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Science FAQ

The responses presented below are provided to address frequently asked questions related to science education in New York State.Ìý

What is the laboratory requirement to qualify to take a science Regents examination?Ìý

To qualify to take a Regents examination in any of the sciences, a student must complete 1,200 minutes of laboratory experiences with satisfactory documented laboratory reports.ÌýÌý

In January 2023, the Board of Regents adopted the. This allows any combination of hands-on and simulated laboratory experiences to satisfy the 1,200 minute laboratory requirement for admission into a Regents exam in science.Ìý

The 1,200 minutes of laboratory experience must be in addition to the required classroom instruction associated with earning a unit of credit. This requirement can be referenced in section 100.5(b)(7)(iv)(d) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

What science requirements must be fulfilled to obtain a New York State high school diploma?Ìý

In order to earn a local or Regents diploma, students must complete the following science requirements:Ìý

  • Earn three units of credit of commencement level scienceÌý
    • at least one in the life sciencesÌý
    • at least one in the physical sciencesÌý
    • the third may be either life sciences or physical sciencesÌý
  • Pass one of the Regents examinations in science (or a ¶«¾©ÈÈÎÞÂë-approved alternative)Ìý
    • Students must complete the laboratory requirement to qualify to take the Regents examination in science.Ìý

In order to earn a Regents diploma with advanced designation, students must complete the following additional requirements in science:Ìý

  • pass one additional science Regents examination or ¶«¾©ÈÈÎÞÂë-approved alternative, for a total of two Regents examinations in science, with at least one in life science and at least one in physical scienceÌý

Additional information pertaining to graduation requirements can be referenced in the Diploma/Credential Requirements summary or via the Graduation Requirements ·É±ð²ú±è²¹²µ±ð.Ìý

ÌýWhat science courses satisfy the three credit diploma requirement?Ìý

In order to earn diploma credit in science, courses must:Ìý

  • meet the unit of study requirements,Ìý
  • align to the commencement-level learning standards in science, andÌý
  • be taught by an appropriately certified teacher.Ìý

If the course culminates in a Regents examination, students must complete the laboratory requirement to qualify to take the Regents examination in science.Ìý

Note, a commencement-level course in technology education may be used as the third unit of credit in science or mathematics but not both. For additional information, reference Commissioner's Regulations Relating to Technology Education.Ìý

The includes all course codes with their descriptions that exist for both secondary and prior-to-secondary courses.Ìý

Learning Standards

1. Have the New York State science learning standards changed?

In 2016, the Board of Regents adopted the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards to begin implementation effective July 1, 2017. The New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards (2016) are based on guiding documents grounded in the most current research in science and scientific learning and reflect the importance of every student’s engagement with natural scientific phenomenon at the nexus of three dimensions of learning: Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts; A Framework for K-12 Science Education (National Research Council, 2012) and the Next Generation Science Standards (National Research Council, 2013).

Additional information can be referenced in theÌýIntroduction to the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards. For more information on implementation, please reference theÌýScience Guidance & Resources webpage.ÌýÌý

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Curriculum/Instruction

2. Does the °ÄÃŻʹÚ-Ê×Ò³ have a required science curriculum?

No. It is the local school district's responsibility to implement a curriculum which will provide students opportunities to achieve the science learning standards. For all grade levels and courses, science educators should review and align the appropriate science learning standards and/or core curriculum, where applicable. Schools and districts need to be cognizant of the transition from the Learning Standards for Math, Science, and Technology (1996) to the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards (2016). Additional information can be referenced in theÌýScience Timeline.

For more information, please reference the NYS P-12 Science Learning Standards on the Science webpage.

3. Are there any resources available to assist schools in designing courses that culminate in Regents exams?

The four high school science course maps have been developed by the Department to assist school districts in developing specific courses at the local level that align to the high school level (grades 9-12) performance expectations included in the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards (2016). Each science course map (Life Science: Biology; Earth and Space Sciences; Physical Science: Chemistry; and Physical Science: Physics), delineates specific performance expectations for courses that culminate in a corresponding Regents examination in science.

The High School Course Maps can be referenced on theÌýScience Guidance & ResourcesÌýwebpage.

Diploma Requirements

4. What science requirements must be fulfilled to obtain a New York State high school diploma?

In order to earn a local or Regents diploma, students must complete the following science requirements:

  • Earn three units of credit of commencement level science
    • at least one in the life sciences
    • at least one in the physical sciences
    • the third may be either life sciences or physical sciences
  • Pass one of the Regents examinations in science (or a ¶«¾©ÈÈÎÞÂë-approved alternative)
    • Students must complete the laboratory requirement to qualify to take the Regents examination in science (Reference question 10 for additional information).

In order to earn a Regents diploma with advanced designation, students must complete the following additional requirements in science:

  • pass one additional science Regents examination or ¶«¾©ÈÈÎÞÂë-approved alternative, for a total of two Regents examinations in science, with at least one in life science and at least one in physical science

Additional information pertaining to graduation requirements can be referenced in theÌýDiploma/Credential RequirementsÌýsummary or via the Graduation Requirements webpage.

5. What science courses satisfy the three credit diploma requirement?

In order to earn diploma credit in science, courses must:

  • meet theÌýunit of study requirements,
  • align to the commencement-level learning standards in science, and
  • be taught by an appropriately certified teacher.

If the course culminates in a Regents examination, students must complete the laboratory requirement to qualify to take the Regents examination in science (Reference question 10 for additional information).

Note, a commencement-level course in technology education may be used as the third unit of credit in scienceÌýorÌýmathematics but not both.Ìý For additional information, referenceÌýCommissioner's Regulations Relating to Technology Education.

TheÌýÌýincludes all course codes with their descriptionsÌýthat exist for both secondary and prior-to-secondary courses.

6. What is the difference between a life science course and a physical science course?

​​A physical science course primarily aligns to learning standards in the physical sciences and a life science course primarily aligns to learning standards in the life sciences.

Under the current regulations pertaining to diploma requirements, a course aligned to learning standards in the Earth and Space Sciences is considered to be a physical science course.

For more information about the learning standards, refer to theÌýScience Learning Standards.

7. May a student earn credit by examination in science?ÌýÌý

Yes. A student may earn diploma credit without completing the unit of study if, based on past academic performance, the superintendent or chief administrative officer determines the student will benefit academically by exercising this option.Ìý In order to earn credit by examination in science, the student must:

  • complete the 1,200 minute laboratory requirement,
  • score an 85 or above on the Regents examination, and
  • complete an oral exam or special project to demonstrate their proficiency of skills and abilities not measured by the assessment.Ìý Ìý

Note, this option only applies to courses that culminate in a Regents examination. Students cannot earn credit by examination using ¶«¾©ÈÈÎÞÂë-approved alternative examinations.

Additional information can be referenced in the section 100.5(d) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.Ìý

8.Ìý What assessments are approved as alternatives to the Regents examinations in science?

A current listing ofÌý¶«¾©ÈÈÎÞÂë-approved alternative examinationsÌýin science is maintained by the Office of State Assessment and posted on the Department’s web site.

9.Ìý Are transfer students eligible for any exemptions in science?

Out-of-state transfer students who enter a New York State high school for the first time in grade 12 may be exempted from the requirement for the Regents examination in science. This option also applies to out-of-state transfer students who re-enter in grade 12 after spending three or fewer semesters in a New York State high school. This option does not apply to students transferring between New York State schools. Additional information can be referenced on theÌýTransfer StudentsÌýwebpage.

Additionally, theÌýInterstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenÌýoutlines flexibilities that exist for military families in transition.

Laboratory Requirements

10. What is the laboratory requirement to qualify to take a science Regents examination?

To qualify to take a Regents examination in any of the sciences, a student must complete 1,200 minutes of laboratory experiences with satisfactory documented laboratory reports.Ìý

In January 2023, the Board of Regents adopted theÌý This allows any combination of hands-on and simulated laboratory experiences to satisfy the 1,200 minute laboratory requirement for admission into a Regents exam in science.Ìý

The 1,200 minutes of laboratory experience must be in addition to the required classroom instruction associated with earning a unit of credit.Ìý This requirement can be referenced in the section 100.5(b)(7)(iv)(d) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

11. Can the 1200-minute requirement be met through virtual laboratory experiences?

Yes. Virtual laboratory experiences allow students to complete laboratory experiments through the use of technology. Virtual laboratory experiences may include internet-based activities, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), extended reality (XR), or other technologies. Virtual laboratory experiences should be comparable to in-person laboratory experiences in that they engage students in learning by thinking, discussing, investigating, and creating. Just as with hands-on laboratory experiences, the expectation is that virtual laboratory experiences are aligned to the New York State Science Learning Standards and provide the opportunity for students to engage in active learning.Ìý

12. Can laboratory reports be stored electronically?Ìý

Yes, laboratory reports may be retained via digital or hard copy. Schools and districts are required to retain satisfactory written reports for a time period of at least six months following the administration of the science Regents examination.ÌýÌý

13. How can schools plan and prepare for safety in the science learning environment?

Science safety is paramount whether student learning occurs in the school, in the home, or in other learning environments such as virtual settings. Schools and districts must consider science safety measures when planning and developing science curriculum programming and instructional materials, including hands-on science and laboratory activities, to assure they are conducive to various learning environments and follow health and safety guidelines established by theÌý,Ìý, and theÌýNYS Education Department.

Education Law 2503(4)(c),Ìý, affords local control for the authorization of courses of study and their associated content. ÌýWith respect to science courses, schools and districts are also responsible for:

  • aligning laboratory experiences specific to each science course;
  • determining the mode or modes of instruction; and
  • identifying a viable vetted list of acceptable labs that a student would need to complete for each science course.

In addition, schools and districts should review their current science safety plans and protocols so teachers and students can safely continue to engage in science learning through activities and investigations, no matter the learning environment.Ìý

14. Must the laboratory requirement be met prior to admission to a State Regents examination in science?

Yes. Schools are permitted to establish a target date for the completion and submission of the laboratory requirement.

Once a student meets the laboratory requirement, for a specific science Regents exam, it does not expire. Students do not need to re-take the laboratory requirement to be admitted into a future science Regents exam.Ìý Reference question 10 for additional information.

15.ÌýCan schools accept laboratory experiences completed in another school by a transfer student?Ìý

Yes. When determining a transfer student’s eligibility for admission into a Regents exam in science, laboratory experiences from the sending school may be included. These may include hands-on and virtual laboratory experiences.

An attestation letter from the sending district confirming the number of laboratory minutes the student successfully completed in the science course may be requested. In instances where the student has transferred from out-of-state, these minutes could be embedded in the course, and this can be an approximation as the school may not be tracking specific minutes as we do in New York State. Any laboratory minutes successfully completed out-of-state may be included in the determination of whether or not the student met the 1,200 minute laboratory requirement for admission into a Regents exam in science.

16. May a school administrator or teacher exempt a student from the laboratory requirement?

No. All students must complete the laboratory requirement. Additional information pertaining to the laboratory requirement can be referenced in question 10.

Part 100 Regulations/Other Requirements

17. What are the program requirements in science?

Program requirements for each grade level can be referenced on theÌýGeneral ResourcesÌýwebpage.

18. May a student earn high school credit in the sciences prior to entering grade 9?

Yes. Students may be accelerated in a commencement-level science course in Grade 8Ìý if they meet local criteria set by the school district and/or the ¶«¾©ÈÈÎÞÂë Department. This course must culminate in a Regents examination in science at the conclusion of Grade 8.Ìý Additional information can be referenced in section 100.4(d) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

State Assessments

19.ÌýWhen will the New York State science assessments be aligned to the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards (2016)?​​

Elementary

The Elementary New York Science Test (Grade 5), aligned to the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards (2016), was first administered in Spring 2024.Ìý

Intermediate

The Intermediate New York State Science Test (Grade 8), aligned to the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards (2016), was first administered in Spring 2024.Ìý

High School (Commencement)

The Regents exams in Earth & Space Sciences and Biology, aligned to the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards, will first be administered in June 2025. The Regents exams in Chemistry and Physics, aligned to the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards (2016), will first be administered in June 2026. Additional information can be referenced in theÌýScience Timeline.

Update January 2023: For science,Ìýthere will be an overlap period of the current and new exams forÌýfourÌýadministrations. This will ensure that students can complete the exam that matches the instruction they received. For more information, see theÌýImplementation Schedule for New Regents Examinations in Mathematics, Science, and English Language Arts Memo.

Last Administration of Current Exams aligned to '96 MST Standards
Exam Title Last Administration Year
Earth & Space Sciences June 2026
Life Science: Biology June 2026
Chemistry June 2027
Physics June 2027

20.ÌýCan a student be admitted into a Regents examination in science if they did not pass the associated course?

Yes. There are two instances where a student could be admitted into a Regents examination in science without passing the course.

  • A student completed a course of study that culminates in a Regents examination in science and has also met the 1,200-minute laboratory requirement. Regardless of if the course was successfully (or unsuccessfully) completed, the student is eligible for admission into the Regents examination in science.
  • A superintendent (or chief administrative officer) determined the student would benefit from credit by examination. The student met the 1,200-minute laboratory requirement.Ìý

Please refer to pages 3 and 4 of the for additional information related to admission requirements for Regents examinations.Ìý

21. What is the contact information for questions related to the Investigations for the Elementary-, Intermediate-level Science Tests, and the High School Science Regents Examinations?

Questions relating to the Investigations may be directed to the Office of State Assessment at emscassessinfo@nysed.gov.