The Credential Verification Service for New York State process
Steps to have a report verifying your credentials sent to New York State
| STEPS YOU TAKE | CGFNS RESPONSE | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Apply to New York State for licensure at http://www.op.nysed.gov/pdffiles.htm. Send the documents/forms that they request to them, not to CGFNS. | |
| 2. | Register with CGFNS to create your online account. Go to https://www.cgfns.org/cerpassweb/register.jsp, and fill out the information fields. This account will help keep you informed about the status of your application, and help us inform you about documents we need from you, even if you choose to apply through postal mail rather than online. | |
| 3. | EITHER: Apply online after creating your user account. Print out the application and have signed and dated in the presence of a notary and mail to CGFNS – OR – Complete, sign, date and have notarized the application located at www.cgfns.org/files/pdf/apps/CVS_Handbook.pdf. Mail either way to PO Box 8628, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19101-8628 USA. Full payment (payment instructions are located at www.cgfns.org/sections/apply/fees.shtml) is required. |
We send you welcome notification and your CGFNS ID number* through the method you chose on your application for receiving correspondence from us. |
| 4a. | Complete the Credential Verification Service for New York State Authorization for Validation of License/Registration form and mail it to CGFNS at PO Box 8628, Philadelphia, PA 19101-8628 USA. | We send the forms to the licensing authority where you were first registered. For Canadian applicants, CGFNS mails up to three request letters to the licensing authorities every 30 days. For all other countries, CGFNS mails up to three request letters to the licensing authorities every 60 days. |
| 4b. | Complete the Credential Verification Service for New York State Authorization for Verification of Academic Records/Transcripts form and mail it to CGFNS at PO Box 8628, Philadelphia, PA 19101-8628 USA. | We send the forms to the schools that you attended. For Canadian applicants, CGFNS mails up to three request letters to the schools every 30 days. For all other countries, CGFNS mails up to three request letters to the schools every 60 days. |
| 5. | After receiving all required documents from you, your schools and your licensing authorities, we review them. | |
| 6. | Check your online account at https://www.cgfns.org/cerpassweb/login.jsp. and please respond to any correspondence regarding more information or documents needed from you. | Once we have reviewed all the documents or after the response time allowed has elapsed**, we prepare and send a report to the New York State Education Department. The New York State Education Department will contact you with more information about your eligibility or need for further information. |
*Please note: If you applied for another CGFNS service in the past, the CGFNS ID number you were issued at that time remains your permanent ID number. The CGFNS ID number helps us help you keep track of your status and complete your application successfully.
**For Canadian applicants, the response time is limited to 90 days. For applicants in all other countries, the response time is limited to 180 days. The response time begins when CGFNS sends the first request letters to your school and/or licensing authority. Request letters will not be sent until CGFNS receives and processes your full payment, a completed application and all authorization forms. If CGFNS does not receive the required documents by the end of the response time, we prepare a report and send it to the New York State Education Department noting those deficiencies. New York State may then inform you of further steps for licensure.
