New Jersey Substitute Teacher Certification

Substitutes get paid about $65 to $125 per day in New Jersey, as of 2010.

Anyone who holds a teaching certification issued by the New Jersey Department of Education can generally qualify as a substitute teacher in the state. However, if you do not meet that requirement, then you must obtain a county substitute teacher certificate.

Facts

Candidates do not need a bachelor's degree, or even an associate's degree, to procure substitute teacher certification. You must, however, possess a minimum of 60 semester hours of college credit.

Fingerprinting

Application packets are available at your local school district's board of education office. Complete the Criminal History Review form and schedule a fingerprinting appointment with a Sagem Morpho facility (see Resources for more information). Clearance will take about six weeks.

Forms

In the meantime, hand deliver the completed county application form, the Oath of Allegiance with your notarized signature, a check and your official college transcript back to the board of education office.

Fees

Fingerprinting costs about $75 and the certificate is another $125, as of 2010.

Expectations

Expect to visit your doctor for a mantoux test and submit the negative results for tuberculosis. When your district superintendent's office receives your substitute certificate from Trenton, it will mail it to you. Then, your application will go before the board for final approval. Once approved, get ready for an onslaught of 6 a.m. phone calls.

References

• Middle Township Board of Education Substitute Teacher Application Packet
• New Jersey Schools: Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School "Substitute Teacher Information"
• New Jersey Schools: Guide to Certification
• Cape May County, New Jersey: Superintendent of Schools

Resources

• New Jersey Licensure and Credentials