Certification Cost and Budgeting l New York

Carol Kumm

Apr 05, 2026

What You'll Pay for Certification

Preparing for certification costs is an important part of budgeting for your teaching program. Planning ahead can help you manage these expenses smoothly.

To start, consider setting aside funds for the maximum potential certification cost. If that isn't possible, save as much as you can to cover these expenses as they arise throughout your program.

Below, you'll find a breakdown of the certification costs specific to New York.

Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Amount	Who Pays This	Notes
Content Specialty Test(s) (CSTs)	$122-179 per attempt	All certification-seeking students	As you progress through your application, we will be in touch with more details. In some cases, a Praxis exam may be substituted for this.
Educating All Students (EAS)	$80 per attempt	All certification-seeking students	As you progress through your application, we will be in touch with more details. In some cases, a Praxis exam may be substituted for this.
Background Check/Fingerprinting	$100+	Varies by school and district. Check with your for details.
Transitional B Certification Application	$50	All certification-seeking students
Additional Endorsement	$100 per additional endorsement	All candidates seeking more than one endorsement area
Required workshops (School Violence Prevention and Intervention (SVP), Dignity for All Students (DASA), etc.)	$~75 per workship	[e.g., Lead Teacher Pathway only]	As you progress through your application, we will be in touch with more details.

Receiving Assistance to Cover Costs

You may have options to help offset these expenses:

Waivers ETS, the company that administers the Praxis exam, provides fee waivers for some college students who meet eligibility criteria. Check with ETS directly to see if you qualify.

Vouchers Some states provide vouchers for specific required tests and distribute them through Relay. These are often offered on a first-come, first-served basis—so respond quickly if one is offered to you.

Financial Aid If you qualify, certification costs may be added to your financial aid package. Submitting your FAFSA early can help secure this assistance.

Being proactive about certification expenses can help ensure a financially manageable program experience.

Questions?

Reach out to us at [email protected].