Early in the initial discussion of seeking approved program status, it would be beneficial to review NYSED information and view the brief video on Program Faculty.

Who Is Certified to Teach Courses in a NYSED Approved Program?

  • All career and technical education coursework in the CTE program of study must be taught by faculty with appropriate New York State certification in the program’s career cluster area.
  • The two categories of certifications that teachers may have are classroom certification and CTE certification.
  • To find specific requirements to obtain either a classroom or CTE certification, please use the Office of Teaching Initiatives Certification Lookup Tool
  • Career and Financial Management content is required in all approved program.
    • Career and Financial Management may be taught by any CTE teacher title as well as in the four classroom titles of agriculture, business and marketing, family and consumer sciences, and technology education.
  • If questions exist about the appropriateness of faculty in NYSED-approved CTE programs, please contact the Office of Teaching Initiatives as early as possible in the approval/re-approval process.

NOTE: Please note that neither the staff of the Office of Career and Technical Education nor the staff at the CTE TAC are able to assist with the actual process of teacher certification. This is handled by the Office of Teaching Initiatives. Inquiries regarding individual candidates or requirements to become certified need to be directed to the Office of Teaching Initiatives by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (link sends e-mail) Attention CTE or through your regional certification office.

Additional Certification Requirements

  • Areas Requiring Professional Licensure
    • Faculty teaching CTE coursework in health sciences, appearance enhancement, barbering, drone technology, and aeronautics must maintain licensure in the area in which they are teaching in addition to their NYS teaching certificate.
    • This is required legally to operate these programs.
  • Health Sciences: Operational Program Approval
    • Faculty seeking to teach CTE coursework in health sciences programs, for which operational approval is required in accordance with federal laws and New York State regulations, must demonstrate additional specific prior work experience:
    • e.g., a CTE teacher certified in Practical Nursing 7-12 must have the required two-years work experience in long-term care (LTC) in order to be operationally approved to deliver instruction for a nurse aide training program.
  • For questions about operational program requirements for Health Sciences, please visit the Health Sciences Education webpage or contact the Office of Career and Technical Education Health Sciences Associate as early as possible in the approval/re-approval process.
  • Appearance Enhancement and Barbering: Operational Program Approval
    • Operational approval for any appearance enhancement or barbering program must be sought before CTE program approval can be sought.
    • For questions about operational program requirements for Appearance Enhancement or Barbering, please visit the NYSED Appearance Enhancement and Barbering webpage or contact the Office of Career and Technical Education Appearance Enhancement and Barbering Associate as early as possible in the approval/re-approval process.
  • Work-Based Learning
    • If CEIP or CO-OP is part of the program content, a CTE teacher with the extension of Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Development must oversee that portion of the program.
    • If GEWEP or WECEP is part of the program content, a teacher or school counselor who holds the extension of Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Development OR Coordinator of Work-Based Learning Programs for Career Awareness must oversee that portion of the program.

Tips for Success – Program Faculty

  • A copy of the teacher certification(s) for each teacher who is part of the proposed program must be attached to the application (i.e., copy of certificate/screenshot of TEACH page).
  • A copy of the teacher(s) license in areas requiring professional licensure must be attached to the application.
  • A copy of documentation for Health Sciences Operational Program Approval must be attached to the application, if applicable.
  • CTE teachers who teach NYS registered WBL courses must provide documentation that they hold the appropriate extension.

Resources – Program Faculty