New Jersey Teacher Certification

Teaching Programs in New Jersey

So you want to earn your New Jersey Teacher Certification? Let's take a look at the step by step instructions:

New Jersey Initial Educator Certification

1. Earn your Bachelors Degree or higher from an accredited university. If you already have a bachelors degree, then be sure to earn your Master’s Degree right away
2. Teacher preparations. This will include teacher prep courses, student teaching, and other types of internships. In order to receive an New Jersey Teacher Certification, you must have some experience in teaching, even if it’s unpaid
3. If you hold a degree dated before September 1, 2004, then your GPA must be 2.5 or higher. If your degree is after that date, then you must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
4. You’ll need to pass the examination given by the New Jersey County Offices of Education. You will also need to pass the Praxis II (subject area) exam.
5. Submit the following:
   • Apply Online
   • Test scores
   • Required Fees
   • Official Transcripts of all degrees and credits you have earned
   • Mail to:
     New Jersey Department of Education
     Office of Licensing and Credentials
     P.O. Box 500
     Trenton, NJ. 08625-0500
     For more information, call (609) 292-2070
6. Do you want to renew your teaching credentials in New Jersey?
   • Apply for your renewal

New Jersey Alternative Teacher Certification

Alternatively, there is another way you can take to get your New Jersey Teacher Certification that will allow you to teach without completing the teacher education program.

*A mentorship program is required to qualify for the standard New Jersey Teacher Certification*

1. Obviously you must still earn your Bachelors Degree from an accredited university. Ideally, you should always continue your education in efforts to earn a Master’s Degree.
2. Mentoring- 20 days of pre-service training/support; may be modified
3. Mentoring- 30 weeks of support by a school-based experienced teacher
4. Supervision & Evaluation- 3 evaluations by school based administrators, including final summative evaluation recommending the novice teacher for standard certification
5. Formal Instruction- at least 200 hours of instruction aligned with the New Jersey Professional Standards for Teachers
6. See more of the requirements along with fee schedule here
7. Apply Online and call (609) 984-6377

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