Three ways to obtain a CE:

1. Bachelor’s Degree
   • A bachelor’s degree in the field, or at least 30 credits in a coherent sequence of courses in the subject area. A coherent sequence requires that at least 12 credits are completed at the advanced level of study (junior, senior or graduate level). 
   • New Jersey requires candidates for certification achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A grade for students graduating on or after September 1, 2016.
2. Associate Degree and Industry Experience
   • An associate degree in the field and a minimum of two years of industry experience directly related to the instructional program. For equivalency purposes, two years of full-time occupational experience will be equivalent to 4,000 hours of employment.
   • New Jersey requires candidates for certification achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A grade for students graduating on or after September 1, 2016.
3. Employment Experience (choose one)
   • Industry Experience
     A minimum of four years of industry experience directly related to the instructional program. For equivalency purposes, four years of full-time occupational experience will be equivalent to 8,000 hours of employment. A maximum of three years of teaching experience within a similar instructional program, such as at a private career school, can count toward the four years of occupational experience.
   • Self-Employment Experience
     A notarized letter from a tax preparer and/or an attorney verifying the following:
     1. The candidate has filed state and/or federal taxes for the self-employment using a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) that is appropriate for the endorsement.
     2. The candidate's self-employment experience meets the minimum of four years of employment experience, which will be equivalent to 8,000 hours of employment. 
   • Military Experience
     A Military Discharge certificate (DD-214) and a Verification of Military Experience and Training (DD-2586) indicating military qualifications and occupational training received can be used to determine the extent of credit to be applied toward certification in the occupational area.

1. 1. Physiology and Hygiene Requirement
      This requirement may be completed by choosing one of the following options:
      1. Present evidence of basic military training.
      2. Complete a course such as biology, health or nutrition that appears on an accredited two or four-year college or university transcript.
      3. Complete an online test. You must have a tracking number and an application on file to take this test.
   2. State-Issued Occupational License, Certificate or Registration Requirement
      1. Certain CTE programs of study are co-regulated by other state agencies and must be taught by professionals holding current New Jersey licenses issued by other state agencies, industry credentialing bodies or other external groups.
      2. A copy of the current professional license is required for some certifications. For example, candidates to teach cosmetology must have a valid license from the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling.

After submitting the appropriate documentation, qualified candidates will receive a CTE Certificate of Eligibility (CE) in a specific area of CTE instruction.   

After receiving a CTE Certificate of Eligibility from the NJDOE, candidates are now eligible to be hired by a school district to teach a CTE program of study approved by NJDOE and as identified in the endorsement. Once hired by a school district, the individual holding a CE becomes a "provisional teacher." 

Provisional CTE teachers must participate in a two-year CTE Teacher Preparation Program. CTE Teacher Preparation Programs provide a coherent sequence of study in professional education and culminate in supervised clinical practice. Upon completion of this requirement, the candidate will receive Verification of Program Completion. 

CTE Teacher Preparation Programs in New Jersey:

• Brookdale Community College
• William Paterson University

• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of English language and mathematics by meeting one of the following:
  
  1. Pass a Commissioner-approved assessment of basic skills. Currently, the only approved assessment is the Praxis Core Academic Skills with passing scores as follows: Reading: 156, Math: 150, Writing: 162; or
  2. Demonstrate a score on the SAT, ACT, or GRE at or above the cut score for the year in which the exam was taken (see cut scores below).
  3. Hold an occupational license or certification or industry certificate or registration; or
  4. Complete a portfolio of work products through an approved educator preparation program, as approved by the employing school district’s superintendent, or the superintendent’s designee; or
  5. Holding a master’s or terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• At the conclusion of the two-year Provisional Teacher Program, the school district may or may not recommend the provisional teacher for a "standard certificate." If recommended by the school district, the NJDOE will issue a permanent standard certificate to the recommended provisional teacher. 
• Individuals holding a standard CTE certificate are eligible to teach NJDOE-approved CTE programs of study in the area of their certificate endorsement.