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You must complete the following requirements in any order to receive certification. For the most up to date information, visit the New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives.
Create a New York State Certification TEACH account.
How To Check Your TEACH Account (PDF)
Make sure your email address is updated so you receive appropriate notifications from Brooklyn College:
Relevant education is needed for all educator certification titles. Learn how your degree will affect your certification, and review deadlines for filing your graduation audit.
Learn more about which certification tests you need to complete if you are a new teacher without certification or a certified teacher who is applying to teach another age group or subject.
Workshops are a required for New York State certification. Your workshops must be verified by the Brooklyn College certification officer before your recommendation for certification can be entered by Brooklyn College. These workshops are not test prep workshops.
Follow the fingerprint verification instructions for fieldwork, student teaching, or other college-related work in NYCDOE schools.
Be sure to check your TEACH account to check if your fingerprint status is posted there. You can go to Account Information, Fingerprinting, and click “submit.”
If you see a note on your TEACH account that states “Teach does not have your fingerprint information…” andif you already processed your fingerprint records with the NYCDOE, then you need to send in an OSPRA 104 form (PDF) by e-mail to the address at the bottom of the form. If the information in section two of the OSPRA 104 form does not apply to you, you can leave it blank.
Allow about one month for your records to be processed, and then check your TEACH account to be sure your fingerprint records were received. When your records are received by TEACH, your account will only indicate if your records were received, not if your records are currently “cleared.”
We will guide you through the step-by-step process for applying for certification, including certifications for teaching students with disabilities, school psychology, counseling, and leadership positions.
Learn how to check the status of your application and how long it will take for New York State to process. In addition, learn about the next steps for your certification since most certifications have multiple steps.
Office of Teaching Initiatives. Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) Professional Fees Mandated Workshops for All School Professionals
Fingerprint Verification Requirement Instructions for Additional Certification New York State Education Department Links Career Information and Additional Resources
Helen Spencer, Certification Officer 2201 James Hall P: 718.951.5000, ext. 3946 Phone and walk-in office hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, noon–5 p.m., or by appointment.
Review the instructions for fingerprint verification.
The college PETS administrator is Helen Spencer.
The Personnel Eligibility Tracking System, PETS, is a New York City Department of Education office that manages fingerprint clearance records.
P: 718.951.4800 Roberto Martinez, Teaching Fellows Program Manager Ellen Kreger, Teaching Fellows Administrative Assistant
Helen Spencer will have Certification Town Hall meetings on Zoom about every two weeks. If you would like to participate in a group Zoom meeting, please complete this form.
