate Advanced Certificate
All Advanced Certificate-awarding programs lead to Initial Certification.
| Program Title | Certification(s) | NYSTCE EXAMS | PROGRAM CODE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adolescence Education: Biology (7-12) (Adv. Cert.) | Biology (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 33977 |
| Adolescence Education: Chemistry (7-12) (Adv. Cert.) | Chemistry (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 33978 |
| Adolescence Education: English Language Arts (7-12) (Adv. Cert.) | English (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 33979 |
| Adolescence Education: Mathematics (7-12) (Adv. Cert.) | Mathematics (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 33980 |
| Adolescence Education: Social Studies (7-12) (Adv. Cert.) | Social Studies (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 33981 |
| Adolescence Education: Spanish (7-12) (Adv. Cert.) | Spanish (7-12) | EAS, CST (Subject Specific) | 33982 |
| Teaching English as a New Language (Adv. Cert.) | ESOL P-12 | EAS, CST (ESOL or Safety Net ESOL) | 44935 |