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Pathways and Options

The pathways for a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Transitional A certificate are labeled Options A through J. These options are sets of that vary by 1) education or credential and 2) work experience or credential in a CTE field. The following table compares the certification requirements for each option.

The options differ in the ways in which a certificate applicant can meet the requirements for specific CTE certificate titles. Individuals would select the option that best matches their educational background and experience.

Applicants will see these same options in the list of pathways for the Initial and Professional certificates, but with additional certification requirements. There are also other , such as the approved teacher preparation program pathways and the National Board Certification pathway for the Initial certificate and the Certificate Progression pathways for the Professional certificate.

Certificate Types

Individuals can choose the Transitional A or the Initial certificate type when they first apply for a Career and Technical Education (CTE) certificate in a specific subject area. The Transitional A certificate is valid for three years and allows individuals who need time to complete Ìýfor the Initial certificate to work in a classroom as a certified teacher. To be eligible for the Transitional A certificate, individuals must have a commitment from a 51³Ô¹ÏÍø State school, school district, or BOCES to employ and mentor them while they complete the Initial certificate requirements.

The Initial certificate is valid for five years, during which time individuals work on completing the requirements for the Professional certificate. The Professional certificate requirements include completing additional specific education coursework, three years of full-time teaching experience or its equivalent, and passing the Ìý.

The following table compares the Transitional A, Initial, and Professional certificate features, including the requirements and validity period of the certificates. The baseline certificate requirements for each pathway/option are the same across all certificate types (e.g., Option A requires an associate’s degree or higher within the Transitional A, Initial, and Professional certificate types).

Certificate Titles

The following CTE certificate titles are categorized by the national .

The certificate requirements for each title are available at and the occupational work experience descriptions for each title are available on the Career and Technical Education Experience Requirements webpage.