Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Teachers
Certifications and Endorsements
New Jersey requires educator certification for any professional staff member employed in New Jersey public schools or any institution under the supervision of the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), including charter schools, county vocational-technical school districts, special services school districts, NJDOE-approved private schools for students with disabilities, or educational facilities within the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice Commission and the Department of Human Services.
Refer to the Pathways for Career and Technical Education Teachers webpage for teacher certification requirements for approved CTE programs.
Performance Assessment Update
On Friday, December 16, 2022, Governor Phil Murphy signed S896 w/GR into law, which prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring completion of a Commissioner-approved performance-based assessment for certification. Please review the January 18, 2023 broadcast memo for general guidelines of implementation. Candidates currently enrolled in an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) should contact their provider for further information.
The Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) is issued to an individual who has completed a teacher preparation program and met requirements for certification, including academic study and applicable test requirements. The Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) authorizes an individual to seek and accept employment in New Jersey public schools requiring certification.
An individual who does not hold a New Jersey Standard certificate or completed two years of full-time teaching under a valid out-of-state instructional certificate can apply for a CEAS.
The Certificate of Eligibility (CE) is issued to an individual who has not completed a teacher preparation program but meets the basic requirements for certification, including academic study and applicable test requirements. The CE authorizes an individual to seek and accept employment in New Jersey public schools requiring certification.
This certificate is requested by a school district for a newly hired teacher after the teacher obtains a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS). A candidate cannot apply for this certificate. Provisional certificates are valid for up to two years expiring July 31 of the second year and may be renewed one time.
Novice teachers with a provisional certificate participate in the Provisional Teacher Process (PTP).
The standard certificate is a permanent certificate issued to an individual who has completed the Provisional Teacher Process, holds a previously issued New Jersey instructional certificate, or meets reciprocity requirements for standard certification.
A five-year pilot program for the issuance of an instructional Limited Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or a Limited Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) for candidates who meet the requirements.
Alternate Route
Certificate of Eligibility (CE)
Step 1
Establishing Eligibility — Certificate of Eligibility (CE)
Step 2
Employment and Provisional Teacher Process (PTP) — Provisional Certificate
Step 3
Becoming Permanently Certified — Standard Teaching Certificate