New York Teacher Licensure

There are three main types of alternative teaching licenses in New York: the Transitional B Certificate, the Transitional C Certificate, and the Internship Certificate. You can find further detailed information about alternative pathways through the Office of Teaching Initiatives. National Heritage Academies does not offer Transitional A Certificates. For more details visit the NYSED’s Alternative Teacher Preparation Program webpage.

Transitional B Certificate
Those who hold an undergraduate degree with a major in the subject they intend to teach will typically follow the Transitional B Program. In the Transitional B Program, candidates enroll in an NYS Registered Alternative Program and complete teacher preparation before earning an institutional recommendation for the Transitional B Certificate.

Transitional C Certificate
Those who hold a graduate degree in the subject of which they are seeking certification typically follow a Transitional C Program. Transitional C NYS Registered Programs for those who already hold a graduate degree are typically post-graduate certificates.

Intership Certificate
The Internship Certificate enables candidates who are enrolled in a graduate-level, NYS-registered educator preparation program to work in New York State public schools in the area of the certificate during their internship experience. Candidates must be supervised by program faculty and appropriately certified school personnel in the area of the certificate sought, according to the regulations and program requirements.

Candidates must have a College Recommendation in TEACH to receive the Internship certificate. They are eligible for the Internship certificate if they have completed at least 50% of the semester hour requirement for the program and meet any additional criteria set forth by their college or university.

Transitional B Certificate candidates may teach in the classroom while meeting the other requirements for a teaching certificate, which include:

• Passing the Educating All Students (EAS) New York State Teacher Certification Exam.
• Passing the Content Specialty Test (CST) in the subject(s) to be taught.
• Completing the Dignity for All Students Act workshop.
• Completing the fingerprint clearance process.

Candidates have three years to complete these requirements with the Transitional B Certificate before applying for initial certification.


While enrolled in the program, Transitional C Certificate holders must complete the initial requirements for licensure, which include:

• Passing the Educating All Students (EAS) New York State Teacher Certification Exam.
• Passing the Content Specialty Test (CST) in the subject(s) to be taught.
• Completing the Dignity for All Students Act workshop.
• Completing the fingerprint clearance process.

After completing the Transitional C Program and certification requirements, new teachers will be issued a Professional Certificate instead of an Initial Certificate as highly qualified educators.


Internship Certificate holders must complete the initial requirements for licensure, which include:

• Passing the Educating All Students (EAS) New York State Teacher Certification Exam.
• Passing the Content Specialty Test (CST) in the subject(s) to be taught.
• Completing the Dignity for All Students Act workshop.
• Completing the fingerprint clearance process.

After the candidate has successfully completed the educator preparation program, and the program has submitted the candidate’s College Recommendation for the next level certificate (e.g., Initial and/or Professional, Provisional and/or Permanent), the Internship certificate is no longer valid.

To apply for an alternative certification, visit the NYSED's Applying for a Certificate webpage.