Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Service Limits for Substitutes
Statute and Code References
| Credential or Certificate | Statute or Code Reference |
|---|---|
| Substitute Credential | N.J.S.A. 18A:16-1.1a |
| Standard certificate in subject area of classroom where substitute is placed | N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.3(c) |
| Standard certificate not in subject area of classroom where substitute is placed | N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.3(b) |
| Career and Technical Education Substitute Credential | N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.3(b)2 |
| CE or CEAS in subject area of classroom where substitute is placed | N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.3(c) |
| CE or CEAS not in subject area of classroom where substitute is placed | N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.3(b) |
| Administrative or Educational Services Certificate | N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.3(a) |
Substitute Credential
Under N.J.S.A. 18A:16-1.1a (Filling of vacant teaching position; time limit), a vacant teaching position shall not be filled in any school year by one or more individuals holding a substitute credential issued by the State Board of Education pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.18A:6-38 for a total amount of time exceeding 20 school days. The commissioner may grant an extension of up to an additional 20 school days upon written application from the school district demonstrating the district's inability to hire an appropriately certified teacher for the vacant position within the original 20-day time limit.
District Processes for Extension
For all substitutes, the district must notify the Executive County Superintendent if the teacher substitutes in the same classroom for more than the initial service limit indicated in column 2. Districts must complete the Substitute Teacher Service Limit Extension Form to extend the service of a substitute holding any of the following:
- Substitute credential
- Certificate of Eligibility (CE)
- Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS)
- Standard certificate
| Credential or Certificate | Initial Service Limit (instructional days) |
Maximum Extension to Service Limit (instructional days) |
|---|---|---|
| Substitute Credential | 20 | 40 |
| Standard certificate in subject area of classroom where substitute is placed | 60 | One academic year |
| Standard certificate not in subject area of classroom where substitute is placed | 20 | 40 |
| Career and Technical Education Substitute Credential | 20 | 40 |
| CE or CEAS in subject area of classroom where substitute is placed 1 | 60 | One academic year |
| CE or CEAS not in subject area of classroom where substitute is placed | 20 | 40 |
| Administrative or Educational Services Certificate | 20 | n/a |
1 If the substitute holds a CE or CEAS in the subject area of the classroom where they are placed, the substitute must:
- Hold a provisional certificate
- Be enrolled in or have completed a mentoring program
- Be enrolled in or have completed a CE or CEAS educator preparation program