Alternative Teaching Certification in New York
New York offers four alternative routes to a teaching license: Transitional A, B, and C certificates, plus the Internship Certificate. Transitional B fits candidates with an undergraduate degree, Transitional C fits those with a graduate degree, and each lets you teach full-time in a New York school while completing the remaining coursework for full certification. The New York State Education Department’s Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI) approves and oversees every pathway.
Sponsored School(s)
Alternative teacher certification programs are designed for applicants who wish to teach but have not completed a teacher preparation program. Usually, these programs target mature adults who are already in the workforce, but who are interested in becoming teachers.
Interested in learning about the traditional approach? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in New York.
Already hold a teaching certificate from another state? You may not need an alternative route at all. Check reciprocity instead to see if your existing license transfers.
Types of Alternative Teacher Certification in New York
New York runs four alternative pathways to a teaching license, each tied to a different starting point. The Transitional A Certificate is for career and technical education candidates teaching grades 7-12, and generally requires an associate’s degree with related work experience. Transitional B is for applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Transitional C is for applicants who hold a graduate degree. The Internship Certificate runs alongside enrollment in an approved graduate program and lets candidates teach while finishing that degree. All four require an employment offer from a New York school district before the certificate is issued.
| Pathway | Best For | Education Required |
|---|---|---|
| Transitional A | Career and technical education, grades 7-12 | Associate’s degree (2.5 GPA+) and two years of relevant work experience |
| Transitional B | Career-changers with an undergraduate degree | Bachelor’s degree with a 30-semester-hour major in the subject taught |
| Transitional C | Career-changers with a graduate degree | Graduate degree, plus child abuse identification and school violence prevention coursework |
| Internship Certificate | Candidates enrolled in an approved graduate program | Current enrollment in a NYSED-registered graduate teacher preparation program |
Transitional B and Transitional C Requirements
Education Requirements
Transitional B: you must have a bachelor’s degree with a major (30 semester hours) in the subject you wish to teach, and usually a 3.0 GPA prior to enrolling in a Transitional B program.
Transitional C: you must have a graduate degree, complete a two-clock-hour course on the identification of child abuse, and complete a two-clock-hour course on school violence and prevention/intervention prior to entering a Transitional C program.
Once you qualify for Transitional B, you’ll complete 200 clock hours of introductory coursework, including 40 field experience hours, and pass two certification tests. You’ll then work as a full-time teacher in a New York school under a Transitional B certificate and get mentored while completing the rest of the educational requirements for initial teacher certification. Most candidates finish within two years.
After qualifying for Transitional C, you’ll work full-time as a teacher in a New York school under a Transitional C certificate and get mentored for two years while completing an intensive educational program required for professional certification. You must complete this within three years, after which you can apply for your Professional Certificate.
Examinations
Transitional B and Transitional C: you must pass the Educating All Students (EAS) test and the content specialty test (CST) in your certification area prior to entering the program. New York retired the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) years ago, so the EAS is now the general assessment paired with the subject-specific CST.
Experience
No prior teaching experience is required for enrollment in a Transitional B or Transitional C program. During the program, you’ll work as a teacher and gain experience while completing the educational requirements necessary for full certification.
Criminal History Background Check
Prior to the issuance of a Transitional B or C certificate, you must complete a criminal history background check, which includes electronic fingerprinting. New York uses a single statewide vendor, IdentoGO/IDEMIA, for this. Full details are on NYSED’s Fingerprint FAQ page.
You’ll first create a TEACH account, then schedule an appointment at identogo.com using the certification service code 14ZGQT. Bring valid photo ID to your appointment. IdentoGO/IDEMIA scans your fingerprints digitally and transmits the results electronically to your TEACH account, so there’s no paper fingerprint card or mailing step.
The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will run your fingerprints. With no criminal history, clearance is typically automatic within 24 hours of OSPRA receiving your results, after which your transitional certificate can be issued.
Contact Information
New York colleges and universities offering Transitional B and Transitional C programs are listed on NYSED’s Alternative Teacher Preparation Programs page.
For more information on alternative teacher certification in New York, contact the New York State Education Department Office of Teaching Initiatives at 518-474-3901.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Transitional B and Transitional C certification?
Transitional B is for candidates who hold an undergraduate degree, while Transitional C is for candidates who already hold a graduate degree. Both let you teach full-time in a New York school while completing the remaining coursework for full certification, but Transitional C candidates must also finish coursework on identifying child abuse and preventing school violence before entering the program.
Do I need prior teaching experience for alternative certification in New York?
No. Neither Transitional B nor Transitional C requires prior classroom experience before enrollment. You gain that experience on the job, working as a mentored teacher while you finish the educational requirements for full certification.
How long does alternative certification take in New York?
Transitional B candidates typically complete the remaining requirements within two years. Transitional C candidates have three years to finish their intensive program before applying for a Professional Certificate.
Is there an alternative certification path for career and technical education teachers?
Yes. The Transitional A Certificate covers career and technical education subjects for grades 7-12. It’s built for candidates with an associate’s degree and related work experience rather than a bachelor’s degree.
What tests do I need to pass for Transitional B or C certification?
You must pass the Educating All Students (EAS) test and the content specialty test (CST) in your certification area before entering either program. New York retired the older Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) some years ago, so the EAS now serves as the general assessment.
- New York offers four alternative routes — Transitional A, B, and C certificates, plus the Internship Certificate, each tied to a different education level or teaching subject.
- Transitional B and C let you teach while you finish requirements — you work full-time under a transitional certificate and complete coursework alongside the job, rather than before it.
- The EAS and CST exams come before enrollment — both the Educating All Students test and the content specialty test must be passed prior to entering a Transitional B or C program, not after.
- A criminal history background check with fingerprinting is required — the New York State Education Department clears this before issuing any transitional certificate.
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