NYS teacher certification

mra01385 ↓

Fri, Jul 29 2022, 12:43 am

Has anybody recently applied for NYS teacher certification and know how long it took for the application to be processed? Did any body get their certification application expedited? I’m in the middle of applying for emergency certification for the initial reissuance and was told it could take several weeks to process. I’m worried I won’t be able to start teaching in September.

seeker ↓

Fri, Jul 29 2022, 1:36 am

If you are positive that you met the requirements and will eventually be certified, they backdate it to when you applied. Many employers are willing to rely on that.

nicole81

Fri, Jul 29 2022, 2:22 am

mra01385 wrote:

Back in March it took 3 months to process my district leader professional certification. But... they work extra hard over the summer to get teachers in classrooms by September. If you are working in the public schools, and receive a job offer or have a job already, the HR department can expedite some of the processing.

↑ seeker ↓

Fri, Jul 29 2022, 1:07 pm

It might depend on the district but in my experience they are always willing to backdate it. Wait to submit the P4 form until you have your certification number but write your actual start date. Also usually P4 kids aren't ready to start the second school starts. So odds are strong you'll have it in time. But here's an example scenario:

You applied for certification July 1.
School starts Sept 1.
Make sure parents have the P4 form and that the start date is today or earlier.
Hang on to the P4 form, don't send it in. Start working with the kid.
Your certification comes through on Sept 30. You look on the TEACH website - even though it only got approved Sept 30, it shows up as being valid since July 1.
Send in your P4 form with the start date as Sept 1.
Receive approval to start P4 on Sept 1, even though it's already October.
Bill for the services you provided in Sept.
Moderate stress but no problem.

You need to be prepared to take the risk that it won't go through, but in my experience it's a very low risk.

↑ mra01385

Fri, Jul 29 2022, 1:10 pm

Thanks for the advice. I didn’t apply yet. I hope to apply next week. I also don’t have any cases yet. I’m not sure I’ll get cases from the school until I’m approved, cuz I’m worried they’ll say I’m not eligible until I’m officially certified.

↑ seeker

Fri, Jul 29 2022, 1:18 pm

Bit of a late start but I still think you should be OK if you are absolutely confident that you met all the requirements. You should also try calling periodically, you'll wait on hold a lot but sometimes it takes a squeaky wheel. If the school doesn't want to give you cases right away, there will always be kids getting approved midyear and all the other providers are already booked up.