New Jersey Teaching Certification
New Jersey teaching certification requires a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.00 GPA, a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS), and a passing score on the Praxis Subject Test for your certification area before applying through the NJEdCert portal. As of January 2025, most candidates no longer take a separate Basic Skills test, and New Jersey eliminated its edTPA requirement back in 2022.
Sponsored School(s)
Learn how to become a teacher in New Jersey (or an administrator). Choose the description of certification you’re most interested in, or the situation that best describes you:
- Initial Teaching Certification…
- I’m a teacher from another state…
- Teacher Certification Renewal…
- Admin./Principal Certification…
- Alternative Teaching Certification…
- Substitute Teaching Permit…
Getting Involved
Investing in education funding is important, and New Jersey’s level of commitment shows up directly in classroom resources and teacher support. See how New Jersey measures up to the rest of the country by viewing the percentage of state revenue going toward education in each state (see State Education Spending vs. Overall State Revenue).
Initial New Jersey Teaching Certification
New Jersey ranks among the highest-paying states for public school teachers. As of May 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that New Jersey elementary school teachers earned a median annual salary of $78,200, well above the $63,970 national median for the same role. Middle school teachers in the state earned a median of $78,770, and secondary school teachers earned a median of $82,200. Job growth adds to the appeal: New Jersey projects 5.5% to 5.8% growth across kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary teaching positions through 2034, bucking a national trend that shows slight declines in these same roles.
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage | NJ Job Growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $74,210 | +5.6% |
| Elementary School Teachers | $78,200 | +5.5% |
| Middle School Teachers | $78,770 | +5.5% |
| Secondary School Teachers | $82,200 | +5.8% |
See the full breakdown of New Jersey teacher salaries and benefits, including health insurance and retirement.
Education Requirements
The State of New Jersey Department of Education’s Office of Certification and Credentials (877-900-6960) expects that as a candidate for teacher certification, you hold at least a bachelor’s degree earned from a teacher preparation program within a New Jersey college or university or from any regionally accredited college or university. You must also maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 (or 2.75 if you graduated before September 1, 2016). If your GPA falls between 2.75 and 2.99, you can still qualify by exceeding your required Praxis passing score by 10%. If your GPA is 3.50 or higher, the state accepts a passing score up to 5% below the standard threshold. Certain endorsements require additional coursework, as follows:
- Elementary school endorsement – you must complete a liberal arts, science, dual content or interdisciplinary academic major, or at least 60 semester hours in liberal arts/science
- Subject area endorsement – you must complete at least 30 semester hours in courses in your instructional area, with at least 12 semester hours at the advanced/graduate level
Did you graduate from a foreign college or university? The State of New Jersey Department of Education may still accept your credits. Your credits must be evaluated by a credentials evaluation agency. The Department doesn’t recommend a specific evaluation agency, but rather suggests you locate one independently. The findings of this evaluation must be sent to the Department once completed. More information may be found here.
Certificate Options
New Jersey has a three-step certification process for new teachers:
- Establish eligibility
- Certificate of Eligibility (CE) – Issued if you have completed an academic degree program and meet all examination requirements for certification. Valid for your lifetime, the CE allows you to seek and accept positions requiring certification.
- Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) – Issued if you have completed a professional teacher preparation program, have a degree, and pass the necessary examinations. Valid for your lifetime, the CEAS also allows you to seek and accept positions requiring certification.
- Legalizing employment/induction
- Provisional Certificate – Issued if you hold a CE or CEAS and are employed in a New Jersey school in which you are also enrolled in an induction/residency program. Valid for two years.
- Permanent/standard certification
- Standard Certificate – Issued when you meet all certification requirements, including education, examination, experience, and residency/induction period.
Click here for a listing of all teaching certification endorsements, codes, and requirements.
Examinations
For a brief overview of New Jersey’s teacher testing requirements, visit the Praxis website.
Basic skills testing:
New Jersey eliminated the Basic Skills test requirement for most instructional certificates effective January 1, 2025, under A1669/P.L.2024, c.26. The exception is the limited Certificate of Eligibility (CE) and limited Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS), which still require passing scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exams (Reading: 156, Math: 150, Writing: 162).
If you’re applying based on out-of-state teaching experience or reciprocity, you’ll also need to meet a physiology and hygiene requirement, which you can satisfy with evidence of basic military training, a college course in biology, health, or nutrition, or an online test.
Content area assessment testing:
Prospective teachers in New Jersey must pass the Praxis Subject Test applicable to their intended certification area. New Jersey eliminated its edTPA performance-assessment requirement in December 2022. Educator preparation programs now choose and administer their own performance-based assessment for program completers rather than a state-mandated test. Passing scores vary based on your GPA. Click here for more details. Certification areas for which examinations are offered include:
- Preschool-Grade 3
- Elementary K-5
- Elementary School with Subject Matter Preparation:
- Language Arts Literacy (Grades 5-8)
- Mathematics (Grades 5-8)
- Science (Grades 5-8)
- Social Studies (Grades 5-8)
- Secondary Education:
- Science, Biology
- Science, Chemistry
- Science, Earth Science
- Science, Physical Science
- Science, Physics
- Social Studies
- Speech Arts and Dramatics
- Theatre
- All Grades:
- Art
- English
- Health & Physical Education
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physical Education
- Reading
- World Languages:
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Career and Technical Education:
- Business Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Industrial Technology
- Marketing Education
- Technology Education
- Career and Technical Education
Experience Requirements
During your teacher preparation program, the practical aspects of teaching are stressed in college coursework, as much as is theory and general knowledge. You’ll enroll in a practicum as part of education classes, which will mainly involve the observation of teaching in practice, as well as a bit of participation on your part, as you may have the opportunity to engage the class and lead lessons under the supervision of the host teacher.
After the completion of the academic component of your teacher preparation program, you’ll engage in a student teaching assignment, in which you’ll take over teaching responsibilities in a classroom tailored to your intended area of certification and grade level. You’ll learn and use classroom management skills and teaching strategies, assess the behavior of students as necessary, and work with students in both group and independent activities. Your performance will be evaluated by the regular classroom teacher and by an official from your teacher preparation program.
Document and Application Requirements
Once you’ve met all of the above requirements, you may apply for New Jersey teacher certification through the NJEdCert portal, which has replaced the former Teacher Certification Information System (TCIS). You must pay all application fees online by credit card. Make sure to attach all of the following items to your online application, or mail them to the Department:
- Program Verification Form (if you attended an out-of-state teacher preparation program)
- Official college transcripts showing conferral of a degree and your GPA
- Credential evaluation (if you attended school in a foreign country)
- Verification of employment (if necessary)
- Signed and notarized Oath of Office/Verification of Accuracy form
- Have Praxis score reports sent to the Department
Mail the above supporting documentation to the State of New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Licensure & Credentials, P.O. Box 500, Trenton, NJ 08625-0500.
You may check the status of your submitted application anytime by logging into your NJEdCert account.
Criminal History Background Check
Although you don’t have to submit to a criminal history background check as part of the New Jersey teacher certification process, you’ll have to undergo this check before any New Jersey school will hire you. You’ll be given instructions on the process when you apply for a position, and then you’ll initiate the process here.
Your fingerprints will be run through both the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Results will be reported to the Department of Education, which will then notify the school district with which you’re pursuing employment.
Contact Information
Request more information from New Jersey teacher preparation programs by contacting them directly.
For more information on teacher certification in New Jersey, contact the Office of Licensure & Credentials at 609-292-2070.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to become a certified teacher in New Jersey?
You need at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 (2.75 if you graduated before September 1, 2016). If your GPA is 2.75-2.99, you can still qualify with a higher Praxis passing score. Elementary endorsements require a liberal arts, science, or interdisciplinary major (or 60 semester hours in liberal arts/science), while subject-area endorsements require at least 30 semester hours in your instructional area.
Do I still need to pass the Basic Skills test in New Jersey?
Most candidates no longer do. New Jersey eliminated the Basic Skills test requirement for most instructional certificates effective January 1, 2025. The limited Certificate of Eligibility and limited Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing still require it.
What exams does New Jersey require for teacher certification?
Candidates must pass the Praxis Subject Test for their certification area. New Jersey eliminated its edTPA performance-assessment requirement in December 2022, so your educator preparation program now chooses its own performance assessment instead of a state-mandated test. If you’re applying through reciprocity or out-of-state experience, you’ll also need to meet a physiology and hygiene requirement.
How do I apply for New Jersey teacher certification?
Apply through the NJEdCert portal, which replaced the former Teacher Certification Information System (TCIS). You’ll submit transcripts, Praxis score reports, and other required documents through your online account and pay the application fee by credit card.
Can I get certified in New Jersey if I’m already licensed in another state?
Yes. New Jersey offers reciprocity for out-of-state teachers who meet its certification requirements. Visit our New Jersey teacher reciprocity guide for the specific steps.
- Bachelor’s degree required. A regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with a 3.00 GPA minimum (2.75 if you graduated before September 1, 2016).
- Basic Skills test eliminated for most candidates. As of January 1, 2025, only limited CE and limited CEAS applicants still need it.
- Praxis Subject Test is required; edTPA is not. New Jersey eliminated its edTPA requirement in December 2022. Your educator preparation program now chooses its own performance assessment.
- Apply through NJEdCert. The current online portal is replacing the retired TCIS system.
- Strong job outlook. New Jersey projects 5.5% to 5.8% job growth across K-12 teaching roles through 2034, ahead of the national trend.
Select your state below to find accredited teacher certification programs, application links, and licensing requirements for your jurisdiction.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
