General Instructions
The New York State Training and Technical Assistance Professional (T‑TAP) Credential – Coach Designation provides a standard to assure the quality of early learning coaching and recognizes a high level of professional achievement. Applicants must (1) meet education and experience requirements, (2) submit a Written Reflection Application, and (3) complete a video interview. Your application should present evidence of competence aligned to the New York State Coaching Competencies.
The credential is required to access Education Incentive Program (EIP) dollars, Quality Scholars payments, and to give OCFS credit.
Education and Experience
Your education and experience are verified through The Aspire Registry. Before applying, complete your Individual (and Coach) Aspire profile. NYAEYC offers the T‑TAP Coach designation for coaches of teachers and coaches of leaders across early childhood, school‑age, and family child care settings.
You must have an active Aspire Registry Profile with a completed TA Professional tab the meets one of the pathways below:
Intent to Apply Form
Once you have an active Aspire Professional Profile, complete the Intent to Apply Form.
You will supply basic contact information including your Aspire ID. The application should take no more than 15 minutes to complete.
Using information from your Aspire Professional Development Record, NYAEYC will determine your eligibility for the credential. Candidates will be notified of their eligibility status within 10 business days.
Your application and accompanying payment are only valid for 90 calendar days.
Written Reflection Application
Once your Intent to Apply Form is received and all submitted information has been verified to meet the credential qualifications, you will receive an email with instructions for completing the Written Reflection Application.
- You will have 30 business days from the date of that email to complete and submit this section.
- Important Reminder: This email will include your link to access the digital written reflection.
Section 1: New York State Core Body of Knowledge (CBK) Coach Self-Assessment
As an applicant for the T-TAP Coach Credential, you need to have knowledge, skill, and professional experience in the Core Competency Areas in which you coach. Applicants will complete a self-assessment using the New York State Core Body of Knowledge Coach Assessment Tool in a minimum of three Core Competency Areas.
Assessment Step 1: Review Each Section
There are seven sections, each aligned with CBK areas. Each section includes:
- Core Knowledge (what you understand)
- Essential Skills (what you can do)
- Habits of Mind and Dispositions (how you approach your work)
- Core Competencies (complex bundles of knowledge, skills, and behaviors; descriptors outline specific components of each core competency)
Assessment Step 2: Complete the Self-Assessment
Applicants must:
- Assess Core Competency Area 1: Child Development Learning In Context
- Choose a minimum of one personal strength Core Competency Area
- Choose a minimum of one personal growth Core Competency Area
Work systematically through each section. Read each descriptor carefully and make a note of areas of strengths and areas of opportunity. List thoughts and plans. Be honest—this is a tool for growth, not evaluation.
For each Core Competency Area:
- Rate your personal level of knowledge of the core competency.
- Reflect on your experience implementing that core competency as an early childhood educator responsible for the direct care and teaching of young children.
- Note how recently and how often you have been coaching on that core competency.
Please refer to the tool for further instructions.
Assessment Step 3: Use the Results
- Identify areas you are well prepared to train.
- Identify strengths and growth opportunities.
- Create a Personal Professional Development Plan.
Assessment Step 4: Upload the Completed Assessment
- Candidates must upload a completed self-assessment into the Written Reflection Application.
- Note: Uploads are not save in the “save and resume later” function, therefore all uploads must be done on the day of submission.
Practical Tips
- Be honest and specific – this is for growth, not evaluation.
- Use the CBK descriptors as your guide.
- Document examples of your experience (e.g., “I’ve trained on observation and assessment for five years”).
- For growth areas, think about resources, training, or mentoring you need.
Section 2: Description of Practice
The purpose of this section is understand your coaching practice and how it aligns with the NYS Coaching Competencies.
A. Statement of personal coaching philosophy.
B. Description of your work with one coachee.
i. How did the coachee access your service?
ii. What were the components of your first meeting?
iii. How did you identify the learning and communication styles and preferences of your coachee?
iv. Describe your goal-setting process.
v. Share the goals and objectives for the coaching cycle.
vi. Describe three action steps and their implementation (e.g., modeling, observation and reflection, providing resources).
vii. How did you know if the coaching partnership was succeeding and what adjustments did you make in the process?
viii. How did you conclude the coaching relationship and lay the groundwork for continued growth?
C. How do you use reflective practice to reexamine coaching relationships, solve ethical dilemmas, and reflect on your own work?
Definition of Coaching (used for this credential): A relationship‑based process led by an expert in adult learning that builds capacity for specific dispositions, skills, and behaviors, focused on goal‑setting and achievement for an individual or group.
Section 3: Credential Maintenance and Attestation Statements
At the conclusion of your written reflection, you will review and sign the following statements to confirm your commitment to professional standards and the authenticity of your submission.
Credential Maintenance Policy
This Credential Maintenance Policy outlines the ongoing expectations and requirements for holders of the New York State Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) Professional Credential. The purpose of this policy is to ensure credential holders maintain high standards of professional practice, ethical conduct, data integrity, and alignment with New York State systems and partner agencies.
Maintenance Requirements
To maintain the credential in good standing, credential holders must meet all of the requirements outlined below.
1. Ethical and Professional Conduct
Credential holders must:
- Adhere to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct in all professional activities.
- Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and accountability in interactions with participants, partners, and agencies.
- Conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on NYAEYC and its partner agencies.
2. Data Reporting and Verification Responsibilities
Credential holders are required to:
- Accurately log all training and coaching activities provided to licensed and registered programs in New York State in Aspire.
- Ensure data is entered in a complete, timely, and accurate manner in accordance with Aspire requirements.
- Verify participant attendance in Aspire for all applicable training and coaching sessions.
- Upload documentation (e.g., certificates, attendance logs) when training cannot be automatically verified through Aspire.
Failure to meet data reporting and attendance verification requirements may impact credential status.
3. Continuing Professional Development
Credential holders must:
- Engage in ongoing professional learning to remain current in adult learning best practices, early childhood education, and technical assistance.
- Complete required professional development hours, if specified by NYAEYC or partner agencies, within designated renewal periods.
- Maintain competence within their area(s) of expertise.
- Professional development documentation must be maintained and verified in Aspire under the individual credential holder’s account
4. Content Quality and Accuracy
Credential holders must:
- Provide current, evidence-informed, and developmentally appropriate content aligned with best practices.
- Ensure information shared with participants is accurate and reflects current research, policy, and practice.
5. Confidentiality and Privacy
Credential holders must:
- Maintain confidentiality of all participant information.
- Protect personal, programmatic, and identifiable data obtained through training, coaching, or technical assistance activities.
- Comply with applicable federal, state, and organizational privacy requirements.
6. Copyright and Intellectual Property
Credential holders must:
- Comply with copyright laws and intellectual property requirements.
- Obtain written permission and/or provide proper acknowledgment when using materials created by other trainers, organizations, or programs.
7. Respect, Inclusion, and Equity
Credential holders must:
- Treat all participants fairly, respectfully, and without discrimination.
- Deliver content that is culturally responsive, inclusive, and respectful of diverse backgrounds, identities, and perspectives.
8. Sales, Promotion, and Conflicts of Interest
Credential holders must:
- Refrain from selling or promoting products or services during training or coaching sessions unless explicitly approved and directly related to session content.
- Disclose any potential conflicts of interest when applicable.
9. Collaboration and Agency Standing
Credential holders must:
- Collaborate professionally with NYAEYC and its partner agencies to best serve early childhood educators, children, and families across New York State.
- Maintain good standing with NYAEYC partner agencies, including but not limited to:
- Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)
- SUNY Professional Development Program
- New York Works for Children
- New York State Network for Youth Success
10. Monitoring and Compliance
NYAEYC reserves the right to:
- Monitor compliance with credential maintenance requirements.
- Review data submissions, training records, and related documentation.
- Request corrective action or additional documentation when needed.
11. Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with this policy may result in one or more of the following actions:
- Required corrective action or technical assistance
- Temporary suspension of the credential
- Revocation of the credential
- Ineligibility for renewal
12. Self-Reporting Obligations
As a credential holder, I understand that I must self-report within 48 hours any changes in status with a partner agency, including investigations, suspensions, or revocations. Failure to self-report will result in permanent removal of credential status.
13. Consent
I understand my responsibilities and consent to partner agencies sharing status updates regarding my standing with their organizations.
14. Policy Review and Updates
This policy is subject to periodic review and revision to ensure alignment with state systems, partner agency requirements, and emerging best practices. Credential holders will be notified of substantive updates.
Acknowledgement
Credential holders are required to review and affirm this Credential Maintenance Policy as a condition of initial credentialing and ongoing credential maintenance.
Declaration of Authenticity
I declare that this submission is my original work, prepared to fulfill the purposes and objectives of the New York State Training and Technical Assistance Professional Credential – Coach process.
By signing, I attest that:
- I am the author of the plans materials and documentation submitted in this application.
- I personally provided the coaching described in this portfolio to the coachee(s) referenced.
Video Interview
An interview is scheduled within 30 days of portfolio submission. You will respond to case scenarios (and brief follow‑ups) designed to assess your practice against the NYS Coaching Competencies.
What to Expect
- Scenarios are adapted from real coaching experiences and may describe challenging situations. In real life, you might choose not to proceed with a coaching relationship because of these circumstances; however, for the interview, please respond as if the coaching relationship is moving forward.
- Each scenario will use the same discussion prompts to guide the conversation. Your responses should address all topics, but you do not need to answer in order.
- Timing:
- You will have 12 minutes to reflect and respond to each scenario.
- After the scenarios, there will be two follow-up questions. For these, you will have 5 minutes to reflect (camera on, microphone off) and 5 minutes to respond.
- We encourage you to think out loud and let the reviewers know when you have finished your response.
Scenario Discussion Prompts
- What perspectives, contributing factors, and cultural considerations are influencing each person’s behavior in this scenario?
- As the coach, what is your primary focus in addressing this situation, and how does it align with relationship‑based, culturally responsive coaching practices?
- How would you initiate your coaching work in this situation—including how you would build trust, gather information, and establish shared goals with the key individuals involved?
- What coaching strategies would you use to support growth for the individuals and the program—including feedback, capacity‑building, and fostering reflective, culturally responsive practice?
Competency Focus
Candidates are strongly encouraged to review:
Your responses should demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and dispositions as a Coach.
Scoring Rubric
Your written reflection and interview will be evaluated by two independent peer reviewers using the T-TAP Coach Scoring Rubric. This rubric measures the depth, breadth, and quality of your responses and is fully aligned with the T-TAP Coach Competencies.
Minimum Score Requirement:
Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70% on both the written reflection and the interview to be eligible for credentialing.
Notification of Status:
Candidates will receive official notification of their T-TAP Coach status within 10 business days following the interview. Possible outcomes include:
- Award
Congratulations! You will receive information on how to maintain your credential. - Deferral
You will receive specific instructions or steps to complete before reapplying. The timeline is self-paced and depends on when you complete the required steps. - Denial
Candidate is not eligible to reapply.
Fees and Payments
Fees are required to issue the Coach designation through the New York State Training and Technical Assistance Professional Credential. These fees are collected at two points:
- Intent to Apply submission
- Written Reflection Application submission
Payment Options:
- Credit Card (Preferred)
NYAEYC accepts and strongly encourages payment using the secure Stripe interface embedded in the Intent to Apply Form and Written Reflection Application.
- Payment by Check
If you choose this option, mail a check for the amount due.
Checks should be mail payable to NYAEYC and mailed to 230 Washington Ave., Ext., Albany, NY 12203
Note: An additional $25 fee will be charged for any returned check.
| Intent to Apply | Written Application Submission | Resubmission Fee (1 part deferred) | Resubmission Fee (2 parts deferred) | |
| NYAEYC Members | $100 | $350 | $250 | $350 |
| Nonmembers | $100 | $450 | $350 | $450 |
Maintaining Your Credential
To maintain your Training and Technical Assistance Professional (T-TAP) Credential as a Coach, you must renew your credential every three years.
The renewal process ensures that you:
- Participate in ongoing professional development.
- Provide sufficient coaching to the field to be considered active.
- Keep your Aspire Profile current and accurate.
Renewal Guidelines
Step 1. Maintain an Active Aspire Profile
- Your profile on the Aspire Registry requires annual renewal to ensure all tabs are complete and your contact information is current, as this is how your contact information is displayed on the public search.
- Note: Any additions you make to your profile must be accompanied by the supporting documentation for verification purposes. For example, if you are now a CPR and First Aid Trainer, you must submit copies of your instructor certificates OR if you have received additional education or a higher degree you must submit copies of your official transcripts.
Step 2. Personal Professional Development
Remaining current in the field is paramount to providing high-quality coaching.
- You must attend at least one personal professional development session in each of the three years of your renewal period.
- Our professional recommendation is that credential holders attend a minimum of 10 hours of personal professional development per year.
- All hours must be documented and verified in your Aspire profile or through certificates of completion.
- Note: If you have not participated in any professional development during the renewal period, you are not eligible to renew your credential. Fifty percent (50%) of the professional development must be synchronous learning.
Step 3. Active Trainer Status
Maintaining this credential requires you to actively provide coaching.
- You must provide at least one coaching cycle each year during your renewal period.
- All coaching cycles for licensed/registered child care programs must be entered in the Aspire Registry.
- Note: If you have not provided any coaching during the renewal period, you are not eligible to renew your credential.
Step 4. Complete Renewal Application
- Let NYAEYC know you would like to maintain your credential at least 30 days prior to expiration.
- Be prepared to answer these reflective questions:
- Describe your personal professional development focus over the renewal period and actions you took to enhance your knowledge on your focus area(s).
- Describe how has the professional development you received in this renewal period impacted your role as a coach.
- Explain how you use reflective practice to reexamine coaching sessions, solve ethical and/or cultural dilemmas, and reflect on your own work.
- Describe any support, training, or coaching that would assist you in your role as a professional development provider.
- Complete your Personal Professional Development Plan
- As a holder of the T-TAP you have committed to engage in continuous learning and self-reflection. Identify three core competency areas and/or credential competencies in which you intend to seek further study in the next three years and strategies you will use to implement your plan.
- Revise the Personal Professional Development Plan you submitted as part of your application or last renewal, as applicable.
- Sign the Training and Technical Assistance Professional Credential Credential Maintenance Policy
- Pay the $100 renewal fee.
- Note: All credential holders receive a six-month grace period before credentials are deactivated.
Coach Directory
You must indicate in your Aspire Professional Profile that you would like to be included in public trainer and coach directory so that professionals can easily seek your services.