How to Apply for SWD All Grades (PreK – Grade 12) Professional Certification

You MUST apply for the Early Childhood SWD Professional certificates first. Then, once they have been issued, you can apply using the following instructions.

If you have not done so already, you need to send your official Undergraduate and Graduate transcripts to TEACH. If you completed both degrees with Mount Saint Vincent, you can order your official transcript by following these instructions. When you are asked to choose where to send your transcript, type “Office of Teaching Initiatives”. This should lead to the email address, [email protected], which is the correct information. (Make sure to order the transcript after your degree is conferred.)

(If you completed your Undergraduate degree with Concordia College, you can follow these instructions. If you completed your Undergraduate degree with another college, you will need to order the transcript from them.)

SWD All Grades (PreK-Grade 12) Professional Certification (Cost for Certificate: $100)

1. Go to the TEACH website (www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach)

2. On the right side of the screen click “login to TEACH”

3. After you login to your TEACH account, on the left column under Online Application, click “Apply for a Certificate”

4. Read the first page and click “Next” at the bottom of the page. 

5. After that is done you can click on “Next” at the end of the page and then verify personal, work and education information and click “Next” at the bottom of the page. 

6. This will take you to Step 2 – Select Certificates.

7. In the Drop Down Menus:

• Select your Area of Interest (Classroom Teacher)

• Select your Subject Area (Students with Disabilities)

• Select the Grade Level (PreK – 12 All Grades)

• Select the Title (Students with Disabilities, All Grades)

• Select the Type of Certificate (Professional Certificate)

• Click “Add”

(You do not need to be concerned if the application skips to Step 13 at this point.)

8. CHECK THE BOX WHICH SAYS: No, I have not completed, nor am I enrolled in, an Approved Teacher Preparation Program at a New York State College or University for this certificate and this type. 

9. Click “Next”

10. For Interstate Reciprocity, click “No, I am not eligible to apply through the Interstate Reciprocity Pathway”

11. Click on the dot for Pathway: Additional Classroom Teaching Certificate and click “Next”. 

12. If a drop down menu appears just scroll down to the “Next” button.

13. On the next page which appears, click on the checkbox by Review Type:
    “I want my application to be reviewed by the State Education Department.”

14. Then, click “Next”

15. You will then be asked to answer questions regarding Child Support Obligation and Moral Character Determination

16. At the bottom of that page, click “Sign Affidavit”

17. The next page will be Step 3 – Confirm and Sign Application

18. After looking at the info click “Sign Application”

19. Scroll through the next page and at the bottom click “Next”

20. You should click the checkbox confirming the certification you are applying for

21. Hit “Submit” and you are good to go! Payment can be made via Visa or Mastercard only.

Once you have applied for Certification, you can check the status of your application at this link. There are clear instructions there for the various outcomes.