Special education teacher certification resources
New York City schools are required to adhere to state certification requirements. If you work in special education, you know that certification requirements are complicated and frequently change. Please check this page as well as the NYSED web site for the most current information.
Latest updates
- New York State established a new Students with Disabilities (All Grades) certificate as of Sept. 2022. Currently, colleges and universities are preparing to meet the requirements for this new certification. Grade band SWD certificates will continue to be recognized, and teachers who hold an existing grade band certificate will not need to obtain a new certification. Visit the NYSED website for additional information and updates.
- Check out the New York City Department of Education’s recently posted Frequently Asked Questions: All Grades Students with Disabilities Certification
Special Education certification information
- The NYSUT Fact Sheet below begins with a succinct explanation of the history of special education certification in New York State. More importantly, it contains information that every special education teacher should know about special education certification requirements. The chart explaining what certificate is required to serve at specific levels and in specific special education programs is particularly important.
- NYSUT Fact Sheet 20-10 - NYS Certification: Students with Disabilities
- Special Education Teacher Certification Options
- History and Rationale for Change in Certification Requirements for Teachers of Special Classes in Grades 7 -12 (also see related item)
- Special Education Teaching Assignments and Certification
- Statement of Continued Eligibility (SOCE) for Teachers of Students with Disabilities Who Teach a Special Class in Grades 7 -12 (NOTE: the deadline to apply for this SOCE was June 30, 2021)
- Limited Extension to Teach a Subject in a Special Class Grades 7-12
- Subject Area Extension in Grades 5-9 and 7-12 for Special Education Teachers
- Students with Disabilities Generalist Grade Level Extensions
- Special Education Licensing Side Letter (Probationary period for teachers working under non-special education license who also hold a Students with Disabilities Certificate)
- Incidental Teaching