New Jersey's Three-Step Process to Certification

NEW JERSEY'S THREE-STEP PROCESS TO CERTIFICATION

STEP 1: Establishing Eligibility (Requirements for Initial Employment) – Certificate of Eligibility and Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing

Certificate of Eligibility (CE): a credential with lifetime validity issued to persons who have completed a degree program of academic study, the applicable test requirements for certification, and the physiology and hygiene coursework or test requirement. The CE permits the applicant to seek and accept employment in positions requiring certification.

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Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS): a credential with lifetime validity issued to persons who have completed a degree program of academic study, the applicable test requirements and traditional professional preparation programs for certification, which usually includes a student teaching component. The CEAS permits the applicant to seek and accept employment in positions requiring certification.
NOTE: Please refer to New Jersey Licensing Code N..J.A.C. 6A:9 for specific eligibility requirements for each endorsement. For example:

A candidate is issued a School Business Administrator CE if the degree and/or study requirements are met.
A candidate is issued a Substance Awareness Coordinator CE if the degree requirement is met. A candidate is issued a Substance Awareness Coordinator CEAS if the degree and study requirements are met.
A candidate is issued an instructional vocational education CE if he/she presents either a baccalaureate degree in the appropriate occupation or four (4) years of full-time work experience in the appropriate trade of occupation.

STEP 2: Legalizing Employment and Induction – Provisional Certificate

Provisional Certificate: a two-year certificate issued to candidates who have met the requirements for initial employment (holder of a CE or CEAS), and are employed, and are enrolled as part of a state-approved district training program or residency leading to standard certification.

STEP 3: Becoming Permanently Certified – Standard Certification

Standard Certificate: a permanent certificate issued to persons who have met all certification requirements.
Requirements for a Standard Instructional Certificate:

a) Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
b) A baccalaureate degree, post-baccalaureate program or advanced degree conferred either:

before September 1, 2004 with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50, when a 4.0 equals an A grade; OR
on or after September 1, 2004 with a GPA of at least 2.75;
Flexibility Rule: a GPA below 2.75, but at least 2.50 when a GPA of 4.0 equals an A grade, is acceptable if the candidate’s score on the appropriate State test of subject matter knowledge exceeds the passing score by 10 percent or more; or
a GPA that is 3.50 or higher, when a GPA of 4.0 equals an A grade if the candidate’s score on the appropriate State test of subject matter knowledge falls below the passing score by no more than five percent. (See Test and GPA Flexibility Rule )

c) Passing score in Praxis II/NTE Programs Specialty Area test(s) for secondary teaching; or the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for elementary teachers. See information on Testing Requirements for details and for exceptions.

d) Completion of a major in the liberal arts or sciences for elementary education. Completion of a major in the subject teaching field for an initial endorsement in a subject teaching field, except for vocational industrial certification. For additional endorsements, completion of at least 30 semester hours in a coherent major in the subject teaching field, with at least 12 of the 30 credits in upper level courses.

e) Applicants applying for instructional certification must pass an examination in physiology and hygiene, including the effects of narcotics and alcohol. The examination is administered at the county offices of education. In lieu of this examination, the applicant may present basic military training or college level study in areas such as biology, health or nutrition.

f) Successful completion of one of the following:

the Provisional Teacher Program (induction/mentoring for alternate route or traditionally prepared first-year teachers); or
a state approved college teacher preparation program and one year of full time teaching under a valid state license

It is strongly advised that all applicants become thoroughly familiar with the information provided in the New Jersey Licensing Code, which outlines the specific requirements for each certification and endorsement.