Teaching Assistant Certification

In response to the national teacher shortage and with input from NYS stakeholders, changes were made to Sections 52.21, 80-1.2, 80-3.7, and 80-5.6 and Subpart 80-6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Teaching Assistant Certification have created expanded pathways for Teaching Assistants to broaden the scope of responsibilities and has created opportunities for teaching assistants to become teachers.

The TA I, II, III, TA I Renewal, and the TA Pre-Professional certificates will be phased out and replaced with the TA Initial, TA Pre-Professional, and TA Professional level certificates.

This chart outlines the phase out timeline.

Title	Date
All new TA titles and Pathways operational	10/01/2025
TA I application active until	09/30/2025
All requirements met for TA I applications on file	12/31/2025
TA I Renewal application active until	02/01/2029
TA II application active until	08/31/2028
All requirements met for TA II applications on file	12/31/2028
TA III application active until	08/31/2031
All requirements met for TA III applications on file	02/01/2032

 

 

Information for those who currently hold a valid TA Level I, TA Level II, or TA Level III certificate*

*If you have applied and paid for a level I certificate application, you have until December 31, 2025, to meet all requirements.

I hold a Teaching Assistant Level I certificate If you possess a valid TA Level 1 certificate, you have the following options:   Progress to TA level II Progress to TA level III Apply for Initial TA certificate Requirements: Paid application on file by 08/31/2028 Acceptable documentation of one year (180 days) of certified TA experience 9 college credits Workshops   Requirements: Paid application on file by 08/31/2031 Acceptable documentation of one year (180 days) of certified TA experience 18 college credits Workshops   Requirements: Refer to Initial TA certificate requirements below. NOTE: This certificate can be renewed every five years. A fee is required for each renewal.

I hold a Level II Teaching Assistant certificate If you possess a valid TA Level 1 certificate, you have the following options:   Progress to TA level III Apply for Initial TA certificate Apply for Professional TA certificate Requirements: Paid application on file by 08/31/2031 Acceptable documentation of one year (180 days) of certified TA experience 18 college credits Workshops Requirements: See Initial TA certificate requirements below. NOTE: This certificate can be renewed every five years. A new paid application is required for each renewal. Requirements: Link to Professional TA page that includes chart.

I hold a Teaching Assistant Level III certificate If you possess a valid TA Level 1 certificate, you have the following options:   Keep your TA Level III certificate Apply for Initial TA certificate Apply for Professional TA certificate Requirements: Continue to reregister your certificate every 5 years. Continue to complete 100 hours of CTLE per five-year registration period in TEACH. Requirements: Updated Workshops if applicable. NOTE: This certificate can be renewed every five years. A new paid application is required for each renewal. Requirements: Link to Professional TA page that includes chart.

 

 

Information for those applying for a Teaching Assistant certificate on or after October 1, 2025.

 

Initial TA certificate	TA Initial Renewal	Pre-Professional TA	Professional TA
Requirements: Application and fee High School Diploma, GED, HSE or College degree ATAS Workshops Fingerprint Clearance	Requirements: Hold/Held Initial TA certificate Application and fee 100 hours of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE)	Requirements:   Pre-Professional TA page	Requirements:   Link to Professional TA page that includes chart.

 

 

 

Initial TA Certificate

Valid for 5 years

 

Requirements:

1. Paid application on file.
2. Conferral of a High School Diploma or GED

• Only official transcripts of these documents will be accepted. Please see: https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/transcripts.html

3. A passing score on the ATAS exam.

• For exam information, please use this link.  

4. All workshops required for certification.

• Workshops must be completed through a NYS Approved Provider.
• All workshop completion will be reported by the workshop provider. We will not accept certificates of completion from applicants.
• Please see our website for workshop information. https://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/workshops-required-for-educator-certification.html

5. Fingerprint clearance

• All fingerprinting must be completed by Identogo and only for certification, not “employment”.
• Please use this link to set up a fingerprint appointment. 

 

 

 

 

Initial TA Renewal

Valid for 5 years

Requirements:

1. Paid application on file.
2. Conferral of a High School Diploma or GED

• This was already verified when you obtained your Initial TA certificate. You do NOT need to send it again.

3. A passing score on the ATAS exam.

• You have already passed this exam and do not need to take it again. Your scores will carry over to the Renewal application.

4. All workshops required for certification.

• You have already completed this requirement, but make sure there are no new workshops to be completed.

5. Fingerprint clearance

• You have already completed this requirement and do not need to be fingerprinted again.

6. Completion of 100 hours of Continuing Teacher Leader Education (CTLE).

• You will attest to having completed these hours when you apply for the Initial TA Renewal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-Professional Certificate

Valid for 5 years

 

Pre-Professional TA Option A: Matriculation in a NYS Registered Teacher Preparation Program

1. Paid application on file.
2. Conferral of a High School Diploma or GED

• This would be verified by the Teacher Preparation Program you are enrolled in. You do not need to have official transcripts sent to OTI.

3. Enrollment in a NYS Approved Teacher Preparation Program

• Enrollment must be in a NYS Approved Teacher Preparation Program that leads to certification in NYS.

4. NYS Approved Teacher Preparation Program Recommendation.

• This statement would be entered by the college into your TEACH account verifying that you are matriculated into the program leading to teacher certification and continue to make progress toward graduation.
• This recommendation will also verify you have completed 18 SH (Semester Hours) of acceptable coursework toward your degree.

5. One year of TA experience under a valid TA certificate.

• Experience while holding a TA I, II, or TA III certificate are acceptable.
• This statement would be entered into your TEACH account by your current/previous employer(s) via Superintendent Statement. You must contact the HR department of the district(s) to request the information be entered if it is not in your account already.

6. A passing score on the ATAS exam.

• You have already passed this exam and do not need to take it again. Your scores will carry over to this application.

7. All workshops required for certification.

• You have already completed this requirement, but make sure there are no new workshops that may need to be completed.

8. Fingerprint clearance

• You have already completed this requirement.  You do not need to be fingerprinted again.

 

 

Pre-Professional TA Option B: Matriculation in a NYS Registered Teaching Assistant Program

1. Paid application on file.
2. Conferral of a High School Diploma or GED

• This would be verified by the Teacher Preparation Program you are enrolled in. You do not need to have official transcripts sent to OTI.

3. Enrollment in a NYS Approved Teaching Assistant Program.

• Enrollment must be in a NYS Approved Teaching Assistant Program that leads to Professional TA certification.

4. NYS Approved Teaching Assistant Program Recommendation.

• This statement would be entered by the college into your TEACH account verifying that you are Matriculated into the program and continue to make progress toward graduation.
• This recommendation will also verify you have completed 18 SH of acceptable coursework toward your degree.

5. One year of TA experience under a valid TA certificate.

• Experience while holding a TA I, TA I Renewal, TA II, TA III, Initial TA, or Initial TA Renewal certificate are acceptable.
• This statement would be entered into your TEACH account by your current/previous employer(s) via Superintendent Statement. You must contact the HR department of the district(s) to request the information be entered if it is not in your account already.

6. A passing score on the ATAS exam.

• You have already passed this exam and do not need to take it again. Your scores will carry over to this application.

7. All workshops required for certification.

• You have already completed this requirement but make sure there are no new workshops required.

8. Fingerprint clearance

• You have already completed this requirement and do not need to be fingerprinted again.

 

Pre-Professional TA Option C: Individual Evaluation

1. Paid application on file.
2. Conferral of a High School Diploma or GED

• This has already been verified when you earned your previous TA certificate(s). You do not need to have official transcripts sent to OTI.

3. 18 SH (Semester Hours) of college coursework with acceptable grades

• 9 SH of Pedagogical Core from one or more of these areas including Human Development, Teaching Students with Disabilities, Teaching Literacy Skills, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, and/or Foundations of Education.​
• 9 SH of additional Pedagogical Core (as described above) or coursework in ELA, math, science, and/or Social Studies or a combination of both.
• Minimum grade requirements: "C" or better for undergraduate coursework, "B-" or better for graduate coursework.

4. One year of TA experience under a valid TA certificate.

• Experience while holding a TA I, TA I Renewal, TA II, TA III, Initial TA, or Initial TA Renewal certificate is acceptable.
• The Verification of experience would be entered into your TEACH account by your current/previous employer(s) via Superintendent Statement. You must contact the HR department of the district(s) to request the information be entered if it is not in your account already.

5. A passing score on the ATAS exam.

• You have already passed this exam. You do not need to take it again. Your scores will carry over to this application.

6. All workshops required for certification.

• You have already completed this requirement, but make sure there are no new workshops required.

7. Fingerprint clearance

• You have already completed this requirement. You do not need to be fingerprinted again.

 

 

Pre-Professional TA Option D

Matriculation in a NYS community college with an Articulation Agreement with a NYS Approved Teacher Preparation Program.

1. Paid application on file.
2. Conferral of a High School Diploma or GED

• This would be verified by the Teacher Preparation Program in which you are currently enrolled. You do not need to have official transcripts sent to OTI.

3. You must be enrolled in a registered NYS community college that has an articulation agreement with a NYS Approved Teacher Preparation Program that will lead to teacher certification.

• A letter on college letterhead must be submitted to the Office of Teaching by the Department Chair or Dean, indicating that you are matriculated in a teacher preparation program and are working toward the requirements of graduation.

4. 18 SH (Semester Hours) of college coursework

• 9 SH of Pedagogical Core from one or more of these areas including Human Development, Teaching Students with Disabilities, Teaching Literacy Skills, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, and/or Foundations of Education.​
• 9 SH of additional Pedagogical Core (as described above) or coursework in ELA, math, science, and/or Social Studies or a mix of both.
• Minimum grade requirements: "C" or better for undergraduate coursework, "B-" or better for graduate coursework.

5. One year of TA experience under a valid TA certificate.

• Experience while holding a TA I, TA I Renewal, TA II, TA III, Initial TA, or Initial TA Renewal certificate is acceptable.
• The verification of experience would be entered into your TEACH account by your current/previous employer(s) via Superintendent Statement. You must contact the HR department of the district(s) to request the information be entered if it is not in your account already.

6. A passing score on the ATAS exam.

• You have already passed this exam. You do not need to take it again. Your scores will carry over to this application.

7. All workshops required for certification.

• You have already completed this requirement but make sure there are no new workshops required.

8. Fingerprint clearance

• You have already completed this requirement and do not need to be fingerprinted again.

 

 

 

Pre-Professional TA Renewal Certificate

Valid for five years

 

Option 1: Matriculation in a NYS Registered Teacher Preparation Program

1. Paid application on file.
2. Hold/Held a Pre-Professional TA certificate.
3. Conferral of a High School Diploma or GED

• This would be verified by the Teacher Preparation Program in which you are enrolled. You do not need to have official transcripts sent to OTI.

4. Current enrollment in a NYS Approved Teacher Preparation Program

• Enrollment must be in a NYS Approved Teacher Preparation Program that leads to certification in NYS.

5. NYS Approved Teacher Preparation Program Recommendation.

• This recommendation would be entered by the college into your TEACH account verifying that you are matriculated in the NYS approved teacher preparation program leading to teacher certification and continue to make progress toward graduation.
• This recommendation will also verify you have completed 30 semester hours (SH)of acceptable coursework toward your degree.

6. A passing score on the ATAS exam.

• You have already passed this exam. You do not need to take it again. Your scores will carry over to this application.

7. All workshops required for certification.

• You have already completed this requirement but make sure there are no new workshops required.

8. Fingerprint clearance

• You have already completed this requirement and do not need to be fingerprinted again.

 

Option 2: Matriculation in a NYS community college with an Articulation Agreement with a NYS Approved Teacher Preparation Program.

1. Paid application on file.
2. Conferral of a High School Diploma or GED

• This would be verified by the community college in which you are actively enrolled. You do not need to have official transcripts sent to OTI.

3. You must be currently enrolled in a NYS community college that has an articulation agreement with a NYS Approved Teacher Preparation Program that will lead to teacher certification.

• A letter on college letterhead must be submitted to the Office of Teaching by the Department Chair or Dean, indicating that you are matriculated in a program and are working toward the requirements of graduation.
• This letter will also verify you have completed 30 semester hours (SH) of acceptable coursework toward your degree.

4. A passing score on the ATAS exam.

• You have already passed this exam and do not need to take it again. Your scores will carry over to the Renewal application.

5. All workshops required for certification.

• You have already completed this requirement but make sure there are no new workshops required.

6. Fingerprint clearance

• You have already completed this requirement. You do not need to be fingerprinted again.

 

 

 

Professional TA Certificate

Does not expire

 

Option A: Individual Evaluation (you do not hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher)

1. Paid application on file.
2. Conferral of a High School Diploma or GED

• This has already been verified when you earned your previous TA certificate(s). You do not need to have official transcripts sent to OTI.

3. 18 SH (Semester Hours) of college coursework

• 9 SH of Pedagogical Core from one or more of these areas including Human Development, Teaching Students with Disabilities, Teaching Literacy Skills, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, and/or Foundations of Education.​
• 9 SH of additional Pedagogical Core (as described above) or coursework in ELA, math, science, and/or Social Studies or a combination of both.
• Minimum grade requirements of a C or better for undergraduate coursework or B- or better for graduate level coursework apply.

4. Three years of TA experience under a valid TA certificate.

• Experience while holding a TA I, TA I Renewal, TA II, TA III, Initial TA, Initial TA Renewal or Pre-Professional certificate is acceptable.
• This requirement can also be met if you hold/held a classroom teaching certificate and can verify one year of teaching experience while holding a valid teaching certificate.
• The verification of experience would be entered into your TEACH account by your current/previous employer(s) via Superintendent Statement. You must contact the HR department of the district(s) to request the information be entered if it is not in your account already.

8. A passing score on the ATAS exam.

• You have already passed this exam and do not need to take it again. Your scores will carry over to this application.
• If you hold/held a valid teaching certificate and passed a CST for the certificate, this requirement can be waived.

9. All workshops required for certification.

• You have already completed this requirement but make sure there are no new workshops required.

10. Fingerprint clearance

• You have already completed this requirement and do not need to be fingerprinted again.

 

 

Option B: Individual Evaluation (you hold a conferred Bachelor’s degree or higher)

1. Bachelor’s degree or higher in any major.

• Please request all of your official transcripts sent to the Office of Teaching for evaluation under this pathway. To learn more about requesting official transcripts, please visit our website here                                      (Note: We do not accept transcripts sent by the applicant.)

2. The conferred Bachelor’s degree must show a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher.
3. Three years of TA experience under a valid TA certificate.

• Experience while holding a TA I, TA I Renewal, TA II, TA III, Initial TA, Initial TA Renewal or Pre-Professional certificate is acceptable.
• This requirement can also be met if you hold/held a classroom teaching certificate and can verify one year of teaching experience while holding a valid teaching certificate.
• This statement would be entered into your TEACH account by your current/previous employer(s) via Superintendent Statement. You must contact the HR department of the district(s) to request the information be entered if it is not in your account already.

4. A passing score on the ATAS exam.

• You have already passed this exam and do not need to take it again. Your scores will carry over to this application.
• If you hold/held a valid teaching certificate and passed a CST for the certificate, this requirement can be waived.

5. All workshops required for certification.

• You have already completed this requirement but make sure there are no new workshops required.

6. Fingerprint clearance

• You have already completed this requirement and do not need to be fingerprinted again.

Option C: Completion of a NYS Approved Teaching Assistant Program

1. Paid application on file.
2. Completion of a NYS Approved Teaching Assistant Program.
3. NYS Approved Teaching Assistant Program Recommendation.

• This recommendation would be entered by the college into your TEACH account verifying that you have completed a teaching assistant program registered with NYS and that your degree has been conferred.

4. Three years of TA experience under a valid TA certificate.

• Experience while holding a TA I, TA I Renewal, TA II, TA III, Initial TA, Initial TA Renewal or Pre-Professional certificate is acceptable.
• This requirement can also be met if you hold/held a classroom teaching certificate and can verify one year of teaching experience while holding a valid teaching certificate.
• This statement would be entered into your TEACH account by your current/previous employer(s) via Superintendent Statement. You must contact the HR department of the district(s) to request the information be entered if it is not in your account already.

5. A passing score on the ATAS exam.

• You have already passed this exam and do not need to take it again. Your scores will carry over to this application.

6. All workshops required for certification.

• You have already completed this requirement but make sure there are no new workshops required.

7. Fingerprint clearance

• You have already completed this requirement and do not need to be fingerprinted again.