Professional Teacher Certification for Initial Certificate Holders Who Have Had Three Years of Teaching Experience

Lehman’s School of Education offers select educator programs that prepare students to obtain professional certification from the state after officially graduating, and if they meet all other state requirements at that time. These programs lead to either a master’s degree or a post-graduate Advanced Certificate. These professional programs are designed for certified educators who hold initial certification in either the same area they seek professional certification in or they may already hold professional certification in a different area.

The (NYSED) New York Education Dept. will have more requirements to qualify for professional certification and only they will have the final decision to approve issuance. One of the main NYSED requirements for a professional certificate is for employers to submit verification of having accumulated 3 years of full-time work experience (a total of 540 days) under a valid initial certificate in the same area held.

If students do not meet all of the NYSED professional certificate requirements after graduation, they will need to wait to apply for the professional until the requirements are met. If seeking a professional certificate in a new subject area, students may need to obtain an initial certification until the state professional certificate requirements are met; and only if the state offers the initial certificate in the new area sought. Some areas are only for professional certification like a School District Leader, for example.

For more information on all the professional certificate requirements, go to the New York State Education Department - Office of Teaching Initiatives website at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert. Click on the “Search Certification Requirements" tab on the main webpage.