New York State Teacher Certification Exam Requirements
*Effective February 25, 2025, the NYSED announced a new NYSTCE Certification Exam Score Waiver Process which includes the Content Specialty Tests and Bilingual Education Assessments. The Educating All Students test (EAS) is not included but already has a reduced minimum passing score of 500 until the revised EAS is operational.
If you have achieved at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average or its equivalent in a program leading to a baccalaureate, or a graduate degree culminating in at least 30 credits, and have scored within 0.5 standard error of measurement (SEM) of the passing score on a required NYSTCE test, you may apply for a waiver. Please see details at NYSED Certification Exam Score Waiver
The link above includes a chart that outlines the 0.5 SEM Score, the minimum exam score if you have a 3.5 cumulative GPA in your bachelor's or master's degree.
If you are a current bachelor's student who will have a 3.5 or higher GPA upon graduation, you will need to wait until your degree has been conferred to order a transcript to submit to the NYSED. If you are a current master's student that did not have a 3.5 or higher GPA in your bachelor's degree, but will for your master's degree upon graduation, you will need to wait until your master's degree has been conferred to order a transcript to submit to the NYSED.
Please scroll down for required exams by major
The NYSED requires that candidates applying for NYS Initial Certification complete the exams listed below, please see details on the NYS Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE).
When registering for exams on the NYSTCE site, the NYCDOE Program selection question is not applicable. Click Next without making a selection.
- Educating All Students Test (EAS)
- Content Specialty Test(s) (dual certification program completers will need two or three CSTs depending on program)
For details, please see NYS Exams Fast Facts below.
New York State Exams Fast Facts
Educating All Students (EAS)
The Educating All Students test consists of selected-response items and constructed-response items. Each constructed-response item will share scenario-based stimulus material with several selected-response items. The EAS test measures the professional and pedagogical knowledge and skills necessary to teach all students – diverse student populations, English language learners, students with disabilities - effectively in New York State public schools.
- Offered Computer based
- Register and preparation materials at NYSTCE
- Fee $80
- Minimum Passing Score 500 (Score range 400-600) until revised EAS is operational then passing score returns to 520
- Test Length - 2 hours, 15 minutes
Preparation materials on NYSTCE and NYSED websites below:
EAS Practice Test Fee $14.00
Content Specialty Tests (CSTs)
The CSTs (except those for languages other than English) consist of multiple-choice questions and a written assignment. The CSTs for languages other than English include recorded listening and/or speaking components and writing components. CSTs measure knowledge and skills in the content area of the candidate's field of certification.
- Some offered computer based, some offered paper based
- Register and preparation materials at NYSTCE
- Fee $122 - $161 computer based depending on exam, $79 paper based
- Minimum Passing Score current CSTs 220 (score range 100-300), revised CSTs 520 (Score range 400-600)
- Test Length - 4 hours to 5 hours 15 minutes depending on exam
Preparation materials on NYSTCE and NYSED websites below:
Bilingual Education Assessments (BEAs)
The BEAs consist of multiple-choice questions and constructed-response assignments. They include recorded listening and speaking components in English and include listening, speaking, reading, and writing components in the target language. The BEAs are required of candidates seeking a bilingual education extension to a certificate.
- Offered computer based
- Register and preparation materials at NYSTCE
- Fee $65
- Minimum Passing Score 220 (score range 100-300)
- Test Length - 4 hours
Preparation materials on NYSTCE and NYSED websites below:
NYS Exam Requirements by Major for Undergraduate Programs, Graduate Programs, and NYU Teacher Residency
Undergraduate Programs
Childhood Education/Childhood Special Education
Required exams: EAS, Multi-Subject: Teachers of Childhood 1-6 CST (All three parts), Students with Disabilities CST
Certificates: Childhood Education 1-6, Students with Disabilities 1-6
Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education
Required exams: EAS, Multi-Subject: Early Childhood B-2 CST (All three parts), Students with Disabilities CST
Certificates: Early Childhood Education B-2, Students with Disabilities B-2
Educational Theatre
Required exams: EAS, Theatre CST
Certificate: Theatre, All Grades (PreK-12)
English Education
Required exams: EAS, English Language Arts CST
Certificates: English Language Arts 7-12, English Language Arts 5-6 extension option
World Language Education
Required exams: EAS, Specific World Language CST
Certificates: Specific World Language 7-12, Specific World Language 5-6 extension option
Mathematics Education
Required exams: EAS, Mathematics CST
Certificates: Mathematics 7-12, Mathematics 5-6 extension option
Music Education
Required exams: EAS, Music CST
Certificate: Music, All Grades (PreK-12)
Science Education
Required exams: EAS, Specific Science CST
Certificate: Specific Science 7-12
Social Studies Education
Required exams: EAS, Social Studies CST
Certificate: Social Studies 7-12, Social Studies 5-6 extension option
Graduate Programs
Art Education
Required exams: EAS, Visual Arts CST
Certificate: Visual Arts, All Grades (PreK-12)
Bilingual Education*
Required exams: BEA (in target language)
Certificate: Bilingual Extension
*must hold appropriate base certificate
Childhood Education/Childhood Special Education
Required exams: EAS, Multi-Subject: Childhood Ed 1-6 CST (All three parts), Students with Disabilities CST
Certificates: Childhood Education 1-6, Students with Disabilities 1-6
Dance Education
Required exams: EAS, Dance CST
Certificate: Dance, All Grades (PreK-12)
Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education
Required exams: EAS, Multi-Subject: Early Childhood Ed B-2 CST (All three parts), Students with Disabilities CST
Certificates: Early Childhood Education B-2, Students with Disabilities B-2
Educational Theatre
Required exams: EAS, Theatre CST
Certificate: Theatre, All Grades (PreK-12)
Educational Theatre and English 7-12
Required exams: EAS, Theatre CST, English Language Arts CST
Certificates: Theatre, All Grades (PreK-12), English Language Arts 7-12
Educational Theatre and Social Studies 7-12
Required exams: EAS, Theatre CST, Social Studies CST
Certificates: Theatre, All Grades (PreK-12), Social Studies 7-12
English Education
Required exams: EAS, English Language Arts CST
Certificates: English Language Arts 7-12, English Language Arts 5-6 extension option
English Education and Students with Disabilities 7-12
Required exams: EAS, English Language Arts CST, Students with Disabilities CST, Multi-Subject: Secondary 7-12 CST (All three parts)
Certificates: English Language Arts 7-12, English Language Arts 5-6 extension option, Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist
World Language Education
Required exams: EAS, World Language CST
Certificates: Specific World Language 7-12, Specific World Language 5-6 extension option
Literacy Birth-6
Required exams: Literacy CST
Certificate: Literacy B-6
*must hold appropriate base certificate
Literacy 5-12
Required exams: Literacy CST
Certificate: Literacy 5-12
*must hold appropriate base certificate
Mathematics Education
Required exams: EAS, Mathematics CST
Certificates: Mathematics 7-12, Mathematics 5-6 extension option
Music Education
Required exams: EAS, Music CST
Certificate: Music, All Grades (PreK-12)
School Building Leader
Required exams: School Building Leader - Parts 1 and 2, EAS
Certificate: School Building Leader
School Counselor
Required exams: School Counselor CST
Certificate: School Counselor
School Counselor, Bilingual
Required exams: School Counselor CST, BEA (in target language)
Certificates: School Counselor, Bilingual Extension
School District Leader
Required exams: School District Leader - Parts 1 and 2, EAS
Certificate: School District Leader
Science Education
Required exams: EAS, Specific Science CST
Certificate: Specific Science 7-12
Social Studies Education
Required exams: EAS, Social Studies CST
Certificate: Social Studies 7-12, Social Studies 5-6 extension option
Social Studies Education and Students with Disabilities 7-12
Required exams: EAS, Social Studies CST, Students with Disabilities CST, Multi-Subject: Secondary 7-12 CST (All three parts)
Certificates: Social Studies 7-12, Social Studies 5-6 extension option, Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist
Special Education, Childhood
Required exams: Students with Disabilities CST
Certificates: Students with Disabilities 1-6
*must hold NYS Childhood 1-6 certificate
Special Education, Early Childhood
Required exams: Students with Disabilities CST
Certificates: Students with Disabilities B-2
*must hold NYS Early Childhood B-2 certificate
Speech and Language Disabilities
Required exams: EAS, Speech Language Pathology Praxis II* see ets.org/praxis (required for Professional Certification)
BEA (in target language) required for Bilingual Extension
Certificate(s): Speech and Language Disabilities, All Grades (PreK-12), Bilingual Extension (Bilingual track only)
Teaching Students with Disabilities 7-12 and Computer Science
Required exams: EAS, Students with Disabilities CST, Multi-Subject: Secondary 7-12 CST (All three parts), Computer Science CST
Certificates: Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist, Computer Science, All Grades (PreK-12)
TESOL - Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
Required exams: EAS, ESOL CST
Certificates: English to Speakers of Other Languages, All Grades (PreK-12)
TESOL and World Language
Required exams: EAS, ESOL CST, Specific World Language CST
Certificates: English to Speakers of Other Languages, All Grades (PreK-12), Specific World Language 7-12
Teacher Residency (NYU TR)
English Education
Required exams: EAS, English Language Arts CST
Certificates: English Language Arts 7-12, English Language Arts 5-6 extension option
Inclusive Childhood Education (July 2024 and Prior Years Completers)
Required exams: EAS, Multi-Subject: Childhood Ed 1-6 CST (All three parts), Students with Disabilities CST
Certificates: Childhood Education 1-6, Students with Disabilities 1-6
Inclusive Childhood Education (July 2025 and After Completers)
Required exams: EAS, Multi-Subject: Childhood Ed 1-6 CST (All three parts), Students with Disabilities CST
Certificates: Childhood Education 1-6, Students with Disabilities, All Grades PreK-12
Mathematics Education
Required exams: EAS, Mathematics CST
Certificates: Mathematics 7-12, Mathematics 5-6 extension option
Science Education
Required exams: EAS, Specific Science CST
Certificate: Specific Science 7-12, 5-6 extension option
Social Studies Education
Required exams: EAS, Social Studies CST
Certificate: Social Studies 7-12, Social Studies 5-6 extension option
Students with Disabilities 7-12 (July 2024 and Prior Years Completers)
Required exams: EAS, Students with Disabilities CST, Multi-Subject: Secondary 7-12 CST (All three parts)
Certificates: Students with Disabilities 7-12 Generalist
Students with Disabilities, All Grades PreK-12 (July 2025 and After Completers)
Required exams:
EAS
Students with Disabilities CST
Multi-Subject: Childhood Ed 1-6 CST (All three parts)
OR
Multi-Subject: Middle Childhood 5-9 CST (All three parts)
OR
Multi-Subject: Secondary 7-12 CST (All three parts)
Certificate: Students with Disabilities, All Grades PreK-12
Contact
For all questions and concerns related to NYU Steinhardt certification programs not addressed in these pages, please contact:
Mark J. Perez
Certification Officer
NYU Steinhardt
82 Washington Square East, Room 229
New York, New York 10003
(212) 998-5033
(212) 995-4353 fax
mark.perez@nyu.edu