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Earn your New Jersey Teacher Certification!

Learn everything you need to know about New Jersey Teacher Certification.

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New Jersey Teacher Certification Requirements

To become a teacher in New Jersey, you must complete the follow steps:

Meet Education Requirements

  • Candidates for teaching certification in New Jersey must first earn a bachelor’s degree.
  • Middle school, high school, and career/technical education teachers should pursue a degree, or specialization, in their desired teaching subject.

Education Preparation Program

  • Aspiring classroom teachers must also complete a NJDOE-approved educator preparation program, including field experience.
  • This combination of academic and career training prepares candidates to meet the core and subject-specific teaching requirements of the Praxis exams.

Student-Teaching Requirements

  • Student-teaching will be a required component of your Educator Preparation Program
  • The NJDOE requires at least 50 hours of clinical experience in at least two school settings before you can apply for certification.

Pass Required Exams

  • New Jersey certification exams include a basic skills requirement, which is met by passing the Praxis Core Academic Skills assessment.
  • All certification candidates must also pass the Praxis II content area test that aligns with their intended subject area.

Apply for Certification

  • A paper Verification of Program Completion form, signed by the dean or program administrator of your Educator Preparation Program is required.
  • You also must submit an original Record of Professional Experience form signed by an official from the school district in which you completed your full-time clinical experience.

Apply for Teaching Jobs

  • Once you have your teacher certification you can now start applying for jobs.
  • You can use job boards and search engines like Google to find open teacher positions in your area.

How to Register For the Exams?

You can follow the following steps to register for your teacher certification exams:

  • Identify Your Exams: Determine the specific teacher certification exams you need to take. If you are a part of a certification program you should talk to your program advisor to determine which exams you need to take.
  • Create an Account: Visit the official testing service website and create an account.
  • Select Exam and Date: Login, choose your exam, and select a convenient test date and location.
  • Complete Registration: Follow instructions, provide necessary information, and pay exam fees online.

How To Study for Your Teacher Certification Exam(s)

To become a certified teacher you must pass your required exam(s). Luckily, we offer a wide variety of study guides to help you pass your exams and get closer to getting that teacher certificate. Our study guides offer practice questions, video lessons, quizzes and full length practice tests to ensure you are ready come test day! Our curriculum team studies all of the standards and competencies for the exams and cross-references them with the current and previous questions released by the official testing company. We then work with content and teaching experts to distill down what test-takers need to know. No matter where you are in the study guide, you can always see how the concept you are learning is aligned to the test standards.

How Do I Maintain Teaching Certification in New Jersey?

A standard teaching certificate in New Jersey is considered permanent and does not need to be renewed; however, the NJDOE requires teachers to undergo 20 hours of professional development (PD) each year to maintain certification.

Best Education Schools in New Jersey

  • Rutgers University–New Brunswick
  • Montclair State University
  • Rowan University
  • Seton Hall University
  • Monmouth University
  • Saint Elizabeth University
  • New Jersey City University

New Jersey Teacher Salary Information

The average Public School Teacher salary in New Jersey is $63,778 as of February 26, 2024, but the range typically falls between $53,253 and $77,794.

Take the Next Step Towards Your New Jersey Teacher Certification!

More New Jersey Teacher Certification Resources

Praxis Articles

Praxis® – Questions Quick Guide https://www.240tutoring.com/praxis-prep/praxis-questions-quick-guide/

The following article will discuss the structure of Praxis® Core exams and subject assessments.

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What You Must Know About Preparing For The Praxis® https://www.240tutoring.com/praxis-prep/what-you-must-know-about-preparing-for-the-praxis/

We’ll discuss how hard it is to pass the Praxis®, we’ll help you figure out how much you should study, and finally we’ll recommend study guides and free resources to improve your score.

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Do You Know Which Praxis® Exams You Need to Take? https://www.240tutoring.com/praxis-prep/do-you-know-which-praxis-exams-you-need-to-take/

In this article, we will tell you who needs to take the Praxis® test. We will also break down the different types of tests and sort out which one to choose.

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Everything You Need To Know About Praxis® Scores https://www.240tutoring.com/praxis-prep/everything-you-need-to-know-about-praxis-scores/

In this article we will discuss what score you need to pass a Praxis® test, how long it takes to get scores, and how to interpret your score report.

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Your Praxis® Costs & Retakes Quick Guide https://www.240tutoring.com/praxis-prep/your-praxis-costs-retakes-quick-guide/

First, we’ll talk about the cost of a Praxis® test. Then we’ll discuss the number of attempts you’re allowed on the Praxis® and what happens if you fail. Finally, we’ll cover the other costs associated with taking the tests.

Know More

How To Register For A Praxis® Exam https://www.240tutoring.com/praxis-prep/how-to-register-for-a-praxis-exam/

This article answers your questions about registering for a Praxis® exam.

Know More

What is the Praxis®️ Test https://www.240tutoring.com/resources/what-is-the-praxis-test/

Dive deeper into what the Praxis test is, how to prepare for it, and what to expect come test day.

Know More

50,000 Teachers passed their exam last year with the help of 240!

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New Jersey Teacher Certification FAQs

How many years does it take to become a teacher in NJ?

5 years. Graduates of a four-year bachelor’s degree program and an NJDOE-approved educator training program lasting approximately 12 months qualify for a provisional certificate to start accumulating classroom teaching experience at a public school.

How do I become a teacher without a teaching degree in NJ?

See the state’s alternate routes, including a Certificate of Eligibility, here.

Is it hard to get a teaching job in New Jersey?

While there is a teaching shortage in New Jersey, certain positions remain competitive, especially those in better-paying school districts.

Is there a teacher shortage in NJ?

There is much talk about New Jersey’s teacher shortage and, indeed, there is cause for concern. Currently the state has 2,000 teachers less than it did pre-pandemic: In the school year 2019-2020, New Jersey had 98,000 full-time K-12 educators but in 2024 it has only 96,000.

Is New Jersey a good state for teachers?

New Jersey was 2023’s 9th best state for teachers, according to a study done by WalletHub.

Not sure what to study, or if you are going to pass? We can help!

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