Certification
The Erie 1 BOCES Regional Certification Office functions as an extension of the New York State Education Department Office of Teaching, and is authorized to evaluate the credentials of applicants and recommend certification for most New York State certificate titles. Individuals who live or work in one of our 19 component school districts or the City of Buffalo can contact this office with all certification-related inquiries.
We are here to assist you with your certification questions; however, please be sure to know when your current certificate expires and what is required to achieve and maintain the next level of certification. Check out the Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page to learn more.
We can help you go from Initial to Professional Certification and adding certification in other areas.
You may be eligible for an initial reissuance of your expired certification if you do not have enough teaching experience or the master’s degree program met for professional certification.
We can help you obtain your certification through the Erie 1 BOCES Regional Certification Office, if you live or teach in one of Erie 1 BOCES' component school districts or the City of Buffalo.
Search Certification Requirements for the area of certification that you are interested in.
| Testing and Workshops |
Testing:New York State Teacher Certification Examinations
Workshops:Autism Child Abuse Identification Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SAVE) |
Frequently Asked Questions:
| I'm interested in becoming a certified teacher in New York State. How do I get started? |
| Visit the New York State Office of Teaching Initiatives website to learn about the certificates that are available, the requirements for each, and the pathways to certification. Once you have more information, contact us and we'll help you through the process! |
| Can I make an appointment to receive assistance from the Erie 1 BOCES Regional Certification Office? |
| Most assistance can be provided via email or over the telephone. The certification specialists can be reached Monday through Friday 8am-4pm. Find contact information at the bottom of this page. |
| Can I obtain an application for certification from the Erie 1 BOCES Regional Certification Office? |
| No, all applications must be submitted electronically using the New York State TEACH Online Services website. |
| Can my transcripts be reviewed by the Erie 1 BOCES Regional Certification Office? |
| We cannot perform informal evaluations. You must submit your application on the TEACH Online Services website and select the option to have your application reviewed by the Erie 1 BOCES Regional Certification Office. Evaluations are not done by appointment; they are completed in the order in which the application and supporting documentation are received by the Certification Office. Our office charges an additional processing fee of $25.00. We accept cash or money order payable to Erie 1 BOCES, which can be sent to our office at 355 Harlem Road, West Seneca NY 14224. |
| I want to be evaluated by the Erie 1 BOCES Regional Certification Office. What do I need to do? |
| If you live in or work in one of our 19 component school districts or the City of Buffalo, and you are applying for a certificate title that can be assigned to a local BOCES office, you can have your application evaluated by our certification specialists. You must first submit your application for certification on the TEACH Online Services website and select the option to have your application reviewed by the Erie 1 BOCES Regional Certification Office. Our office charges an additional processing fee of $25.00. We accept cash or money order payable to Erie 1 BOCES, which can be sent to our office at 355 Harlem Road, West Seneca NY 14224. |
| If I hold a certificate from another state, am I automatically entitled to a New York State certificate? |
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No, there are two pathways available with unique requirements. For more information: Applicants from Other States (Interstate Reciprocity):Preparation Pathways:OTI:NYSED |
Contact Us:
We are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Phone: (716) 821-7064
Michael Pasierb
Regional Certification Officer
Email Michael Pasierb