Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Reading Specialist Standard Certificate

Endorsement Code: 3310

Note: Requirements, passing test scores, and fees are subject to change without notice.

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:

  1. Reading foundations
  2. Diagnosis of reading problems
  3. Correction of reading problems
  4. Supervised practicum in reading
  5. 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 Department-approved graduate-degree program in reading with a program of study that consists of the following topics or a program of graduate studies of 30 semester-hour credits consisting of the following topics:

  1. Advanced study of reading and structured literacy, including phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print;
  2. Diagnosis and correction of reading problems, including a supervised clinical experience of at least 30 hours;
  3. 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;
  4. Advanced study of children’s or adolescent literature with a focus on integration of diverse, multilingual, and/or multicultural text;
  5. Organization of reading programs and professional development strategies to improve the teaching of literacy;
  6. Strategies for remediation of writing for learners;
  7. Advanced study of integrating literacy strategies across content areas;
  8. Remediation and foundational reading strategies for adolescent readers;
  9. 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.

Teaching Experience Requirement

Three years of successful, full-time teaching experience.

Coursework Requirement

Complete graduate courses in the following:

  1. Advanced study of reading and structured literacy, including phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print;
  2. Diagnosis and correction of reading problems, including a supervised clinical experience of at least 30 hours;
  3. 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;
  4. Advanced study of children’s or adolescent literature with a focus on integration of diverse, multilingual, and/or multicultural text;
  5. Organization of reading programs and professional development strategies to improve the teaching of literacy;
  6. Strategies for remediation of writing for learners;
  7. Advanced study of integrating literacy strategies across content areas;
  8. Remediation and foundational reading strategies for adolescent readers;
  9. 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:

  1. Reading foundations
  2. Diagnosis of reading problems
  3. Correction of reading problems
  4. Supervised practicum in reading
  5. Children’s or adolescent literature
  6. Measurement
  7. Organization of reading programs
  8. Psychology
  9. Staff supervision
  10. Linguistics
  11. Special education
  12. Research
  13. 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:

  1. Advanced study of reading and structured literacy, including phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print;
  2. Diagnosis and correction of reading problems, including a supervised clinical experience of at least 30 hours;
  3. 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;
  4. Advanced study of children’s or adolescent literature with a focus on integration of diverse, multilingual, and/or multicultural text;
  5. Organization of reading programs and professional development strategies to improve the teaching of literacy;
  6. Strategies for remediation of writing for learners;
  7. Advanced study of integrating literacy strategies across content areas;
  8. Remediation and foundational reading strategies for adolescent readers;
  9. 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