A Michigan CY endorsement lets you teach career and technical education in public schools

The CY endorsement is a Michigan teaching credential that authorizes you to instruct career and technical (CTE) courses — also called vocational or career-tech classes. These are hands-on programs in fields like automotive technology, healthcare, construction, information technology, culinary arts, and skilled trades. Without this endorsement on your teaching certificate, you cannot teach these courses in a Michigan public school, even if you have years of industry experience.

The endorsement is separate from a standard teaching certificate. You need both: a valid Michigan teaching certificate in any subject area, plus the CY endorsement added to it. The Michigan Department of Education and Training (MDOE) issues and tracks both credentials.

Key Takeaways

  • A CY endorsement authorizes you to teach career and technical education courses in Michigan public schools and is required in addition to a standard teaching certificate.
  • You must have at least two years of documented work experience in the career field you want to teach, or complete an approved CTE teacher preparation program.
  • The endorsement requires passing the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) in your specific career area, plus meeting content knowledge standards set by MDOE.
  • You explore through an approved teacher preparation program or through MDOE's alternative route if you already hold a teaching certificate and meet experience requirements.
  • Once issued, the CY endorsement appears on your teaching certificate and remains valid as long as your certificate is active.

Who needs a CY endorsement

Any teacher in a Michigan public school who instructs a career and technical education course must hold a CY endorsement. This includes teachers in district-run CTE programs, career centers (also called intermediate school districts or ISDs), and charter schools that offer CTE courses.

If you teach a standard academic subject — English, math, science, social studies — you do not need a CY endorsement. But if your course focuses on applied skills in a specific trade or career field, the endorsement is required. Some schools may ask you to hold both a subject endorsement and a CY endorsement if your role spans both academic and technical instruction.

Experience and education requirements

Michigan requires one of two paths to earn a CY endorsement. The first is work experience: you must have at least two years of documented, full-time work experience in the career field you want to teach. This experience must be recent enough to be relevant — typically within the last five to ten years, though MDOE evaluates this on a case-by-case basis. You will need to provide pay stubs, employment letters, or other proof from your employer.

The second path is formal education: you can complete an approved career and technical teacher preparation program through a Michigan college or university. These programs are designed for people who have industry experience but may not meet the exact two-year threshold, or for career changers who want structured training in how to teach CTE content. The program combines coursework in education, pedagogy, and your specific career field.

You must also pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) in your specific career area. MDOE maintains a list of approved MTTC exams for each CTE field — automotive technology, nursing, welding, information technology, and others. You register for and pay for the MTTC exam separately through the testing vendor.

how the process works for a CY endorsement

If you already hold a Michigan teaching certificate and meet the work experience requirement, you can explore through MDOE's alternative route. Contact MDOE directly or work with an approved teacher preparation program that handles alternative route applications. You will submit proof of your work experience, pass the relevant MTTC exam, and pay any required fees. Processing typically takes four to eight weeks after MDOE receives your complete process.

If you do not yet hold a teaching certificate, you must enroll in an approved teacher preparation program that offers CY endorsement training. These programs guide you through obtaining your base teaching certificate and the CY endorsement together. Some programs are offered full-time over one academic year; others are part-time or evening programs for working professionals. Costs vary by institution and program length.

You can find a list of approved teacher preparation programs on the MDOE website. Contact the program directly to ask about CY endorsement tracks, tuition, and process important date. Many programs have rolling admissions, but some have specific start dates.

What happens after you receive your endorsement

Once MDOE approves your process and you pass the MTTC exam, the CY endorsement is added to your teaching certificate. You will receive an updated certificate in the mail showing both your base certificate and the CY endorsement. This document is what you show to your employer and keep on file.

The endorsement remains valid as long as your Michigan teaching certificate is active. You do not need to renew the CY endorsement separately. However, Michigan requires all teachers to complete continuing education credits to renew their teaching certificate every five years. Some of those credits can be in career and technical education content or pedagogy, which keeps your CTE knowledge current.

CY endorsement versus other career-related credentials

The CY endorsement is different from industry certifications like a commercial driver's license, nursing license, or welding certification. Those credentials prove you can perform the work; the CY endorsement proves you can teach it in a school setting. You can hold both — in fact, many CTE teachers maintain their industry license or certification while teaching. MDOE does not require it, but employers often prefer it because it shows you stay current in your field.

Some career fields also require a trade endorsement in addition to the CY endorsement. For example, a teacher in a construction program might need both. Check with MDOE or your school district to confirm what endorsements explore to your specific course or program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I teach CTE courses with just industry experience and no teaching certificate?

No. Michigan law requires all public school teachers, including CTE teachers, to hold a valid teaching certificate. Industry experience alone does not meet this requirement. You must obtain a teaching certificate through an approved program, then add the CY endorsement.

How long does it take to get a CY endorsement if I already have a teaching certificate?

If you meet the work experience requirement and pass the MTTC exam, MDOE typically processes the endorsement in four to eight weeks. The MTTC exam itself is offered on set dates throughout the year, so the timeline depends partly on when you can test and how quickly you submit your complete process.

What if my work experience is in a field that does not have an MTTC exam?

Not every career field has a corresponding MTTC exam. Contact MDOE to ask about your specific field. If no exam exists, MDOE may allow you to demonstrate content knowledge through other means, such as a portfolio review or passing a different assessment. MDOE staff can explain the options for your situation.

Do I need a CY endorsement if I teach at a private school?

Michigan's CY endorsement requirement applies to public schools. Private schools have different credentialing rules and may not require it. Check with your private school employer about their specific requirements for CTE teachers.

Can I hold a CY endorsement in more than one career field?

Yes. You can add multiple CY endorsements to your certificate by passing the MTTC exam and meeting the experience or education requirement for each field. This allows you to teach in different career areas or move between programs as your career develops.