To obtain a teaching certificate in New York the applicant must complete a registered teacher program. Not all programs require a bachelors degree. A list of available programs in available at the New York State Education Department (NYSED) website, and you can choose the one that is right for your circumstances.
After completion of the registered program, a certificate of recommendation should be submitted online by the teaching program. Verify with the school's certification officer that this has been done. This individual also will provide a student application sheet with instructions on how to complete the online application for teacher certification.
Register online to take the teacher certification tests. There are two tests that must be passed for an elementary teacher certification, the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) and the Assessment of Teaching Skills (ATS). Other grade levels require tests specific to the subject that will be taught in addition to these two general tests.
Request a fingerprint-supported criminal background check from the new online system called TEACH. A user ID and password must be created to use this tool. Use the same tool to submit a request for the certificate itself.