NYS Computer Science Certification Resources

Currently, there are several pathways available to become a K-12 computer science certified teacher in New York State, with two more pathways planned for the future. 

1. NEW teachers should attend an undergraduate or graduate teacher preparation program. 

2. Existing NY teachers should attend an advanced certificate program. If they are attending a program after September 2023, they should apply for the SOCE to remain eligible to teach CS for an additional 10 years to receive their certification. Read more in the certification resources above. Stay tuned for more information about additional pathways in the future. 

Check the NYSED SOCE website for the list of eligible codes for CS courses.  Upon application, any person holding a valid certificate in the classroom teaching service and  employed within the six years immediately preceding September 1, 2023, as a teacher of  computer science courses in a New York State public school or board of cooperative educational  services or any other school where teacher certification is required, may be issued a statement of  continued eligibility so that such person may continue to teach computer science courses in the  employing school district, school or board of cooperative educational services.  

The statement of continued eligibility shall be valid for 10 years from the date the statement of continued eligibility is issued, and the candidate shall not be required to hold a computer science certificate as prescribed in section 80-3.2 of this Subpart, provided such person holds a permanent or professional certificate in another certification area in the classroom teaching service.  

Not yet -- but hopefully soon!  NYSED says that the Statement of Continued Eligibility (SOCE) will be available on TEACH in 2022. Check back on the NYSED SOCE website and consider joining the NYSED content notification email list and the CSForNY email list to be notified as soon as it is available.

 From NYSED: The SOCE will be available closer to the date   that the SOCE will be necessary. You wouldn't want to apply for the SOCE too early. NYSED recommends that you apply as close as possible to when the certification goes into effect, so you have the full 10 years of the SOCE.    

 A statement of continued eligibility shall only be valid for service in the school district, board of cooperative educational services, or other school that employed such individual when the statement of continued eligibility was issued. 

Everyone's situation is a bit different. Read all the information on this page about the certification, the SOCE, and the advanced certificate and graduate programs available for CS education.

Consider your grade level, your eligibility for the SOCE, your intended retirement age, and any other factors that may be important to you.

If you have more questions, reach out to the state using the certification email (below) and/or to the leader of a graduate school program to determine your next steps.

There are many scholarships and partnerships available for CS teacher preparation programs through private, federal, and state funding sources. Read about the partnership between Dryden, Groton, and Hunter College above, talk to your district about funding options, and contact your potential preparation program about funding sources. 

If there is a standalone CS course in elementary school, you will need the certification. Those instances should be rare in elementary schools since most teachers are general education teachers who integrate computer science into their classes, but please let NYSED know if you are affected.  

According to NYSUT: "The computer science certificate does not prevent teachers who hold other certificates from teaching aspects of these Computer Science & Digital Fluency concepts in other subject area courses and in elementary schools."

Elementary teachers can get the K-12 CS certification, and those with the K-12 CS certification may teach elementary CS. Elementary teachers may also be eligible for the SOCE if they have a standalone CS class registered with an approved BEDS code (see the SOCE website). Check with your school administrator about upcoming certification requirements and make the decision that works best for you and your school.

Yes. According to NYSUT: "career and technology education (CTE) teachers will continue to be able to teach computer-related and technology courses in CTE programs."

 Computer science will be considered a “special subject” across all grades. After September 1, 2023, an educator who was previously appointed tenure in a different tenure area may choose to continue to receive credit toward tenure and seniority rights in their previous tenure area while devoting a substantial portion (40% or more) of their time to teaching computer science courses, or they may choose to change their tenure area to receive credit and accrue seniority rights in the special subject tenure area of computer science.  

For educators assigned/appointed on or after September 1, 2023, who are devoting a substantial portion (40% or more) of their time teaching computer science, probationary appointments and appointments in tenure will be made in accordance with normal tenure rules. Specifically, these teachers must be appointed tenure in the special subject tenure area: computer science.   

The incidental teaching flexibility is not simple. The district needs to prove that there's a hardship and they've exhausted all resources to find a CS teacher. Regulation says you can teach up to 5 hours per week. We're currently in an emergency regulation to teach up to 10 hours per week outside of your certification.  Look up the incidental teaching requirements on NYSED's website.