New Jersey Teacher Certification

The New Jersey Department of Education is responsible for New Jersey teacher certification. The current regulations for licensing teachers in New Jersey went into effect in January of 2004. In New Jersey, an instructional certificate is necessary to teach in an elementary or secondary school. Certificates have endorsements which indicate the subject area or areas that the individual is authorized to teach.

New Jersey issues instructional certificates in a three-step process.

1. Step 1 simply establishes eligibility to seek and accept teaching employment. At this step, an individual may earn one of two certificates: the Certificate of Eligibility (CE), or the Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS). Both certificates have a lifetime validity. The CE certificate is intended for individuals who have not completed a traditional college-level teacher preparation program.
2. Step 2 covers initial employment. At this step, New Jersey issues a two-year Provisional Certificate to individuals who are employed in a state-approved district training program or residency.
3. Step 3 is the process of becoming permanently certified. At this level, New Jersey issues a Standard Instructional Certificate to individuals who have met all of the certification requirements.

The Process for New Jersey Teacher Certification

The first step to becoming certified to teach in New Jersey is to establish your eligibility for employment. This is done by obtaining either your Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS). To obtain a CE, an individual must:

• Complete an academic degree program. For prospective elementary school teachers they must have at least 60 credits in liberal arts or sciences. For prospective secondary school teachers they must have 30 credits in a sequence of study in the subject that they wish to teach. Individuals graduating prior to September 1, 2004 must have graduated with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a scale of 4. Those graduating after September 1, 2004 must have graduated with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• Pass the necessary certification tests

To obtain a CEAS, an individual must:

• Complete an academic degree program that is a traditional college-level teacher preparation program in a New Jersey college or university. For prospective elementary school teachers they must have at least 60 credits in liberal arts or sciences. For prospective secondary school teachers they must have 30 credits in a sequence of study in the subject that they wish to teach. Individuals graduating prior to September 1, 2004 must have graduated with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a scale of 4. Those graduating after September 1, 2004 must have graduated with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
• Pass the necessary certification tests.

To establish eligibility for vocational/technical education, an individual must receive their degree with a major in the occupation that they will teach, adhering to the same GPA requirements as a CE or CEAS as outlined above. There are no certification exams for vocational/technical teachers.

Individuals who complete their traditional teacher preparation program out-of-state and qualify under reciprocity in accordance with the Interstate Certification Compact, will have met the professional and content area educational requirements. They still must pass the appropriate certification tests.

The second step to becoming fully certified to teach in New Jersey is to obtain your initial teaching employment as part of a state-approved initial district training program or residency. At this point a two-year Provisional certificate is issued.

The requirements for becoming permanently certified and obtaining a Standard Instructional certificate are:

• A bachelors degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Individuals graduating prior to September 1, 2004 must have graduated with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a scale of 4. Those graduating after September 1, 2004 must have graduated with a GPA of 2.75 or higher. Individuals who wish to teach elementary school must have obtained a degree in liberal arts or the sciences. Individuals who wish to teach secondary school must have a major in the subject area that they wish to teach.
• Passing the appropriate PRAXIS II/NTE test. Prospective elementary teachers must pass the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge test. Prospective secondary teachers must pass the appropriate Specialty Areas test.
• Obtain one year of teaching experience either through the Provisional Teacher Program or full time teaching under a valid license for graduates of traditional teacher preparation programs.

Additional endorsements may be added to a Standard Instructional Certificate by completing at least 30 semester hours in the subject.

Additional requirements for obtaining certificates include:

• Applicants must be a US citizen or declare their intention to become a citizen on a notarized affidavit.
• Applicants must pass an examination in physiology and hygiene, including the effects of drugs and alcohol, at a county office of education.

Certification for Teachers Certified in Other States

Out-of-State candidates qualifying under reciprocity in accordance with the Interstate Certification Compact, will have met the professional and content area educational requirements. They still must pass the appropriate certification tests to receive their receive their certificate.

New Jersey Certificate Renewal

A Standard Instructional Certificate is a permanent certificate and does not require renewal. There are no continuing education requirements.