New Jersey State Teacher Certification

New Jersey state teacher certification is a two-stage process.

Obtaining standard New Jersey teacher certification is a two step-process, first requiring teachers to apply for a certificate of eligibility and then complete a provisional teaching program before they are eligible for standard certification, a permanent designation. Certification is required for staff members employed by New Jersey public schools or any institution supervised by the New Jersey Department of Education.

Certificate of Eligibility

A certificate of eligibility (alternate route) is a credential with lifetime validity issued to those who wish to work as teachers but who have not completed a teacher preparation program. Obtaining one requires satisfying basic teacher certification requirements, including academic study and testing, and allows holders to seek and accept employment in New Jersey public schools while completing the provisional teaching program. For those with an alternate route Certificate of Eligibility, it includes 34 weeks of mentoring, with four weeks of intensive mentoring at the outset of the provisional teaching program, the evaluations by school-based administrators, and 200 hours of formal instruction aligned with the New Jersey Professional standards for teachers, which is completed while working as a teacher and divided into three phases of 80 hours, 60 hours and 60 hours.

Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing

The Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing can be issued to those who have completed a teacher preparation program and meet the requirements for certification, including academic study and testing. It qualifies the teacher to work while completing the provisional teaching program. For teachers with a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing, the provisional teaching program includes 30 weeks of support and mentoring by an experienced teacher and three evaluations by school-based administrators, including a final evaluation recommending novice teachers for standard certification.

Provisional Teaching Certificate

After a prospective teacher obtains a certificate of eligibility and a full-time teaching job, the employing district will apply for a provisional teaching certificate, which is valid for two years and allows the holder to work as a teacher while satisfying the requirements for a standard New Jersey teaching certificate by completing the provisional teaching program.

Standard Teaching Certificate

A standard teaching certificate is a permanent certificate for teachers who satisfy all requirements by completing the provisional teaching program, holding a previously issued New Jersey instructional certificate or having a valid out-of-state instructional certificate with one year of full-time teaching experience. The non-citizen standard certificate is a five-year certificate for those who meet the requirements for state certification but are not United States citizens. A non-citizen standard certificate can be renewed once by showing progress towards citizenship. Additional renewals require copies of documentation from the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Other Considerations

To be licensed in New Jersey in subject teaching fields and elementary education, teachers must pass the appropriate Praxis II subject assessment/specialty area test or tests. This includes applicants who are certified in other states.

As of 2010, the cost of the provisional teacher program was $550 for Certificate of Eligibility holders, to pay the mentoring teacher over the 30 weeks of the program. For Certificate of Eligibility holders, the costs in 2010 included $450 paid to the teacher who mentors the novice teacher for the initial intensive mentoring, $550 for the mentor during the next 30 weeks, and $1,450 for the formal instruction.

References

• New Jersey Department of Education: Licensure & Credentials