New York CTLE Requirements

Complete guide to Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) requirements, language acquisition training, and Danielson Framework alignment for New York educators.

100
CTLE Hours Required
5
Year Registration Cycle
15
ELL/Language Hours
4
Danielson Domains

CTLE Requirements Overview

New York requires educators holding Professional certificates in classroom teaching or educational leadership, as well as Level III Teaching Assistant certificate holders, to complete 100 hours of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) during each five-year registration period.

CTLE must be completed through an NYSED-approved CTLE sponsor. Hours completed before your registration period or during a prior period cannot be carried over.

Must Complete CTLE

  • Professional certificate holders
  • Educational leadership certificates
  • Level III Teaching Assistants

Exempt from CTLE

  • Permanent certificate holders
  • Initial certificate holders (for reissuance)
  • Those not practicing in applicable schools

Language Acquisition Requirement

15% ELL/Language Acquisition Hours

NYSED requires that a minimum of 15% of CTLE hours (15 hours) address language acquisition for English Language Learners (ELLs), including best practices for co-teaching and integration strategies.

Standard Classroom Teachers

15 Hours Minimum

15% of 100 hours = minimum 15 hours in language acquisition addressing ELL needs.

ESOL Certificate Holders

50 Hours Minimum

Holders of Professional English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) certificates or Bilingual Extension Annotations must complete 50% of CTLE in language acquisition.

Language Acquisition Topics May Include:

Co-teaching strategies for ELLs
Sheltered instruction techniques
Cultural responsiveness
Scaffolding academic language
Assessment for ELLs
Home language support

Calculating CTLE Hours

Credit Hour Equivalencies

1
Semester Hour
= 15 CTLE Hours
1
Quarter Hour
= 10 CTLE Hours

Hours Based on Practice Status

Practice Status Required Hours
Full 5-year period in applicable school 100 hours
4 years in applicable school 80 hours
3 years in applicable school 60 hours
2 years in applicable school 40 hours
1 year in applicable school 20 hours

* "Practicing" = employed 90+ days during a school year by a single applicable school

What Are "Applicable Schools"?

  • NYS public school districts
  • BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services)
  • NYS nonpublic schools (as of October 17, 2017)
  • NYC Department of Education (all components = single school)

Danielson Framework for Teaching

New York utilizes the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching (2013) as the rubric for teacher development, observation, and evaluation. The framework contains 22 components across four domains, providing a common language for instructional excellence.

1 Planning & Preparation

  • 1a. Knowledge of Content & Pedagogy
  • 1b. Knowledge of Students
  • 1c. Setting Instructional Outcomes
  • 1d. Knowledge of Resources
  • 1e. Designing Coherent Instruction
  • 1f. Designing Student Assessments

2 The Classroom Environment

  • 2a. Environment of Respect & Rapport
  • 2b. Culture for Learning
  • 2c. Managing Classroom Procedures
  • 2d. Managing Student Behavior
  • 2e. Organizing Physical Space

3 Instruction

  • 3a. Communicating with Students
  • 3b. Using Questioning & Discussion
  • 3c. Engaging Students in Learning
  • 3d. Using Assessment in Instruction
  • 3e. Demonstrating Flexibility

4 Professional Responsibilities

  • 4a. Reflecting on Teaching
  • 4b. Maintaining Accurate Records
  • 4c. Communicating with Families
  • 4d. Participating in PLCs
  • 4e. Growing Professionally
  • 4f. Showing Professionalism

Tip: Align your CTLE activities with Danielson components to strengthen your practice and prepare for observations. Many NYC DOE courses are specifically mapped to framework domains.

Acceptable CTLE Activities

CTLE must be completed through an NYSED-approved sponsor. Hours accrue based on clock hours spent in the activity.

College Courses

  • Credit-bearing university courses
  • Graduate-level seminars
  • Online accredited programs

Professional Learning

  • District-sponsored workshops
  • NYSED-approved providers
  • Professional conferences

NYC DOE Options (ASPDP)

  • In-service courses for A+ credit
  • P credit toward salary differential
  • Danielson-aligned coursework

Other Approved Activities

  • Mentoring programs
  • Peer observation/coaching
  • Curriculum development projects

Registration & Renewal Process

1

Track Your CTLE Hours

Maintain records of all CTLE activities throughout your 5-year registration period. Ensure at least 15% (15 hours) are in language acquisition.

2

Complete Required Hours

Finish all 100 CTLE hours (or prorated amount based on years practicing) before your registration period ends.

3

Apply for Registration

Submit your registration application through TEACH Online at the NYSED website before your current registration expires.

4

Attestation

Attest that you have completed the required CTLE hours. You may be audited, so keep documentation readily available.

Important: No Carryover

CTLE hours cannot be carried over from one registration period to another. Hours completed before your registration begins or during a prior period do not count toward your current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Permanent and Professional certificates?

Permanent certificates were issued before February 2004 and do not require CTLE for registration renewal (though registration is still required every 5 years). Professional certificates issued after this date require 100 CTLE hours per cycle.

Do I need to complete CTLE if I have an Initial certificate?

No. As of April 2022, NYSED removed the 50-hour CTLE requirement for reissuance of Initial certificates. Initial certificate holders working toward a Professional certificate do not need to complete CTLE until they receive their Professional certificate.

Can out-of-state PD count toward CTLE?

CTLE must be completed through NYSED-approved sponsors. If you complete PD out of state, check if the provider is an approved CTLE sponsor in New York. Otherwise, those hours may not count.

What if I don't practice in an applicable school for part of my registration period?

Your required hours are prorated to 20 hours per year of practice. If you practice for only 3 years during your 5-year period, you need 60 hours total. The year is not prorated—even partial years count as a full year for calculation.

How do I find NYSED-approved CTLE sponsors?

NYSED maintains a searchable database of approved CTLE sponsors. Your district, BOCES, and many professional organizations are typically approved. Always verify approval status before completing activities.

New York Quick Summary

  • 100 CTLE hours per 5-year cycle
  • 15 hours in language acquisition (ELL)
  • 20 hours/year if not practicing full cycle
  • Framework: Danielson (2013)
  • No carryover between periods
  • Permanent certificates: exempt

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