Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision

Private Teacher Application Instructions

  1. Read Section 126.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education before completing the enclosed application.

    Pursuant to Education Law and the Commissioner's Regulations, the applicant must possess the following qualifications:

    1. A high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma. (Submit a photocopy of the diploma.) If applicant has a degree from a regionally accredited institution, please submit photocopies of the transcript.
    2. At least two years of practical experience in the subject area or occupation to be taught. Teaching experience will not be accepted in lieu of practical experience.
    3. If a federal or state license is required for the performance of any occupation other than teaching, you must hold such a license. For example, all applicants to teach cosmetology, nail specialty, barbering & esthetics must hold a valid license to practice those specific areas in New York State. All applicants to teach nurse aide/nurse assisting must hold a valid Registered Nurse (RN) license or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), if the instructor will be teaching classroom theory portion of curriculum only.
  2. Complete sections 1 through 14 of the enclosed application. The application will not be approved if any section is incomplete.

  3. Obtain the signature of the director/owner/president and submit the application which contains the original signature.
  4. Enclose supporting documentation such as:
    1. Photocopy of college transcript or high school diploma.

    2. Photocopy of licensed private or business school teacher permit or license.

    3. Original letters from current or former employers verifying two years of employment in the field to be taught. The letter must be on the employer's stationery and clearly state the dates employed and duties performed. If the statement cannot be provided on letterhead, it must include the former employer's address and phone number for verification by the bureau and signatures must be notarized. As an alternative, individuals can use the "Verification of Work Experience for Personnel Licensure (BT-2)" form found by way of the Forms for Download page.
  5. Special Instructions for Self-Employed
    1. When an applicant was self-employed, a sworn affidavit to that effect must be submitted and properly attested to by two witnesses. (Note: A witness is an individual who knew the applicant during the time of self-employment. [e.g. a customer or employee.]) The witnesses must provide their signature, name, address and telephone number, and a statement regarding how they were affiliated with the applicant. The affidavit should also include the address of the applicant's place of business, the nature of his/her employment, whether or not employed full time, and the dates employed. The bureau may verify that the information submitted by the witness is accurate.

    2. Where employment was in a foreign country and evidence of such is not available, a sworn affidavit should be submitted and properly attested to by two witnesses. (Note: A witness is an individual who knew the applicant during the time of self-employment [e.g. a customer or employee.]) The witnesses must provide their signature, name, address and telephone number, and a statement regarding how they were affiliated with the applicant. The affidavit should describe, in detail, the nature of the employment and give the names and addresses of employers. The bureau may verify that the information submitted by the witness is accurate.

      Likewise, where education was obtained in a foreign country, or obtained in this country and records are not available, an affidavit similar to the above must be submitted, giving the name and address of school or schools attended, whether full-time, part-time, courses completed, and length of courses. The affidavit should be accompanied, if possible, by a letter or letters from school authorities stating that the records are not available. The affidavit should be attested by two witnesses.

    3. Where applicant's experience is gained from freelance work, adequate evidence must be submitted that the freelance work is equated to two years of full-time experience. Please follow the instructions for self employed if verification from employers cannot be obtained.
    4. If a federal or state license is required for the performance of your occupation, a photocopy of a current, valid license must be submitted.
    5. Explanation of any "yes" response to Section #13, and copies of court records including disposition of case. If conviction was for a felony, a copy of a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities is required.
  6. Enclose a $50 check or money order made payable to the State Education Department. The application and fee must be mailed to:

    New York State Education Department
    Bureau of Fiscal Management
    P.O. Box 7346
    Albany, NY 12224

    All fees submitted to the department-are non-refundable and non-transferable.

    The Bureau will act upon application requests within thirty (30) days of receipt of a timely and complete application.

    Mail all supporting documents, that are not attached to the application, directly to:

    New York State Education Department
    Bureau of Proprietary School Supervision
    Room 962 EBA
    Albany, NY  12234

  7. Education Law allows a school to employ a teacher before the teacher has been issued a permit/license provided that the school does the following:

    1. File a complete application on behalf on the teacher postmarked at least four (4) days prior to the first day of the teacher’s employment. All items on the application must be completed including section 15 listing the first day of the teacher's employment and verifying, by signature, that the appropriate school official is certain that the teacher will meet the licensure requirements; and

    2. File all supporting official transcripts, letters verifying experience, etc. required for the teaching permit/license within twenty (20) days of the filing of the application.
  8. Subsequent applications must be submitted thirty (30) days in advance of the expiration of the previous permit or license. If applications are not submitted on time, licenses will not be backdated to conform with the starting date of employment.
  9. It is the responsibility of the director/owner/president to ascertain that all information and material submitted is accurate and complete, and is submitted in a timely fashion. The application, $50 check or money order and evidence of work experience and education must be submitted.
  10. Private trade school teacher licenses are valid only for the school and location for which they are issued. If you move to another school, you must reapply for a new license.
Last Updated: July 8, 2009