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Examination Requirements for Initial Certification

The New York State Teacher Certification Examination (NYSTCE) program for initial certification consists of three separate examinations:

  • The Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST). Candidates taking the LAST must demonstrate satisfactory conceptual and analytical abilities, critical thinking and communication skills, and multicultural awareness. The four-hour written test (multiple-choice and essay) covers historical and social scientific consciousness, scientific and mathematical processes, artistic expression, and the humanities.
  • The Content Specialty Test (CST). There are 38 Content Specialty Tests, consisting of multiple-choice test questions and a written assignment focused on the academic content of the certification being sought. The CSTs for Languages Other Than English (LOTE) and Music include taped listening and/or speaking components and a writing component. A graphing calculator is required for the Mathematics test. Candidates must take and pass the CST in their content area in order to obtain certification.
  • The Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W). There are two versions of the ATS-W The Elementary ATS-W measures professional and pedagogical knowledge at the Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2) and Childhood (Grades 1-6) levels. The Secondary ATS-W measures professional and pedagogical knowledge at the Middle Childhood (Grades 5-9) and Adolescence (Grades 7-12) levels. The test consists of multiple-choice questions and a written assignment that address child or adolescent development and learning, instruction and assessment, and the professional teaching and learning environment.

Note: Some teaching certificates may require more than the above three examinations. Candidates who already hold a Provisional Certificate issued by New York State prior to February 2, 2004 will be required to complete the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Performance Video (ATS-P) in order to earn a Permanent Certificate.

NOTE: ALL INITIAL CERTIFICATES REQUIRE COMPLETION OF TWO, TWO-HOUR WORKSHOPS ON SCHOOL VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND CHILD ABUSE IDENTIFICATION. However, some certificate holders may be required to complete other mandated workshops. For example, special education and speech certificate holders are required to complete Autism workshops. To learn more about these workshops, visit www.childabuse.com. Preparation workshops are offered at Lehman College through the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Check in the School of Education's Office for the dates and times of these sessions.

Last modified: 2/22/2013