TYPES OF CERTIFICATES      

Provisional/Permanent vs. Initial/Professional, and Transitional B

• Provisional and Permanent were the titles for classroom teaching certificates under the old regulations that were in     effect until February 1, 2004.  They continue to be the titles for Administration and Supervision certificates until 9/1/07.     

• Initial and Professional are the titles for classroom teaching certificates under the current regulations, effective     as of February 2, 2004.  Initial certificates will have an effective date of 9/1/04 or later.     

• Transitional B certificates are issued to candidates who are in an Alternative Teacher Certification Program such as     the NYC Teaching Fellows.  The transitional B certificate may lead to either a provisional or permanent certificate     if it was issued on 2/1/04 or earlier and remains valid, or an initial or professional certificate if issued on 9/1/04 or later.        

Certificate Descriptions

The Provisional Certificate was the entry-level certificate for classroom teaching titles prior to 2/2/04, and remains such for administrators.   A candidate would receive an institutional recommendation for Provisional certification after completing a registered undergraduate or graduate program in education or administration, including student teaching, a teaching practicum or internship.  In addition to completing a registered program, the state also requires that candidates have passed the LAST & ATS-W, completed the Child Abuse and Violence prevention workshops, and received fingerprint clearance.  The Provisional certificate is valid for five years, during which candidates must satisfy the requirements for Permanent certification, including completion of a Master’s degree, the CST and ATS-P video exams, and 2 years of paid professional experience for Classroom teaching titles.  Prior to the expiration of the provisional certificate, candidates may apply for a time extension of 6 months to 2 years if necessary to complete the requirements for permanent certification.

The Permanent certificate is the advanced-level certificate for administration and supervision, and for classroom teaching titles for candidates who currently hold valid provisional or transitional certificates and have met the education, testing, and experience requirements. Candidates are recommended for permanent certification after completing a graduate education or administration program, and if they have already completed 2 years of paid professional experience.  The state also requires that candidates pass the ATS-P video prior to being issued a permanent certificate.  The permanent certificate is permanently valid.

The Initial certificate is the entry-level certificate for classroom teaching titles under the current regulations, effective 2/2/04.  A candidate receives an institutional recommendation for initial certification after completing an undergraduate or graduate program in education, including student teaching, a practicum or internship.  The state also requires that candidates have passed the LAST, ATS-W, and CST examinations.   The ATS-P video is no longer required.  The initial certificate is valid for 5 years during which time candidates are expected to complete a Master’s degree and 3 years of paid professional experience and apply for a Professional certificate.  Prior to the expiration of the Initial certificate, candidates may apply for a time extension of 6 months – 2 years if necessary.

The Professional certificate is the advanced-level certificate for classroom teaching titles under current regulations, effective 2/2/04.   A candidate receives and institutional recommendation for Professional certification after completing a graduate program in education and having 3 years of paid professional experience.  There is no additional testing requirement for the professional certificate.  The professional certificate is continuously valid, pending satisfaction of professional development requirements every 5 years.

The Transitional B certificate is the first level certificate issued to candidates enrolled in an Alternative Teacher Certification Program such as the NYC Teaching Fellows or the MTL Transitional B program.  Candidates apply for transitional B certification after having completed the pre-service portion of the ATCP and passing the LAST and CST examination.   Transitional B certificates issued prior to 2/2/04 (Cohort 6 and lower) lead to a provisional or Permanent certificate, depending on completion of the required exams.  Certificates issued after 2/1/04 lead to an initial or professional certificate, pending completion of the required exams and paid professional experience.  Prior to the expiration of the Transitional B certificate, candidates may apply for a time extension of 6 months - 2 years if neccessary.

For a detailed list of all certificates, click here.