TERMS 52.21, Part 80 Certification Examination Requirements
AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Pursuant to sections 101, 207, 208, 305, 308, 3001, 3004, and 3009 of the Education Law.
1. Subitem (B) of item (ii) of subclause (2) of clause (h) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(B) Exception. Institutions that meet the standard for student performance on the [New York State teacher certification examination] certification examinations set forth in clause (iv)(b) of this paragraph and are accredited in accordance with clause (iv)(c) of this paragraph shall not be required to meet the staffing requirements prescribed in item (i) of this subclause.
2. Clause (b) of subparagraph (iv) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(b) Candidate performance on [New York State teacher] certification examinations as defined in section 80-1.1 of this Title.
(1) For the 2016-2017 academic year, in the event that fewer than 80 percent of students, who have satisfactorily completed an institution's program during a given academic year and have also completed one or more of the examinations required for a teaching certificate, pass each such examination they have completed, such program shall submit to the department a professional development plan that describes how the program plans to improve the readiness of faculty and the pass rate for candidates on the examinations required for a teaching certificate. Further, for the 2015-2016 academic year, the department shall conduct a registration review in the event that fewer than 70 percent of students, who have satisfactorily completed the institution's program during a given academic year and have also completed one or more of the examinations required for a teaching certificate, pass each such examination that they have completed. For the 2017-2018 academic year and thereafter, the department shall conduct a registration review in the event that fewer than 80 percent of students, who have satisfactorily completed the institution's program during a given academic year and have also completed one or more of the examinations required for a teaching certificate, pass each such examination that they have completed. For purposes of this clause, students who have satisfactorily completed the institution's program shall mean students who have met each educational requirement of the program[ , excluding any institutional requirement that the student pass each required examination of the New York State teacher certification examinations for a teaching certificate in order to complete the program]. Students satisfactorily meeting each educational requirement may include students who earn a degree or students who complete each educational requirement without earning a degree. For determining this percentage, the department shall consider the performance on each certification examination of those students completing an examination not more than five years before the end of the academic year in which the program is completed or not later than the September 30th following the end of such academic year, academic year defined as July 1st through June 30th, and shall consider only the highest score of individuals taking a test more than once.
(2) …
(3) …
(i) …
(A) For purposes of this subclause, students who have satisfactorily completed the graduate program shall mean students who have met each educational requirement of the program, without regard to whether such students have been awarded a degree[, and excluding any requirement that the student pass each required certification examination for such student's first initial certificate, or each required certification examination for such student's school building leader certificate in order to complete the program].
(B) …
3. Subparagraph (vii) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is REPEALED.
4. Subparagraph (vii) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is REPEALED.
5. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of section 52.21 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Candidate performance on [New York State teacher] certification examinations as defined in section 80-1.1 of this Title.
(a) The department shall conduct a registration review in the event that fewer than 80 percent of the students who have satisfactorily completed the institution's program preparing school building leaders during a given academic year and have also completed the examination required for a school building leadership certificate pass such examination. For purposes of this clause, students who have satisfactorily completed the institution's program shall mean students who have met each educational requirement of the program[, excluding any institutional requirements that the students pass the required examination for a school building leader certificate in order to complete the program]. Students satisfactorily meeting each educational requirement may include students who earn a degree or students who complete each educational requirement without earning a degree. For determining this percentage, the department shall consider the performance on each certification examination of those students completing an examination not more than five years before the end of the academic year in which the program is completed or not later than the September 30th following the end of such academic year, academic year defined as July 1st through June 30th, and shall consider only the highest score of individuals taking a test more than once.
(b) …
(c) …
6. Paragraph (10) of subdivision (b) of section 80-1.1 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is renumbered as paragraph (12), paragraph (11) of such subdivision is renumbered as paragraph (13), paragraphs (13) through (48) of such subdivision are renumbered as paragraphs (15) through (50), paragraph (12) of such subdivision is amended, and new paragraphs (10) and (14) are added to such subdivision to read as follows:
(10) Certification examination means an examination that is one of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations or another examination, as determined by the Department, that is developed for the purpose of educator certification. Such examination must be aligned with State learning standards or professional education organization standards, as appropriate, and developed in accordance with national industry and professional standards for educational testing.
[(12)](11) Classroom teaching service means teaching service in the public schools of New York State, which requires certification pursuant to this Part, excluding pupil personnel service or [administrative and supervisory service] educational leadership service.
(14) Content knowledge certification examination is a certification examination that assesses candidates’ knowledge of the area of the certificate for certificates in the classroom teaching service, educational leadership service, or title school counselor, or for applicable extensions pursuant to section 80-4.3 of this Part.
7. Subparagraph (v) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 80-1.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(a) All candidates for a certificate in the classroom teaching service shall submit evidence of having achieved satisfactory levels of performance on the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) educating all students test and, when available, the content knowledge certification examination(s) in the area of the certificate, except as otherwise provided in this Part.
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Part, candidates seeking a certificate in the title of students with disabilities (all grades) shall be required to achieve a satisfactory level of performance in the NYSTCE multi-subject, multi-subject: teachers of childhood (grade 1 - grade 6), multi-subject: teachers of middle childhood (grade 5 - grade 9), or multi-subject: secondary teachers (grade 7 - grade 12) content specialty tests until a multi-subject content specialty test for such certificate title is operational, or other content knowledge certification examination in students with disabilities.
(b) Except as otherwise prescribed in this subdivision, notwithstanding any applicable provisions of Subparts 80-1, 80-3, 80-4 and 80-5 of this Part or any other provision of rule or regulation to the contrary, a candidate who applies for and meets all the requirements for a certificate, except that such candidate does not achieve a satisfactory level of performance on one or more of the NYSTCE examination(s), [as prescribed by the commissioner, that is/are required for the certificate title sought,] may instead use one or more of the following safety net options, in lieu of [taking,] retaking one or more of such certification examinations:
(1) …
(c) Candidates may apply for a waiver of the content knowledge certification examination requirement for a certificate in the classroom teaching service, educational leadership service, or title school counselor, or for an applicable extension pursuant to section 80-4.3 of this Part, provided that they receive a score within a 0.5 standard error of measurement of the passing score on a content knowledge certification examination required for the certificate or extension sought and complete one of the following waiver options:
(2) Achieve at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average or its equivalent in the program leading to a baccalaureate, or a graduate degree culminating in at least 30 semester hours, at an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education or a higher education institution that the Commissioner deems substantially equivalent.
8. Paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(2) Examination. The candidate shall meet the examination requirement by meeting the requirements in one of the following subparagraphs:
(i) Except as otherwise provided in this section, candidates shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State Teacher Certification Examination educating all students test and the [content specialty test(s)] content knowledge certification examination(s) in the area of the certificate, when available, provided that a candidate seeking an initial certificate in the titles of indigenous culture and language studies (all grades) and speech and language disabilities (all grades), or a candidate seeking an initial certificate through individual evaluation under section 80-3.7(a)(3)(xiii) of this subpart, shall not be required to achieve a satisfactory level of performance on [the content specialty test] a content knowledge certification examination.
(ii) Examination requirement for an additional certificate. A candidate who has one or more [provisional certificates,] permanent certificates, initial certificates, or professional certificates in a title in the classroom teaching service other than a title in a specific career and technical subject (grades 7 through 12), may meet the examination requirements for an initial certificate, by having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the [New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test(s)] content knowledge certification examination(s) in the area of the certificate for which application is made, if required for that initial certificate pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.
9. Subparagraph (iv) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of section 80-3.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(iv) Examination. The candidate shall pass the New York State Teacher Certification Examination educating all students test and [the content specialty test] a content knowledge examination when available in the computer science area.
10. Paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.4 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(3) Examination. Candidates who seek a professional certificate in Speech and Language Disabilities (all grades) shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test] a content knowledge certification examination in the area of the certificate.
11. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test(s)] a content knowledge certification examination in the area of the certificate, when available.
12. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test(s)] a content knowledge certification examination in the area of the certificate, when available, and a [test] certification examination of communication and quantitative skills.
13. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test(s)] a content knowledge certification examination in the area of the certificate, when available.
14. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test(s)] a content knowledge certification examination in the area of the certificate, when available.
15. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test(s)] a content knowledge certification examination in the area of the certificate, when available.
16. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test(s)] a content knowledge certification examination in the area of the certificate, when available.
17. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test(s)] a content knowledge certification examination in the area of the certificate, when available.
18. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test(s)] a content knowledge certification examination in the area of the certificate, when available.
19. Clause (b) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of section 80-3.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(b) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State assessment] a content knowledge certification examination for school building leadership. In addition, for candidates applying for certification on or after May 1, 2014 or candidates who apply for certification on or before April 30, 2014 but do not meet all the requirements for an initial certificate on or before April 30, 2014, the candidate shall also achieve a satisfactory level of performance on the educating all students test.
20. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of section 80-3.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) …
(a) …
(1) …
(2) either:
(i) have successfully completed a New York State program leading to a professional certificate as a school district leader in the educational leadership service registered pursuant to section 52.21(c)(3) of this Title, or its equivalent as determined by the department. As part of the program completion requirements, the candidate shall have successfully completed at least 60 semester hours of graduate study, which may include graduate study completed prior to admission to the program[, and achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State assessment for school district leadership. The requirement of achieving a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State assessment for school district leadership shall be waived if the candidate completes the registered program prior to the availability of such New York State assessment. The department shall determine the date on which such assessment is available and required]; or
(ii) have successfully completed an educational leadership program outside of New York State that is equivalent to a program leading to a professional certificate as a school district leader in the educational leadership service registered pursuant to section 52.21(c)(3) of this Title or an educational leadership program at an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education outside of New York State, provided that such program leads to a professional certificate as a school district leader, or a similar certificate title and type, in the jurisdiction in which the higher education institution is located[, including a requirement to pass an assessment equivalent to the New York State assessment for school district leadership, or alternatively the candidate shall satisfy this component of the educational leadership program by passing the New York State assessment for school district leadership. The requirement of achieving a satisfactory level of performance on an assessment equivalent to the New York State assessment for school district leadership or alternatively passing such New York State assessment shall be waived if the candidate completes the program prior to the availability of such New York State assessment. The department shall determine the date on which such assessment is available]. The candidate shall have successfully completed at least 60 semester hours of graduate study, which may include graduate study completed outside of the educational leadership program.
(A) …
(B) for candidates who apply for a certificate under this subdivision on or after September 1, 2019 or candidates who apply for a certificate on or before September 1, 2019 but do not meet all the requirements for a certificate on before September 1, 2019, have successfully completed an educational leadership program outside of New York State that is equivalent to a program leading to a professional certificate as a school district leader in the educational leadership service registered pursuant to section 52.21(c)(3) of this Title or an educational leadership program leading to a regular certificate in an equivalent title to school district leader, accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education at a regionally accredited institution outside of New York State, provided that such program leads to a professional certificate, or a similar certificate title and type, in the jurisdiction in which the higher education institution is located[, including a requirement to pass an assessment equivalent to the New York State assessment for school district leadership, or alternatively the candidate shall satisfy this component of the educational leadership program by passing the New York State assessment for school district leadership. The requirement of achieving a satisfactory level of performance on an assessment equivalent to the New York State assessment for school district leadership or alternatively passing such New York State assessment shall be waived if the candidate completes the program prior to the availability of such New York State assessment. The department shall determine the date on which such assessment is available]. The candidate shall have successfully completed at least 60 semester hours of graduate study, which may include graduate study completed outside of the educational leadership program.
(b) …
(c) Examination requirement. [Any] The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on a content knowledge certification examination for school district leadership. In addition, any candidate applying for a professional certificate as a school district leader on or after May 1, 2015, shall also achieve a satisfactory level of performance on the educating all students test.
21. Paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-3.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(2)…
(i) …
(ii) either:
(a) have successfully completed a New York State program leading to a professional certificate as a school district business leader in the educational leadership service registered pursuant to section 52.21(c)(5) of this Title, or its equivalent as determined by the department. As part of the program completion requirements, the candidate shall have successfully completed at least 60 semester hours of graduate study, which may include graduate study completed prior to admission to the program[, and achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State assessment for school district business leadership. The requirement of achieving a satisfactory level of performance on the New York State assessment for school district business leadership shall be waived if the candidate completes the registered program prior to the availability of such New York State assessment. The department shall determine the date on which such assessment is available and required]; or
(b) have successfully completed an educational leadership program outside of New York State that is equivalent with a program leading to a professional certificate as a school district business leader in the educational leadership service registered pursuant to section 52.21(c)(5) of this Title or an educational leadership program at an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education outside of New York State, provided that such program leads to a professional certificate as a school district business leader, or a similar certificate title and type, in the jurisdiction in which the higher education institution is located[, including a requirement to pass an assessment equivalent to the New York State assessment for school district business leadership, or alternatively the candidate shall satisfy this component of the educational leadership program by passing the New York State assessment for school district business leadership. The requirement of achieving a satisfactory level of performance on an assessment equivalent to the New York State assessment for school district business leadership or alternatively passing such New York State assessment shall be waived if the candidate completes the program prior to the availability of such New York State assessment. The department shall determine the date on which such assessment is available]. The candidate shall have successfully completed at least 60 semester hours of graduate study, which may include graduate study completed outside of the educational leadership program.
(iii) The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on a content knowledge certification examination for school district business leadership.
22. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of section 80-3.11 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. Candidates applying for certification on or after February 2, 2023 shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State] a content knowledge certification examination for school counselors[ or other equivalent examination as approved by the Commissioner, if available].
23. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination bilingual extension assessment] a content knowledge certification examination in bilingual education.
24. Paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(3) The candidate shall complete [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test] a content knowledge certification examination in the subject for which a certificate extension is being sought.
25. Subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(iii) The candidate shall complete [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test] a content knowledge certification examination in gifted education.
26. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test] a content knowledge certification examination in American sign language.
27. Paragraph (4) of subdivision (j) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(4) Requirements for 7-8 grade level extension in a subject. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, an extension to teach a subject in grades 7-8 shall be issued to a candidate in a specific subject area for grades 7 and 8 provided that the candidate successfully completes [the New York State Teacher Certification Examination content specialty test] a content knowledge certification examination in the subject for which a certificate extension is being sought and six semester hours of coursework in middle childhood education.
28. Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (m) of section 80-4.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) the candidate shall complete [the New York State teacher certification examination content specialty test] a content knowledge certification examination in the subject for which a certificate extension is being sought or the candidate shall satisfactorily complete at least 12 semester hours of study or its equivalent in the subject area of the certificate sought. For social studies, the candidate shall complete the 12 semester hours through a combination of study in United States history, world history, and geography.
29. Item (ii) of subclause (1) of clause (a) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-5.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State assessment] a certification examination of teaching assistant skills.
30. Item (ii) of subclause (1) of clause (b) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-5.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State assessment] a certification examination of teaching assistant skills.
31. Item (ii) of subclause (1) of clause (c) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-5.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State assessment] a certification examination of teaching assistant skills.
32. Item (ii) of subclause (1) of clause (d) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of section 80-5.6 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(ii) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State assessment] a certification examination of teaching assistant skills.
33. Clause (a) of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of section 80-5.13 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(a) A candidate who applies for a Transitional B certificate on or after May 1, 2014 or a candidate who applies for a Transitional B certificate on or before April 30, 2014 but does not meet all the requirements for a Transitional B certificate on April 30, 2014 shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the [New York State teacher certification examination the] educating all students test and the [content specialty test(s)] content knowledge certification examination(s) in the area of the certificate, where such [content specialty test is] content knowledge certification examination(s) is/are required for the certificate title. Successful completion of the [content specialty test] content knowledge certification examination in the area of the certificate shall not be required for the Transitional B certificate authorizing the teaching of English to speakers of other languages, students with disabilities, students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, students who are blind or visually impaired, or students with speech and language disabilities, or for an extension of a Transitional B certificate in bilingual education. Instead, the candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on a [New York State teacher certification examination content specialty test] content knowledge certification examination prescribed by the Commissioner or a teaching certificate in the classroom teaching service.
34. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of section 80-5.14 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(i) Candidates who apply for a Transitional C certificate on or after May 1, 2014 or who apply for a Transitional C certificate on or before April 30, 2014 but do not meet all the requirements for an initial certificate on or before April 30, 2014, shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the educating all students test and the [content specialty test] content knowledge certification examination(s) in the area of the certificate.
35. Subparagraph (v) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of section 80-5.15 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(v) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on [the New York State assessment] a content knowledge certification examination for school district leadership, provided that such assessment is available at the time the candidate applies and upon application qualifies for the transitional D certificate. The department shall determine the date on which such assessment is available and required].
36. Paragraph (6) of subdivision (c) of section 80-5.18 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(6) Examination. The candidate shall submit evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the [Content Specialty Test] content knowledge certification examination(s) in the area of the certificate title sought, [if] when available.
37. Subdivision (b) of section 80-5.28 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended to read as follows:
(b) Limitations. The Transitional J certificate in a specific certificate title shall be valid for one year from its effective date and a candidate cannot receive a time extension pursuant to section 80-1.6 of this Part. The Transitional J certificate may be renewed once for an additional two years, provided that the candidate has submitted evidence of having achieved a satisfactory level of performance on the educating all students test and the [content specialty test(s) required for the certificate title] content knowledge certification examination(s) in the area of the certificate, prior to the expiration date of the first issuance of the Transitional J certificate. The Transitional J certificate shall authorize a candidate to teach only in a school district or BOCES for which a commitment of support and employment has been made.