Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Reading Specialist Standard Certificate
Endorsement Code: 3310
The reading specialist endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a reading specialist in preschool through grade 12. A reading specialist conducts in-service training of teachers and administrators; coordinates instruction for students or groups of students having difficulty learning to read; diagnoses the nature and cause of a student’s difficulty in learning to read; plans developmental programs in reading for all students; recommends methods and materials to be used in the school district reading program; and contributes to the collection of standardized data as a means of determining and monitoring the reading achievement of students.
A candidate applying for the Reading Specialist standard certificate on or before August 31, 2025, must complete the following requirements:
Degree Requirement
Hold a master’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university.
Teaching Experience Requirement
Two years of successful, full-time teaching experience.
Coursework Requirement
A minimum of 30 graduate semester-hour credits in the following:
- Reading foundations
- Diagnosis of reading problems
- Correction of reading problems
- Supervised practicum in reading
- Study in at least three of the following areas:
- Children’s or adolescent literature
- Measurement
- Organization of reading programs
- Psychology
- Staff supervision
- Linguistics
- Special education
- Research
- Foundations of education
A candidate applying for the Reading Specialist Standard certificate on or after September 1, 2025, must complete requirements for one of the following options:
Option 1
Degree Requirement
Hold a master’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university.
Teaching Experience Requirement
Three years of successful, full-time teaching experience.
Coursework Requirement
A minimum of 30 graduate semester-hour credits in the following:
- Advanced study of reading and structured literacy, including phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print;
- Diagnosis and correction of reading problems, including a supervised clinical experience of at least 30 hours;
- Supervised clinical internship in reading that focuses on the implementation of schoolwide literacy leadership, coaching/professional development, and the diagnosis, planning, and correction of reading problems in a supplemental/in-class setting;
- Advanced study of children’s or adolescent literature with a focus on integration of diverse, multilingual, and/or multicultural text;
- Organization of reading programs and professional development strategies to improve the teaching of literacy;
- Strategies for remediation of writing for learners;
- Advanced study of integrating literacy strategies across content areas;
- Remediation and foundational reading strategies for adolescent readers;
- Advanced study of literacy strategies for supporting students with varying abilities and multilingual learners.
Option 2
Degree Requirement
Hold a master’s or higher degree in literacy, reading, or another related field from an accredited college or university.
Coursework Requirement
A minimum of 30 graduate semester-hour credits in the following:
- Advanced study of reading and structured literacy, including phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print;
- Diagnosis and correction of reading problems, including a supervised clinical experience of at least 30 hours;
- Supervised clinical internship in reading that focuses on the implementation of schoolwide literacy leadership, coaching/professional development, and the diagnosis, planning, and correction of reading problems in a supplemental/in-class setting;
- Advanced study of children’s or adolescent literature with a focus on integration of diverse, multilingual, and/or multicultural text;
- Organization of reading programs and professional development strategies to improve the teaching of literacy;
- Strategies for remediation of writing for learners;
- Advanced study of integrating literacy strategies across content areas;
- Remediation and foundational reading strategies for adolescent readers;
- Advanced study of literacy strategies for supporting students with varying abilities and multilingual learners.
Reading Specialist Emergency Certificate A candidate applying for the Reading Specialist emergency certificate on or before August 31, 2025, must complete the following requirements:
Degree Requirement
Hold a master’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university.
Teaching Experience Requirement
Two years of successful, full-time teaching experience.
Coursework Requirement
A minimum of 12 graduate semester-hour credits in any of the following:
- Reading foundations
- Diagnosis of reading problems
- Correction of reading problems
- Supervised practicum in reading
- Children’s or adolescent literature
- Measurement
- Organization of reading programs
- Psychology
- Staff supervision
- Linguistics
- Special education
- Research
- Foundations of education
A candidate applying for the Reading Specialist emergency certificate on or after September 1, 2025, must complete the following requirements:
Degree Requirement
Hold a master’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university.
Teaching Experience Requirement
Three years of successful, full-time teaching experience.
Coursework Requirement
A minimum of 12 graduate semester-hour credits in any of the following:
- Advanced study of reading and structured literacy, including phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print;
- Diagnosis and correction of reading problems, including a supervised clinical experience of at least 30 hours;
- Supervised clinical internship in reading that focuses on the implementation of schoolwide literacy leadership, coaching/professional development, and the diagnosis, planning, and correction of reading problems in a supplemental/in-class setting;
- Advanced study of children’s or adolescent literature with a focus on integration of diverse, multilingual, and/or multicultural text;
- Organization of reading programs and professional development strategies to improve the teaching of literacy;
- Strategies for remediation of writing for learners;
- Advanced study of integrating literacy strategies across content areas;
- Remediation and foundational reading strategies for adolescent readers;
- Advanced study of literacy strategies for supporting students with varying abilities and multilingual learners.
Proof of enrollment in continuing education to meet the remaining requirements for standard certification