Certification news & updates

See the latest updates and news regarding certification policies: 

Registration now open for the new School Counselor Content Specialty Test (CST)

Candidates are now able to register for the new School Counselor CST, for testing starting February 26, 2024. To assist candidates and teacher preparation programs in preparing for the test, the test framework, content correlation table, and study guide are all available on the NYSTCE website. As a reminder, candidates who apply and pay the fee for the Initial School Counselor certificate by February 26, 2024 and complete all requirements for the certificate other than the CST prior to such date are not required to take and pass the School Counselor CST. Additionally, candidates who seek Professional School Counselor certification through a “Certificate Progression” pathway do not need to pass the School Counselor CST, including those who did not take and pass the School Counselor CST for Initial School Counselor certification. These and other guidelines for when candidates must pass the School Counselor CST are outlined on the School Counselor CST Requirement Guidelines page on the NYSED website.

Free online test prep for teacher certification exams

Two online resources are available for members preparing for teacher certification exams: 

• NYSTCE - New York State Teacher Certification Examination Courses - Online Classes with Videos
  Offers practice tests, review courses and videos for a range of certification exams
• CUNY Leap to Teacher online test prep workshops for CST & EAS exams
  Covers study and test taking strategies and is open to all UFT members. Dates run from March to June in 2024.

Opportunities for teachers to earn ENL Certification & Bilingual Education extensions

The state Education Department adopted a temporary modification to certification requirements so teachers may obtain a supplementary English as a new language certification and/or a supplementary bilingual education extension to support new immigrants or asylum-seeking students. Teachers with secondary certifications in ENL and bilingual education who are willing to teach in those license areas will receive a $5,000 incentive to help meet the growing need. Any teacher who switches during the 2023-24 school year will receive the incentive. These teachers will receive a waiver so they will not sacrifice tenure or lose seniority and they will not face a one-year probation period, as had been the case for decades. The bonus will be paid annually as long as the educator teaches ENL or bilingual education. 

Certified teachers and pupil personnel services professionals (i.e., social workers, school counselors and psychologists) can now complete either the examination requirement or the enrollment and education requirements, instead of both sets of requirements. This temporary flexibility will allow candidates to pass the Bilingual Education Assessment (BEA) and/or the Content Specialty Test (CST) in ESOL, if available, in lieu of completing coursework and matriculating in a registered program leading to a bilingual education extension and/or an ENL certificate. See a list of required tests and registration information »

Once issued, the supplementary ENL certification remains in effect for five years. Applicants may renew the supplementary bilingual education extension one time for three more years from the effective date of the renewal only if they obtained their first extension through this flexibility and meet the requirements for the extension as described above.

Those who are interested can apply for the ENL certificate and/or the bilingual extension until Aug. 31, 2024. Because the Bilingual Education Assessment can only be taken on a limited number of dates, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for the test. See more information about these certification modifications on the state Education Department website. 

Additional updates

• Several changes approved by the NY State Board of Regents around requirements for time extensions, reissuances and renewals went into effect on Aug. 2, 2023. See the the NYSED website for eligibility requirements and additional guidance. Please note: if you were previously granted a time extension with an expiration date of 8/31/23 or later, two additional years were automatically added to that extension. Time extensions will no longer be granted for initial or provisional certificates, but individuals who hold an Internship, applicable Transitional or a Residency state certificate may be able to receive a three-year extension if they meet certain criteria. See more details on the NYSED website.
• As of Feb. 2, 2024, school counselors will be issued initial and professional certification instead of provisional and permanent state certification.  However, both certifications will continue to be recognized and members with a valid provisional certificate will still be able to obtain a permanent certificate. See the NYSED website for more information.
• The New York State Board of Regents is requiring social workers, school psychologists and mental health practitioners to complete three continuing education credits on maintaining appropriate professional boundaries each triennial registration period (with registration periods beginning on and after April 1, 2023) as part of the 36 continuing education credit requirement continually in place to maintain a professional license.
• Effective Sept. 1, 2024, teachers of computer science will be required to hold the new Computer Science Pre K-12 Classroom certificate or a statement of continuing eligibility (SOCE). The SOCE application is available on the State Ed department website. See the related FAQ for more information. 
• The New York State Board of Regents established a new All Grades Students with Disabilities certificate as of Sept. 28, 2022.
• The general core in liberal arts and sciences is no longer a certification requirement as of April 27, 2022.
• NYSED changes to literacy teaching certification and science certification requirements as of June 29, 2022.
• The New York State Board of Regents redefined the definition of a year of experience for permanent or professional certification.
• Certification and licensing clarification fact sheet for teachers of English language learners