The DOE Pest Management professional will inspect and, if necessary, treat the room in which the specimen was captured. In most cases, a thorough inspection and vacuuming of the room with a HEPA vacuum by the Pest Management Unit professional is the best treatment when there is not an infestation. If the Pest Management Professional determines that there is an infestation (bed bugs living and reproducing in the room), the rooms above, below and adjacent to the infested room will be inspected and treated as necessary.

Parents of students in the entire building must be notified if there is an infestation, according to state law. An infestation is identified by bed bug reproduction in a given area. A single confirmed bed bug does not constitute an infestation. A DOE Pest Management professional must inspect the school and determine whether there is an infestation. Schools are not a friendly environment for bed bugs and the chance of an infestation is low. If it is determined that your school is infested, the Pest Management Unit will provide notification materials to share with parents and building staff.

See the New York State law regarding the notification of parents »

Learn to identify the signs of bed bugs (visit the Health Department’s website or call 311 for additional information). Frequently inspect your rooms; if you see signs of bed bugs, report them immediately. If you capture a suspected specimen, submit it to the DOE Pest Management Unit following the procedures outlined in the beginning of this kit. Check your furniture frequently for bed bugs, especially chairs and couches. Get rid of clutter to reduce places in which bed bugs can hide and discard anything that is not being used. Seal cracks and crevices, and vacuum periodically. Consider removing rugs.

Simply fill out the online form at www.uft.org/text or type the word "UFT" to number 86366.

The UFT uses text messages to convey important information and reminders to members. Please note that this is a one-way form of communication and we are unable to respond individually to texts sent in response to our messages. 

To contact the UFT, call 212-331-6311. 

You may be interested in an alternative teacher certification program specifically designed for career changers. While you must meet all coursework and other requirements, these programs offer a time-shortened, intensive preparation program operated cooperatively by a college and school district.  Alternative programs also allow you to be employed as a teacher while in the program.

Yes, you must hold a New York State certificate to teach in the state's public schools. Reciprocity under the Interstate Agreement of Qualification of Educational Personnel is limited to coursework requirements only. You must complete any examination requirements a member state may have. 

No. As long as you hold the minimum degree (usually a bachelor's degree, with a minimum 2.5 GPA) required for a certificate, you may submit an application at any time. In order to receive a written evaluation of your status for a certificate you must file an application, submit payment, and submit official transcripts.

No. An individual who holds more than one classroom teaching certificate may meet the three-year experience requirement with any three years of classroom teaching experience. For instance, a teacher who holds the Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and English (Grades 7-12) certificates could satisfy the experience requirement for both certificates by teaching for three years in an elementary classroom, three years as a secondary English teacher, or a combination of both.

Please note that service in one of the three certificate areas (classroom teaching, pupil personnel service, and school leadership) may not be used to satisfy the experience requirement in either of the other two areas.

You should be aware that the Office of Teaching Initiatives does not endorse, pre-approve, or accredit programs or coursework completed at institutions located outside the State of New York.

Information regarding colleges and universities within New York State that have an approved teacher preparation program can be found at www.highered.nysed.gov/ocue/ded/database.html

If you plan on taking individual courses at an institution that is located in New York, go to www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/faqcw.html to determine what courses would be acceptable.

All applicants for certificates, licensees, or permits must undergo a fingerprint-supported criminal history background check. State law requires the State Education Department to conduct these background checks for all school personnel, including applicants for certification, in addition to all prospective employees of school districts, charter schools and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES).

Fingerprinting services are no longer available at DOE facilities. As of May 5, 2022, all fingerprinting for DOE candidates will be handled by a third-party vendor, IdentoGO. Candidates who receive a nomination and require fingerprinting will need to register and be fingerprinted with IdentoGO. For more information on the fingerprinting process, refer to the DOE HR website and the DOE InfoHub (login required). 

The Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability (OSPRA) within the Office of Teaching Initiatives is responsible for monitoring this process. Criminal History Background checks require a $91.50 payment, which covers both a NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services search and an FBI review.  For more information contact OSPRA at ospra [at] mail [dot] nysed [dot] gov (ospra[at]mail[dot]nysed[dot]gov)