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New Jersey Teacher Certification and Career Guide

New Jersey requires all teachers at public K-12 schools to be certified based on the New Jersey State Board of Education (NJDOE) teacher certification standards. The main steps for the traditional path to teacher certification in New Jersey are:

  1. Complete a bachelor’s degree with a state-approved teacher preparation component.
  2. Complete a student teaching placement.
  3. Pass the required teacher certification exams.
  4. Apply for a certificate of eligibility.
  5. Apply for a provisional certificate.
  6. Upgrade your certificate.

Continue reading to learn more about the traditional certification pathway in New Jersey.

Table of Contents


How to Become a Teacher in New Jersey

The following steps outline the traditional pathway to teacher certification in New Jersey. New Jersey, like many states, utilizes a tiered certification system for teachers. The first tier allows prospective teachers to secure a job, the second tier allows them to participate in a Provisional Teacher Process (PTP), a school-based training and evaluation program provided during the initial teaching years, and the third tier allows them to become permanently certified:

  • Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS): For prospective teachers who have completed the educational and experiences to be certified in New Jersey. The CEAS is only designed to authorize the holder to seek employment as a teacher in New Jersey.
  • Provisional Certificate (2-year): Requested by the hiring school district, for newly hired teachers who have a CEAS and are participating in the Provisional Teacher Process (PTP).
  • Standard Certificate (Permanent): For teachers employed by a New Jersey school district who have completed the PTP. Requested by the school district.

If you are a bachelor’s degree holder who has yet to complete a teacher preparation program, check out our guide to alternative teacher certification in New Jersey.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree that includes an approved teacher preparation program.

The first step of the teacher certification process in New Jersey is to earn a bachelor’s degree from a nationally-approved college or university. The major of the bachelor’s degree depends on the student’s desired certification grade and subject area. As part of the bachelor’s degree, students must also complete a teacher preparation program from an approved Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) provider.

You can compare key metrics for state-approved teacher preparation programs on our New Jersey schools page. You can also read about two important accreditations to consider, institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation, on our teaching schools guide.

2. Complete a student teaching placement.

As part of their teacher preparation program, students must also complete a clinical experience, usually through a student teaching placement. Student teachers work with an experienced teacher mentor who provides continuous guidance and direction as well as weekly conferences to assist in professional development. In New Jersey, all student teachers must work in at least two classroom settings at a single school, one of which must be in special education. The assignments must take place over two semesters, one in each classroom.

3. Pass the required New Jersey teacher exams.

New Jersey State SealNew Jersey requires all prospective teachers to meet a basic skills requirement and pass the content knowledge test in their area of certification. The basic skills requirement is met through the Praxis Core Tests and the content knowledge requirement is met through the Praxis Subject Tests. Praxis exams are administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). Candidates can register on the ETS website.

4. Apply for a certificate of eligibility.

Once the above steps are complete, teaching candidates in New Jersey can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS). This certificate authorizes the holder to seek employment as a teacher in New Jersey, but is not an actual teaching certificate. Students must submit an online application through the New Jersey Educator Certification (NJEdCert) system. The following documentation must be submitted with the online application:

  • Clearance from criminal history background check
  • Official transcripts
  • Proof completion of teacher preparation program
  • Passing exam scores
  • Payment of non-refundable certification processing fee

5. Apply for a provisional certificate.

CEAS holders can apply for teaching jobs in the state. Once hired for a teaching position, the teacher’s employer will apply for a Provisional Certificate on their behalf. Once employed, the teacher will complete the Provisional Teacher Process (PTP). This school-based training and evaluation program provides mentorship and training for the first two years of a teacher’s career. Provisional Certificates are valid for two years and can be renewed once. More details on Provisional Certificates can be found on the Step 2: Employment and Provisional Teacher Process (PTP) page of the NJDOE website.

6. Upgrade your certificate.

After completing the PTP, teachers will qualify for a Standard Teaching Certificate. The Standard Teaching Certificate must also be requested by the supervising school district. The Standard Teaching Certificate is a permanent certificate and will be valid for the duration of a teacher’s career in New Jersey.

Guide to Other Teaching Pathways

New Jersey Teacher Certification Renewal

Provisional Certificates are valid for two years and can be renewed twice for a maximum of six years for teachers who have not completed their PTP. Standard Teacher Certificates are considered permanent and do not need to be renewed. However, teachers are expected to continue participating in professional development and personal training to keep their skills current. Information on mandatory and recommended professional development in New Jersey is available on the NJDOE website.

Adding Subjects or Grades to a Certificate

Once certified, teachers are only authorized to teach in the subject and grade level on their certification, though occasional, temporary exceptions are made. Teachers in New Jersey can add an endorsement authorizing them to teach in a new subject area. To add an endorsement, teachers must pass the related Praxis content exam and apply via the NJEdCert system. A complete list of subject areas available in New Jersey is available on the Certifications and Endorsements page of the NJDOE website.

New Jersey Teaching License Reciprocity

Out-of-state teachers can apply for a New Jersey teaching certificate through reciprocity. Teachers with at least two years of teaching within three consecutive years, or those with a National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certificate in the equivalent subject area or grade level, can apply for a Standard Certificate. To apply via reciprocity, out-of-state teachers must submit the following documentation on the online portal:

  • Copy of valid out-of-state certificate
  • Clearance from criminal history background check
  • Official transcripts
  • Proof completion of teacher preparation program
  • Passing exam scores
  • Payment of non-refundable certification processing fee
  • Proof of employment history

Additional details on reciprocity in New Jersey, including the process for out-of-state support staff certificates, can be found on the NJDOE Reciprocity page.

In addition to instructional certificates, New Jersey has certificates for career and technical development (CTE) teachers, administrative roles, and educational services. Such support staff certificates include:

  • Principal Certificate: To become a principal in a pre-K-12 setting in New Jersey, candidates must have a Principal Certificate. To earn a CEAS, the first step in the process, candidates must have a related master’s degree, complete a 300-hour internship, pass the required Praxis content exams, and have at least five years of educational experience with a Provisional or Standard Certificate.
  • School Athletic Trainer Standard Certificate: Allows school trainers to work in a pre-K-12 setting. To obtain the certificate, school trainers must have at least a bachelor’s degree, an athletic trainer license, and passing scores on the required exams established by the State Board of Medical Examiners.
  • School Library Media Specialist Certificate: Must hold a master’s degree in a related field. School Library Media Specialist Certificates follow the same three-step certification process as instructional certificates.

In addition to these certificates, additional administrative certificates for superintendents, business administrators, and supervisors are available. Additionally, New Jersey has numerous certificates for educational services personnel, such as school nurses, school counselors, and reading specialists. A complete list of the certificates available in New Jersey can be found on the NJDOE Certifications and Endorsements page.

New Jersey Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), there were 2,594 operating schools in New Jersey during the 2017-2018 school year.3 Within those schools, there were 115,496 teachers and 1,408,102 students, for an overall student-to-teacher ratio of around 12:1.3

Job projections for teachers in New Jersey are higher than national projections, though not all data is available. Projections for New Jersey preschool teachers are 3.3% compared to 3.4% nationally; for New Jersey kindergarten and special education teachers, 3.3% compared to -0.1% nationally; and for high school teachers, 4.6% compared to 1% nationally.2. The table below provides a detailed comparison of job growth prospects and salary levels for New Jersey teachers.

TypeNumber Employed in NJ4Average Annual Openings in NJ2NJ Proj. Job Growth 2022-20322Average Annual Salary in NJ425th Percentile Wages in NJ575th Percentile Wages in NJ5
Preschool Teachers16,9302,0503.3%$45,750$29,100$59,630
Preschool Teachers, Special Education1,3201003.5%$85,260$61,980$100,580
Kindergarten Teachers5,240——$72,700$59,920$84,380
Elementary School Teachers41,200——$75,150$61,310$93,100
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Special Education11,1608603.3%$73,640$61,010$82,190
Middle School Teachers27,500——$77,260$62,150$94,380
Middle School Teachers, Special Education7,140——$77,500$63,340$94,070
Secondary School Teachers32,9802,4104.6%$79,460$62,390$97,650
Secondary School Teachers, Special Education6,080——$80,360$63,690$96,240
Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education1,7101203.2%$73,780$62,500$78,830

Teacher Shortages in New Jersey

New Jersey is currently facing several teaching shortages. According to the US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Area report for 2023-2024, New Jersey has designated the following deficits:

New Jersey also reported around 200 unfilled teaching positions during the 2022-2023 school year.7 A further 2,937 teachers were considered underqualified for their assignment, which includes teachers assigned to classrooms outside their certification field on a temporary or emergency basis.7

Additional Resources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How do I become a substitute teacher in New Jersey?

Answer: To qualify for a substitute teacher certificate in New Jersey, you must have at least 30 college credits and clear a background check. Candidates must have a sponsor school district to apply, but the certificate may be used at any district. Substitute teachers are limited to 20 instructional days in the same class per school year.

Question: How many private schools are there in New Jersey?

Answer: NCES documented 1,068 private schools in New Jersey during the 2019-2020 school year.8 Within these schools, there were 19,014 full-time teachers and 162,354 students.8 There are currently no statewide requirements for certification for private school teachers in New Jersey, although individual campuses may elect to give preference to certified teachers.

References:
1. New Jersey State Board of Education: https://www.nj.gov/education/
2. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
3. National Center for Education Statistics, State Nonfiscal Public Elementary/Secondary Education Survey Data, 2017-2018: https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/stnfis.asp
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, New Jersey: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nj.htm
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm
6. US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas: https://tsa.ed.gov/#/reports
7. Teacher Shortages in the United States, Tuan D. Nguyen et al.: https://teachershortages.com/
8. National Center for Education Statistics, Private School Universe Survey, 2019-20: https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/tables/TABLE15fl1920.asp