Certification and Employment
Applying For Certification
Click on the following link for step-by-step directions of how to apply for a certificate, as well as program codes and how to send the information to Geneseo.
Useful Advising information and links from the Dean of Academics website:
New York State Education Department "Certification from Start to Finish" http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/certprocess.html
Identification of Child Abuse and Maltreatment
Candidates who apply for certification on or after January 1, 1991 are required to complete a minimum of two contact hours of course work or training in the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. This requirement can be met by satisfactory completion of H&PE 350 or by completing a state-approved training workshop.
Current information is available at: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/ca.html
School Violence Intervention and Prevention
Candidates who apply for certification on or after February 2, 2001 are required to complete a minimum of two contact hours of course work or training in the warning signs related to violence, and policies related to safe climates, and effective classroom management.
Current information is available at: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/save.html
Fingerprinting and Criminal Background
All candidates for initial certification and all new school employees must be cleared through FBI fingerprinting and criminal background check. The costs for the fingerprinting and the background check are incurred by the candidate.
As of July 14, 2017, all fingerprinting must go through the approved Statewide Vendor Managed System. To start your fingerprinting process, please go to: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tsei/ospra/fpprocess.html
Previously when using the Live scan process a candidate had to first go to TEACH online in order to complete the application for fingerprinting and then locate a vendor to have prints scanned. Under the new process with MorphoTrust/IDEMIA, you will create an application and schedule your appointment all through either the website or phone.
- At the time of fingerprinting MorphoTrust will take a photograph of you.
- You must provide at least two forms of identification. At least one form of ID must include a photo.
If you have any questions, please contact the NYSED Fingerprint Helpdesk at: ospra@nysed.gov or call (518) 473-2998.
Candidates should still create a TEACH account at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach/ Through this account, you can check the status of your fingerprint clearance/background check, apply for certification, check to see what you need to complete the certification process, and so on. Visit the website for a complete list of services.
New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE)
Current forms, regulations, test dates, and test frameworks are available at: http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/ and http://www.highered.nysed.gov/ . Information is also available through the Career Development Office in Erwin 116.
Because things are continually changing, we strongly suggest you check in with the NYSTCE website http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/ regularly and not solely rely on our information on this page.