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How to become a certified teacher in New York. Bachelor's degree required. Primary exam: Educating All Students (EAS). Government fees: $414–$714. Substitute requirements: Bachelor's degree (varies by district; some may accept 60 college credits). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · New York
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in New York. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Office of Teaching Initiatives (under NYSED / Higher Ed).
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree
Primary Exam
Educating All Students (EAS)
Total Gov Fees
$414–$714
Initial Cert
5 years
| Requirement | Value | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree | Verified |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree | Verified |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required | Verified |
| Student Teaching | Required (40 hours) | Verified |
| Background Check | Required | Verified |
| Fingerprinting | Required | |
| GPA Requirement | 2.5 | Verified |
| Minimum Age | 18 | Verified |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. | Verified |
Not sure if you need a teacher license? Check whether your state requires one.
pedagogical knowledge
Passing score: 520
Assesses knowledge of diverse student populations, English language learners, students with disabilities, and teacher responsibilities
basic skills
Passing score: Eliminated in 2017
Previously required; eliminated as a certification requirement in 2017
content knowledge
Passing score: 520
Subject-specific NYSTCE exam required for each certification area
performance assessment
Passing score: N/A
As of April 27, 2022, edTPA is no longer required for New York State teacher certification. Previously was a portfolio-based performance assessment completed during student teaching. Some teacher preparation programs may still use it for program completion, but it is not a state certification requirement.
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First certificate for new teachers who have completed an approved teacher preparation program and passed all required exams. Valid for 5 years and cannot be renewed; holder must advance to Professional Certificate.
Permanent certificate requiring 3 years of teaching experience and a master's degree (or equivalent). Must be obtained within the 5-year validity of the Initial Certificate.
Issued to candidates who have completed most requirements but still need to complete certain exams or coursework
For teachers seeking additional subject area certification
Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree (varies by district; some may accept 60 college credits)
Certificate Required
No separate certificate
Background Check
Required
Validity
Determined by hiring district
New York does not issue a state substitute teaching certificate. Individual school districts set their own requirements for substitute teachers, though fingerprinting and background checks are required statewide. Most districts require at least a bachelor's degree for long-term substituting.
| Fee | Amount | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Application FeePer certificate title application | $50 | Verified |
| Fingerprint FeeIncludes $75 NYSED fee plus approximately $27 processing fee | $102 | Verified |
| Exam Fees (Total)EAS ($131) + CST ($131) + edTPA ($300); actual total depends on number of CSTs taken | $262–$562 | Verified |
| Initial Certificate | $50 | Verified |
| Renewal FeeInitial Certificate is not renewable; Professional Certificate is permanent and does not require renewal | N/A | Verified |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application ($50), fingerprinting (~$102), and exams ($262–$562) | $414–$714 | Verified |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Register for a TEACH (Teacher Education and Certification Hub) online account at the NYSED website
https://teach.nysed.gov/
Graduate from a NYSED-approved teacher preparation program with a bachelor's degree or higher
Pass the EAS, Content Specialty Test (CST), and edTPA
Fee: $262–$562
Get fingerprinted through NYSED's OSPRA for background check clearance
Fee: $102
Complete training in child abuse identification, school violence prevention, and DASA (Dignity for All Students Act)
Typically completed as part of the teacher preparation program
Apply for the Initial Certificate through the TEACH online system and pay the application fee
Fee: $50
New York offers several alternative routes to certification for career changers and others who did not complete a traditional teacher preparation program. The Transitional B Certificate allows candidates to teach while completing a state-approved alternative teacher preparation program. NYC Teaching Fellows is one of the largest alternative certification programs in the country.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
100
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Professional Certificate holders must complete 100 hours of professional development (Continuing Teacher and Leader Education, or CTLE) every 5 years to maintain their certificate. CTLE was implemented in 2016 as part of New York's teacher effectiveness reforms.
Browse approved teacher training programs to find the right fit.
Reciprocity Type
Case-by-case review
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
New York evaluates out-of-state applicants individually. Teachers with valid certificates from other states may be eligible for a New York certificate, but may need to complete additional exams (NYSTCE) and coursework specific to New York requirements.
Additional requirements: Must pass all required NYSTCE exams; may need additional coursework in specific areas such as child abuse identification, school violence prevention, and DASA (Dignity for All Students Act) training
Use our reciprocity lookup tool to compare license transfer options across all 50 states.
Unique to New York: New York is one of the few states that requires teachers to earn a master's degree to obtain a permanent (Professional) certificate. The Initial Certificate is valid for only 5 years and cannot be renewed, creating a firm deadline for completing graduate education.
Teacher requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (you) | $414–$714 | 216–234 wks | |
| Connecticut | $525–$745 | 216–234 wks | → |
| Massachusetts | $433–$672 | 216–234 wks | → |
| New Jersey | $443–$614 | 216–234 wks | → |
| Pennsylvania | $327.60–$477.60 | 216–234 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in New York
New York ranks #28 out of 51 for lowest teacher licensing fees ($414–$714). See full ranking →
More rankings: Lowest Renewal Cost
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New York.
Teacher Schools in New York
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#6 of 51
Cost
#27 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021)
Entry Level
$63,550
25th percentile
Median
$82,480
+32% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$128,000
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
103,920 employed in this state
Note: BLS category covers elementary school teachers only. Secondary, special education, and other teaching specializations have separate SOC codes with different wage data.
Source: BLS OEWS – Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
0%
Below AverageNew Jobs
-500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
103,200
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 216–234 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
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