Teacher Certification
College Recommendation for NYS Educator Certification
What is College Recommendation?
Students who complete an educator preparation program at ºì¶¹ÊÓƵ can be recommended for a certificate provided that program has been registered by the New York State Education Department as leading to the designated certificate.Ìý The college recommendation is entered by the ºì¶¹ÊÓƵ Teacher Certification Office using the TEACH Online Services system (it is an electronic entry, not a letter).Ìý Students will be asked to submit a college recommendation request form during the final semester of their program.
How do I request College Recommendation?
Click the link to submit a .
NYSED Required Workshops
You must have completed the following workshops in order to receive College Recommendation:
- School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SAVE)
- Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)
- Child Abuse Identification (Second Update) *This requirement was updated as of September 1, 2025.Ìý All candidates must have completed the Second Update.Ìý For more information click the following link:
The Autism workshop is only required for Students With Disabilities titles and will be included in Special Ed/SWD programs.
Check your to verify workshop completion by going to the Workshops section of your Account Information page (go toÌýTEACH Home → Account Information → Workshops).Ìý If your workshop completion has not been reported to TEACH Online please contact the workshop provider.
More Information:Ìýqc.cuny.edu/academics/se/workshop-information
When should I request College Recommendation?
During the final semester of your education program and after you have applied for graduation on CUNYFirst.
Spring GraduatesÌý(June 1)
Deadline to Apply for Graduation:ÌýMarch 1
Submit a College Recommendation Request:ÌýMarch 15 – May 15
Summer GraduatesÌý(September 1)
Deadline to Apply for Graduation:ÌýJuly 1
Submit a College Recommendation Request:ÌýJune 15 – August 1
Fall GraduatesÌý(January 1)
Deadline to Apply for Graduation:ÌýNovember 1
Submit a College Recommendation Request:ÌýNovember 15 – December 15
Winter GraduatesÌý(February 1)
Deadline to Apply for Graduation:ÌýJanuary 1
Submit a College Recommendation Request:ÌýJanuary 1 – February 1
Important
- All program completers mustÌýapply for graduationÌýon CUNYFirst.
- Candidates must have created & activated a TEACH accountÌýon theÌý.
- You must have completed the required NYSED Workshops.
- Your Social Security Number is required to access your TEACH Account.ÌýÌýIf your Social Security Number is not currently available on CUNYFirst please contact the Registrar’s Office to update your account.
- Your name and identifying information (SSN, DOB) must be an exact match on all accounts and documents (TEACH Online, CUNYFirst, Workshops, etc).
- The certification exams areÌýnotÌýrequired to receive College Recommendation.
- Check your QC Email (@stu-mail.qc.cuny.edu) for messages from tcert@qc.cuny.edu.
When will I receive College Recommendation for certification?
Only students who have completed their educator preparation program, including the New York State mandated workshops, and have had their degree or advanced certificate conferred, will be recommended for certification.Ìý The college cannot recommend students for certification until the Registrar’s Office Graduation Audit Unit completes its final degree audit and the degree or advanced certificate is officially conferred/awarded on the transcript.Ìý The college recommendation will be entered on your TEACH Account within approximately 5 business days AFTER the degree or advanced certificate has been awarded on your transcript.
Understanding your Graduation Status
The official degree audit is conducted by the Office of the Registrar, Graduation Audit Unit, and supersedes all other indications that the student has completed all the degree requirements. The degree audit is the final step before degree conferral.
Step 1: File for graduation via your CUNYfirst account. Please be aware of the application deadline.
Once complete your graduation status will be listed as “Applied for Graduation.â€
Step 2: Your student record will be reviewed for completion of the college’s general education requirements, pending the completion of the current semester’s coursework.
Once complete your graduation status will change to “Program in Review.â€
Step 3: Your student record will then be reviewed for major/minor specific requirements.
Once complete your graduation status will change to “Needs to Finish Pending Work.â€
Step 4: After grades have been posted to your account and the college’s grading process is complete, a final review of your application will be completed, and the graduation notation will be posted.
Once complete your graduation status will change to “Degree Awarded.â€
More information: qc.cuny.edu/registrar/graduation-diplomas-degreeworks
Degree Conferral
Degree conferral does NOT take place immediately upon completion of your program. After grades have been posted to your account and the college’s grading process is complete, a final review of your graduation application will be completed, and the degree conferral notation will be posted on your transcript. Participating in the commencement ceremony does NOT mean your degree has been conferred.
Spring Graduates (June 1)
Degree Audit & Conferral occurs June – July.
College Recommendation is expected by July 25.
Summer Graduates (September 1)
Degree Audit & Conferral occurs September – October.
College Recommendation is expected by October 15.
Fall Graduates (January 1)
Degree Audit & Conferral occurs January – March.
College Recommendation is expected by March 1.
Winter Graduates (February 1)
Degree Audit & Conferral occurs February – April.
College Recommendation is expected by April 1.
Periodically check your to see if the College Recommendation has been entered by going to TEACH Home → Account Information → College Recommendations.
How do I apply for certification?
Candidates who have received a college recommendation will be able to apply for certification via the application pathway.
- Check if the college recommendation has been entered on yourÌý, go toÌýTEACH Home → Account Information → College Recommendations.
- Student Application Information & Program CodesÌýcan be found here: qc.cuny.edu/academics/se/cert-application-info
- Check theÌý of your application or view issued certificates by going toÌýTEACH Home → Account Information → Certificates.
- For questions about your application contact the NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives:Ìý
Please Note
College recommended applicants must also satisfy theÌýtesting requirementÌýand obtainÌýfingerprint clearance before the certificate can be issued.
Fingerprint Clearance
Check yourÌýÌýto confirm that you have fingerprint clearanceÌý(go to TEACH Home → Account Information → Fingerprinting).ÌýÌýIf you see one of the following statements on your TEACH account –ÌýWe have received your fingerprint information from NYCÌýORÌýYour DCJS and FBI results have been receivedÌý– you have fingerprint clearance, no further action is required.
Students who have been fingerprinted by NYC Public Schools (NYC DOE) for student teaching and require their fingerprint clearance to be transferred to New York State for certification should submit anÌýÌýÌýFor instructions on how to submit the OSPRA 104 formÌýclick here.ÌýPlease note it may take several weeks for the OSPRA 104 form to be processed and fingerprint clearance to be posted on your TEACH account.
More information:Ìý
Certification Exams
New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE)