Certification Requirements Map
Key Takeaways
- For a first Initial teaching certificate in most certificate areas, NYSTCE lists EAS plus the relevant CST requirement.
- Certification is broader than testing: candidates also use TEACH, meet pathway requirements, complete fingerprint clearance, and satisfy workshop requirements.
- NYSED lists Child Abuse Identification and Reporting, DASA, and School Violence Prevention and Intervention as required educator certification workshops.
- The edTPA is no longer a New York teacher certification requirement as of April 27, 2022.
- Candidates should verify the exact certificate title in TEACH or NYSED guidance before registering for exams.
Exams are one part of certification
Passing a test is not the same thing as holding a New York certificate. NYSTCE supplies the testing piece, while the New York State Education Department Office of Teaching Initiatives manages certification requirements, applications, TEACH records, workshops, fingerprinting, and pathway review. Treat the exam plan as one lane in a larger certification map.
The NYSTCE What Tests Do I Need to Take page says that candidates for a first Initial teaching certificate in most certificate areas must achieve passing scores on EAS and the CST or CSTs in their area of certification. That is the common classroom-teacher pattern, but not the only pattern in New York educator certification. Always verify your own certificate title and pathway.
Requirement map
| Requirement area | What it does | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| EAS | Shows broad readiness to educate all students | NYSTCE EAS (201) page and EAS framework |
| CST | Shows content and content-pedagogy readiness for a certificate area | Exact NYSTCE CST test page and framework |
| TEACH account | Holds applications, status, certification records, and some clearances | NYSED TEACH System pages |
| Fingerprint clearance | Satisfies background-clearance requirement for certification or employment use | NYSED fingerprinting and TEACH guidance |
| Workshops | Meets required training components for educator certification | NYSED workshops pages |
| Pathway review | Confirms education, recommendation, reciprocity, or individual evaluation requirements | NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives |
The TEACH System page lists services for applicants, including applying for a certificate, checking application status, viewing certification records, applying for fingerprint clearance, and viewing fingerprint clearance status. That makes TEACH the working record system, not just a place to pay a fee.
Workshops and fingerprinting
NYSED's Workshops Required for Educator Certification page lists three workshops for educator certification in New York State: Child Abuse Identification and Reporting, Dignity for All Students Act, and School Violence Prevention and Intervention. Some special education certificates may also require autism-related coursework or training. If a workshop was completed through a program or approved provider, make sure it appears correctly in TEACH or follow NYSED submission directions.
Fingerprint clearance is also separate from exam registration. NYSED pathway pages commonly list fingerprint clearance as a condition before a certificate can be issued. The approved teacher preparation program page states that college-recommended applicants must satisfy the testing requirement and obtain fingerprint clearance before the certificate can be issued. If you are outside New York, confirm whether you need a new clearance or a transfer process.
edTPA status
The edTPA should not be planned as a current New York certification exam requirement. NYSED's edTPA certification requirement page and the April 2022 edTPA elimination notice state that the Board of Regents eliminated the edTPA requirement and that it is no longer a certification requirement as of April 27, 2022. The notice also explains that active applications with edTPA listed as unmet were to have that requirement marked exempted in TEACH.
That does not mean every teacher preparation program stopped using performance assessments in coursework or clinical experiences. NYSED's 2022 notice says registered teacher preparation programs integrate a teacher performance assessment into student teaching, practicum, residency, or similar clinical experience. The key point for exam planning is narrower: do not spend NYSTCE study time preparing an edTPA portfolio as a state certification exam requirement.
How to plan your path
Start with the certificate, not the test. In TEACH or NYSED guidance, identify the certificate title, grade band, subject area, and pathway. Then list the exams, workshops, fingerprinting status, transcripts or institutional recommendations, and any application fees. This prevents a common error: passing the right exam but leaving a non-exam requirement unresolved.
A simple checklist is enough:
- Certificate title confirmed.
- Pathway confirmed.
- EAS requirement checked.
- CST or other exam requirement checked.
- TEACH profile information matches NYSTCE registration information.
- Fingerprint status checked.
- Workshop status checked.
- edTPA not treated as a current certification exam requirement.
If your name, date of birth, or Social Security number differs across TEACH and NYSTCE records, fix that before you rely on automatic score matching. Administrative mismatches can slow certification even when your academic preparation is complete.
A candidate has passed EAS and the required CST but has not checked TEACH, workshops, or fingerprint clearance. What is the best conclusion?
Which statement about edTPA is accurate for New York certification planning?