Full-time teachers can receive credit for a maximum of seven and a half years of qualifying professional experience (up to step 8B in the salary schedule).
Qualifying experience for appointed employees may include both prior teaching experience and, for certain license areas, prior non-teaching experience. One term of qualifying teaching experience equals one salary step. Each year of qualifying, related non-teaching experience equals two salary steps. Service as a paraprofessional, teacher's aide, or co-teacher does not qualify for salary credit.
Prior teaching experience performed in NYC Public Schools:
Prior per diem service (e.g., substitute teaching) is creditable only if you worked at least 85 aggregate days. The 85 days do not need to be consecutive and do not need to be at the same location, but they do need to be within the same school year. For every block of 85 days worked, one term of credit will be awarded. Per diem service is only credited in blocks of 85 days.
Prior teaching experience performed outside NYC Public Schools:
Your outside teaching experience must meet the following criteria to be eligible for salary step credit:
- It was paid
- It was full-time
- The appointment was regular (Per diem or per session is not creditable. Substitute teaching outside of NYCPS is not creditable.)
- You worked at least one complete school term (semester)
- You were rated Satisfactory (if your school system gave ratings)
- You performed the work in an accredited day school, in grades K-12
- You performed the work after receiving your bachelor’s degree
If you teach childhood education, early childhood, homebound, or special education, you may claim regular Pre-K teaching experience.
You may claim full-time teaching experience at an institution of higher learning. You will be awarded salary step placement at a rate of one semester of service for one year of full-time college teaching if the experience is deemed eligible. Note that adjunct and/or part-time college teaching is not accepted.
Related non-teaching experience for certain licenses:
Teachers in certain license areas, including but not limited to biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, and students with disabilities, may be eligible for salary step credit for qualified non-teaching experience. The non-teaching experience must meet the following criteria to be considered for salary step credit:
- It was paid
- It was full-time
- You worked at least one full calendar year in the qualifying position
- The position was reasonably related to your NYCPS license area
- You performed the work before your date of assignment at NYCPS
If you are applying to teach a Career and Technical Education (CTE) subject, you may also be eligible for salary step credit based on experience as a practitioner of your trade/industry area.
See here for additional details about completing the salary step application in the Salary Application System. Please note that you will not be able to apply for salary steps or salary differentials until after you have been hired.