How to Become a Teacher in New Jersey

While preparing to become a teacher in New Jersey, the requirements will vary depending on whether you graduate from an accredited teaching program in New Jersey, from an out-of-state college, or have prior teaching experience in another state. Special routes exist for non-traditional teaching candidates with military backgrounds or those who are highly qualified in a subject area.

New Jersey issues two-year provisional Certificates of Eligibility satisfying employment requirements. New Jersey teachers receive permanent Standard Certification after completing jobsite training and two years of service. New Jersey teacher college graduates with advanced standing receive Standard Certification after only one year.

Things You'll Need

• Bachelor's degree, military experience, or federal "highly qualified status" in an instructional area GPA above 2.75 (exceptions for 2.50 and above) Satisfactory Praxis II or NTE subject matter scores State-mandated hygiene course Application Transcripts Fees

Instructions

Preparing to Become a Teacher in New Jersey- Basic Requirements

1. 

   Acquire a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degree from a regionally accredited university with a major in an instructional teaching area.

2. Complete a student teaching practicum.

3. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. New Jersey's Department of Education upholds a policy of grade flexibility for candidates with higher than average Praxis II scores.

4. Pass a PRAXIS II or NTE subject matter or specialty area test. Additional tests are required for elementary education, special education, foreign languages, and other areas. New Jersey's Department of Education follows a policy of test score flexibility for candidates with high grade point averages.

5. Take the state-mandated test on hygiene and physiology with emphasis on the effects of drugs and alcohol. Previous military basic training or college courses in the health sciences may provide a waiver from this requirement.

6. Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or or Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) through the county office of education in the locale where you seek employment or online through the New Jersey Department of Education. Apply for a CEAS if you graduated from a state-approved education program with student teaching experience.

Required Items for New Jersey Teacher Application

1. 

   Complete an application online at the New Jersey Department of Education website. Alternately, request a paper application at [phone] from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM ET Monday through Friday.

2. Make an oath of allegiance and verification of accuracy by completing the appropriate form. Non-citizens must complete a different version.

3. Obtain official, sealed transcripts from all four-year accredited universities. Credits from two-year colleges only count toward certification if appearing as transfer credits on a transcript from an accredited four-year program. Transcripts must show GPA, degree granted, and graduation date.

4. Submit required PRAXIS II scores.

5. Check the New Jersey Department of Education for current fees and include payment with the application. Online applicants may pay by credit card; mailed applications should include a check or money order written to the Commissioner of Education.

6. 

   Mail the completed application, transcripts, and supporting materials to:

   Office of Licensure and Credentials
   New Jersey Department of Education
   P.O. Box 500
   Trenton, NJ 08625

7. Expect up to twelve weeks processing time for an application to become a teacher in New Jersey.

Alternate Routes to Become a Teacher in New Jersey

1. Apply for certification even if your GPA is below 2.75 but still above 2.50. You must score 10% higher than the minimum required score on your subject matter PRAXIS II or NTE test. Keep your GPA above 3.5 if you fail to pass your Praxis II or NTE subject matter test by no more than five percent.

2. Pursue a non-traditional route to certification if you don't have a degree in education but wish to teach in New Jersey. Qualify for a New Jersey Certificate of Eligibility (CE), find employment, and enter a Provisional Teacher Preparation (PTP) program. You need to meet federal requirements for "highly qualified" classification in your area of endorsement. Your teaching certificate will be provisional for two years while completing formal education requirements.

3. 

   Active duty, reserve, selective service, and retired military personnel may pursue New Jersey teacher certification through the Troops to Teachers (TTT) program. Educators in the TTT program must teach three years in a high-need or low-income district.

Tips & Warnings

• New Jersey teaching program graduates with a completed student teaching practicum receive Certificates of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) and do not have to complete Provisional Teacher Program (PTP) training before Standard Certification. New Jersey participates in program and certification reciprocity agreements with other states. Satisfactory PRAXIS II test scores are required. Web applications receive faster processing.

• New out-of-state teaching college graduates must include a verification of program completion form with confirmation of student teaching experience. Supply copies of out-of-state certifications and letters of recommendation from principals, supervisors, or superintendents documenting any prior teaching experience. Consult the New Jersey Department of Education for additional requirements specific to instructional certification in areas including early elementary, foreign languages, vocational-technology, special education, P.E., and middle school instruction.

Resources

• New Jersey Department of Education Licensing
• No Child Left Behind Highly Qualified Teachers Initiative
• Troops to Teachers Program (TTT)