Teacher Certification

Initial Certification Requirements

Students who complete a program of study at SUNY Potsdam that is approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to lead to Initial certification will be recommended through the Office of Field Experiences for the appropriate teacher certificate.

In order to be recommended for Initial certification, the following requirements must be successfully completed:

  1. An approved program of study that leads to certification;
  2. Health 230 (CA, SAVE), a two-credit hour course on drug abuse prevention, child abduction prevention, fire safety and arson prevention, the Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse, and School Violence Prevention and Intervention;
  3. Teacher Certification Authorization Form.

In order for the candidate to receive an Initial certificate from the NYSED, the following additional requirements must be completed:

  1. New York State Certification Exams:
    1. Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST)
    2. Assessment of Teaching Skills – Written (ATS-W)
    3. Content Specialty Test (CST);
  2. Fingerprint clearance from the New York State Education Department;
  3. Complete the Certification Application through your TEACH account using the appropriate Student Information Application Sheet below.

Program Codes and Student Information Application Sheets

Creating a TEACH Account

In order for SUNY Potsdam to recommend you for your teaching certificate and in order for you to apply for fingerprinting and teaching certification, you must create a TEACH account with the New York State Education Department. MAKE SURE YOU FILE YOUR USERNAME AND PASSWORD IN A SAFE PLACE.  You will use them for your entire teaching career.

Professional Certification Requirements

Candidates completing a graduate program that is approved by the NYSED to lead to Professional certification can be recommended in some cases by the Office of Field Experiences.  Candidates are responsible for assuring that the graduate programs they are completing have been approved to lead to Professional certification related to the Initial certificate they hold.  Candidates are encouraged to consult with the campus Certification Officer and their adviser to assure that their program will lead to Professional certification.  

Holders of Initial certificates must obtain a Professional certificate within five (5) years from the effective date of the Initial certificate in order to continue to be licensed in the State of New York. Once the Professional certificate has been obtained, the holder of a Professional certificate must complete 175 hours of documented professional development every five (5) years in order to keep the Professional certificate active.

To be recommended for a Professional certificate by SUNY Potsdam, the following requirements must be completed:

  1. Complete a relevant master’s degree, approved by NYSED to lead to Professional certification in the area of the Initial certificate;
  2. Complete the Teacher Certification Authorization Form (link above).

In order for NYSED to award a Professional certificate, candidates must complete the following additional requirements:

  1. Complete the Certification Application through their TEACH account in order to receive the Professional certificate;
  2. Complete the appropriate Content Specialty Test if master's degree leads to an additional certificate;
  3. Complete three (3) years of paid teaching either as a full-time employee or as a substitute teacher. One full year equals 180 substitute days;
  4. Complete a mentoring program through your school district during the first year of teaching.