New York Educators: Here’s What You Need to Stay Certified

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If you're a certified teacher in the state of New York, you’re already making a meaningful impact, but did you know that to maintain your teaching certificate, you must complete a minimum of 100 professional learning hours, called Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE), every 5 years?

That’s right! These hours are more than just a requirement. They’re an opportunity to grow, reflect, and stay on top of the ever-evolving world of education. You can find the current, official requirements on the NYC DOE InfoHub.

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A Snapshot of K12 Education in New York

Let’s take a quick look at New York’s K12 educational landscape:

• Over 215,000 teachers in public schools

• Nearly 4,400 public schools, including 369 charter schools

• New York’s educators are serving approximately 2.25 million students in public and charter schools

• Almost 730 public school districts, including traditional public school districts and special-purpose school districts

• Approximately 1,630 private and parochial schools

• Approximately 45,000 teachers in private and parochial schools

• Over 420,000 students in private and parochial schools

With so many educators and students across the state, it’s more important than ever to ensure your professional learning is relevant, flexible, and impactful.  

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Which learning categories count toward CTLE Hours in New York?

As a New York educator, every CTLE hour you earn should count toward what matters most in your classroom. To help support your professional growth, the NYSED has identified 10 key areas of focus. Your CTLE-approved professional development must align with one or more of the following professional learning categories:

• Content Knowledge & Quality Training

• Designing Professional Development

• Research-Based Learning

• Collaboration with Colleagues

• Supporting Diverse Learners

• Student Learning Environments

• Parent, Family & Community Engagement

• Data-Driven Practice

• Technology Integration

• Evaluation & Professional Reflection

You can view the full list and official language in the NYSED’s CTLE Standards PDF.

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How New York’s School Leaders are Shaping Professional Learning

Across New York, professional learning is being strategically designed by district and school leaders to support real change in the classroom.

According to the NYC DOE InfoHub, professional development leaders are prioritizing initiatives such as:

• Instructional teams are using NYC’s School Quality Rubric and CRSE Framework to guide reflection and alignment.

• CRSE Lab Classrooms are offering collaborative, teacher-led learning cycles.

• Implicit Bias Awareness workshop are helping educators reflect on their perceptions and create more inclusive learning environments.

• Family engagement trainings and wellness-based Professional Learning workshops are empowering educators to connect with communities and prioritize student well-being.

These efforts show a statewide commitment not only to meeting requirements, but to building stronger, more supportive school communities.  

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Professional Learning Made Simple for New York Educators

SimpleK12 is an approved CTLE provider in New York, proudly serving educators across the state for over 40 years (listed on page 63 of the sponsor list under our founding name, InfoSource). What hasn’t changed is our mission: to deliver professional learning that’s practical, educator-led, and classroom-tested.

With over 1,000 flexible, online courses, across more than 40 topics aligned with New York’s CTLE core areas, SimpleK12 is your go-to-solution for professional learning.

Think of it as a fresh, modern space for educators to learn, grow, and earn hours on their own schedule.

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A Special Offer to celebrate New York Educators  

Use code NY50 to get 50% off your first 6 months at SimpleK12, and start with 30 days free.

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Stay inspired with SimpleK12. It’s professional learning reimagined. Modern, flexible, and designed to make a real impact in classrooms.

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Additional Resources

Here’s where you can learn more and access official guidance:

CTLE Hour Requirement: NYC DOE InfoHub – CTLE

CTLE Core Areas: NYSED CTLE Standards PDF

Approved CTLE Sponsors: NYSED Sponsor List (SimpleK12 listed under our founding name InfoSource on page 63)

Education Stats: NYSED Data Site

Specialized & Private Schools: NYSED Special Education – Approved Private and State-Operated Schools

NYC High School Types: NYC DOE – Types of High Schools

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