You should be aware that the Office of Teaching Initiatives does not endorse, pre-approve, or accredit programs or coursework completed at institutions located outside the State of New York.

Information regarding colleges and universities within New York State that have an approved teacher preparation program can be found at www.highered.nysed.gov/ocue/ded/database.html

If you plan on taking individual courses at an institution that is located in New York, go to www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/faqcw.html to determine what courses would be acceptable.

All applicants for certificates, licensees, or permits must undergo a fingerprint-supported criminal history background check. State law requires the State Education Department to conduct these background checks for all school personnel, including applicants for certification, in addition to all prospective employees of school districts, charter schools and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES).

Fingerprinting services are no longer available at DOE facilities. As of May 5, 2022, all fingerprinting for DOE candidates will be handled by a third-party vendor, IdentoGO. Candidates who receive a nomination and require fingerprinting will need to register and be fingerprinted with IdentoGO. For more information on the fingerprinting process, refer to the DOE HR website and the DOE InfoHub (login required). 

The Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability (OSPRA) within the Office of Teaching Initiatives is responsible for monitoring this process. Criminal History Background checks require a $91.50 payment, which covers both a NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services search and an FBI review.  For more information contact OSPRA at ospra@mail.nysed.gov

Classroom teachers, administrative and supervisory personnel, paraprofessionals and pupil personnel service professionals are required to hold a certificate issued by New York State in order to be employed in the state's public schools. Certificates are issued in a wide variety of titles in each of these three major categories.  In addition, New York State also requires that coaches, visiting lecturers and teachers of adult, community and continuing education obtain a special license.

If you fail to submit the form or return after five years, you must serve a four year probationary period, which can be reduced up to two years for prior satisfactory service in the same license.

If you are not tenured prior to your resignation, you must serve a four-year probationary period when you return. This period can be reduced up to 2 years for prior satisfactory service in the same license. This is called Jarema Credit.

Only if you return to teaching within five years of the effective date of resignation and apply to withdraw the resignation using the Application for Withdrawal of Resignation form on the Department of Education website. The application must be submitted to the DOE on or before the first day you report to school for the reinstatement with tenure to be processed. 

According to the Department of Education, pedagogical employees who resign without providing notice will be given a problem code in their personnel file that will flag them for review should they wish to return to teaching. Non-pedagogues like paraprofessionals and therapists, are only required to give two weeks’ notice.

Chapter leaders have reported some principals are asking members to add the word “irrevocable” to their letters of resignation. It is unnecessary since UFT-represented educators have a contractual right to withdraw their resignations at a later date. It’s important to note, however, that the person must have found a new position before submitting a withdrawal of resignation form to the DOE. 

While there is no requirement to give notice for retirement, employees who are interested in taking terminal leave prior to retirement must also give 30 days’ notice.

After resigning, you will lose access to your DOE email, so once your resignation email and letter are sent, be sure to forward a copy to your personal email address so you have proof of resignation if needed. 

We recommend you first contact your UFT borough office and speak with a UFT representative before you resign. DOE pedagogue employees who plan to resign must give at least 30 calendar days’ notice, according to Chancellor's Regulations. According to the DOE, pedagogical employees who resign without providing 30 calendar days’ notice will receive a problem code in their personnel files that flag them for review should they wish to return to teaching. 

Non-pedagogues like paraprofessionals and therapists, are only required to give two weeks’ notice.

Chapter leaders have reported some principals are asking members to add the word “irrevocable” to their letters of resignation. It is unnecessary since UFT-represented educators have a contractual right to withdraw their resignations at a later date. It’s important to note, however, that the person must have found a new position before submitting a withdrawal of resignation form to the DOE.

While there is no requirement to give notice for retirement, employees who are interested in taking terminal leave prior to retirement must also give 30 days’ notice.

After resigning, you will lose access to your DOE email, so once your resignation email and letter has been sent, be sure to forward a copy to your personal email address so you have proof of resignation if needed. 

You can apply for COBRA and pay a monthly fee to maintain your Department of Education health insurance and UFT Welfare Fund health benefits for up to 36 months. You can also be covered under another individual’s plan without waiting for an enrollment period. You will be able to do either once you receive a letter from the DOE notifiying you of your loss of medical coverage as a result of your resignation.

If you are considering resigning from the DOE, we strongly suggest contacting the union at 212-331-6311 to speak with a representative about your options. 

Resignation 
Provide an official letter (as a PDF or Word doc attachment) with your effective date of resignation or retirement, file number and signature, also include in the letter whether you will transfer to another city agency or be leaving all city services. This will ensure resignations are processed correctly.  

A resignation letter should be written at least 30 days prior to the effective date of resignation. Email it to your principal or administrator and copy your personal email address for your records. You may not receive a letter or email confirming your resignation. After your termination is processed, you will no longer have access to your DOE accounts.

• A resignation letter can simply state: “I (name and file number) am resigning my position from the DOE effective on ___ (at least 30 days from the date the email is written)." 
• This email is sent to your principal who then forwards it to the DOE.   
• If a resignation letter is written with an effective date of less than 30 days, a problem code can be generated, which will make it difficult to return to the DOE in the future.  
• Reach out to TRS and inquire about your pension and/or TDA accounts.  
• When resigning, fill out an OP44 form to get paid out for any remaining CAR or vacation days.  
• If a person is facing termination, resignation does not usually make it better. 

Summer Resignation 
If a member resigns on the last day of school, they will receive their summer pay throughout the summer; however their health benefits will end in July, at the end of month.  If health benefits need to be maintained throughout the summer, resigning in August (and providing 30 calendar days notice) will ensure health benefits to the beginning of September. 

After resigning, you will lose access to your DOE email, so be sure to forward a copy of the resignation email and letter to your personal email address so you have proof of resignation if needed.