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Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 9: A One-Stop Reference To Policies, Regulations And Implementation - Updated 11/21/16
In order to help speed the processing of an application, an applicant should review the following answers to questions that often arise.
1) How do I contact a Licensing Customer Service Representative?
2) Where should I send my application materials and fees?
3) How long will it take for my application to be reviewed?
4) What is a complete application?
5) How do I pay and what are the fees?
6) Does the Department of Education offer refunds?
7) How can I check the status of my application?
8) How do I know what type of instructional certificate I should apply for?
9) How do I find out the requirements for the certificate(s) I want?
10) Where can I get information about test requirements?
11) What is the required Grade Point Average (GPA) for New Jersey certification?
12) Where can I take the courses that are required for licensure?
13) What should I do if I am offered a job before I receive my license?
14) How do I request a name change?
15) Does New Jersey have licensing reciprocity with other states?
16) I have an out of state teaching certificate. How do I obtain my New Jersey teaching certificate?
17) I have a foreign teaching certificate. How do I obtain my New Jersey teaching certificate?
18) On my application I checked the box indicating that I had been convicted of a crime. What happens now?
19) How do I register or obtain additional information or a status report on an active case for the Principal Residency Program, School Administrator Residency Program, Substance Awareness Coordinator Residency Program, School Business Administrators, Librarian, or Media Specialist?
20) Where can I obtain additional information about…?
21) I have an out-of-state principal's certificate. How do I obtain my New Jersey principal's certificate?
22) I have an out-of-state school administrator certificate. How do I obtain my New Jersey school administrator certificate?
23) My application for certification had been denied. What can I do now?
24) How do I change my address with the Office of Licensure and Credentials?
25) How do I obtain veteran status?
1) How do I contact a Licensing Customer Service Representative?
Customer Service is available to the public during the hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (except major holidays). The Customer Service telephone number is (609) 292-2070.
2) Where should I send my application materials and fees?
Please send all documents, and correspondence concerning your application to:
Office of Certification and Induction
New Jersey Department of Education
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
Items not sent to our office at this exact address will take much longer to be received and processed.
3) How long will it take for my application to be reviewed?
For traditional route applications submitted from an approved New Jersey college program, the average processing time is approximately two weeks from the date we receive a recommendation from the college certification office.
For individual applications that have been properly completed, the average processing time varies during the year. The summer months are our busiest times due to the high volume of applications we receive during that period.
4) What is a complete application?
Please Note: This department cannot process an incomplete application. Your application is considered complete when ALL necessary documentation is received. The NJDOE cannot be responsible for delays that result from incomplete submissions or paperwork that is not received.
a) A completed application for a citizen of the United States must include the following:
- A Web application;
- Official college transcripts noting degree conferral date and GPA. Please submit all official transcripts that contain course information relevant to your certification area of interest in sealed envelopes;
- Applicable test scores for Praxis II Content Knowledge test(s);
- Applicable test scores in oral proficiency for World Language, ESL and Bilingual endorsements; and
- A Verification of Program Completion (if applicable).
b) A completed application for a non-citizen of the United States must include the following:
- A Web application;
- An original foreign credential evaluation from a reputable agency for all coursework completed outside the United States. The documentation should state the degree equivalency from a regionally accredited four-year college program completed within the United States; semester-hour equivalents of each area of college-level study in a course-by-course format, and the cumulative baccalaureate and advanced degree GPAs;
- Applicable test scores for Praxis II Content Knowledge test(s); and
- Applicable test scores in oral proficiency for World Language, ESL and Bilingual endorsements.
c) A completed application for an out-of-state applicant must include the following:
- A Web application;
- Official college transcripts noting degree conferral date and GPA. Please submit all official transcripts containing course information relevant to your area of interest in sealed envelopes;
- Applicable test scores for Praxis II Content Knowledge test(s);
- Applicable test scores in oral proficiency for World Language, ESL and Bilingual endorsements;
- A Verification of Program Completion (if applicable);
- Copies of out-of-state licenses (if applicable); and
- A completed Record of Professional Experience Form found here.
See this link for all forms:http://www.nj.gov/education/educators/license/forms.htm
You can begin your online application at:http://www.nj.gov/education/educators/license/tcis/.
NOTE: To speed processing time for all applications, bundle all documentation into one package.
5) How do I pay and what are the fees?
Please make the payment online at http://www.nj.gov/education/educators/license/epay.htm
The Fee Schedule is available for your convenience.
6) Does the Department of Education offer refunds?
Regulations do not allow us to offer refunds. All applications receive the attention of an examiner during the application review. The fee covers the costs for time expended in providing a thorough review of documentation for your case, whether or not a certificate is issued.
7) How can I check the status of my application?
You may check the status of your application by visiting:
https://www20.state.nj.us/DOE_TCIS_ASC/pages/appStatusSearch.jsp
8) How do I know what type of instructional certificate I should apply for?
The NJDOE offers three types of instructional certificates:
Certificate of Eligibility – Apply for this certificate if you did not complete a teacher preparation program. The fee is $170.00 for endorsements that do not require a test and $190.00 for endorsements that do require a Praxis II Content Knowledge test.
Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing - Apply for this certificate if you did complete a teacher preparation program. The fee is $170.00 for endorsements that do not require a test and $190.00 for endorsements that do require a Praxis II Content Knowledge test.
Standard Certificate -Apply for this certificate if you hold a valid out-of-state equivalent standard instructional certificate with at least two effective years of teaching that were completed within three consecutive years within the last four calendar years. The fee is $95.00 for endorsements that do not require a test and $115.00 for endorsements that do require a Praxis II Content Knowledge test.
9) How do I find out the requirements for the certificate(s) I want?
The general requirements for certificates can be accessed at the following web locations:
Instructional: http://www.nj.gov/cgi-bin/education/license/endorsement.pl?string=999&maxhits=1000&field=2.
Administrative: http://www.nj.gov/education/educators/license/admincert.htm.
Educational Services http://www.state.nj.us/education/educators/license/esp/
Career and Technical http://www.state.nj.us/education/educators/license/cte/
New Jersey regulations established by the State Board of Examiners determine all certificate requirements. You can find the regulations pertaining to your application using the 'search' function in Adobe Reader on this page: http://www.nj.gov/education/code/current/title6a/chap9.pdf.
10) Where can I get information about test requirements?
Please visit http://www.ets.org/praxis for a complete list of Praxis II Content Knowledge tests required for licensure in New Jersey.
11) What is the required Grade Point Average (GPA) for New Jersey certification?
New Jersey requires that candidates for certification achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A grade for students graduating on or after September 1, 2016 (2.75 for those graduating before September 1, 2016) in a baccalaureate degree program, higher degree program or a State-approved post-baccalaureate certification program with a minimum of 13 semester-hour credits.
12) Where can I take the courses that are required for licensure?
In New Jersey, contact any of the Colleges listed here (in drop down # 6) to determine whether they offer an approved program in the area in which you seek certification. In other states, the college or university must be a four-year regionally accredited institution that is a member of one of these six Regional Institutional Accrediting Organizations
13 What should I do if I am offered a job before I receive my license?
If you are offered a job before you receive your certification, the employing district may request an expedited review of the application. You must have obtained your certification in order to start employment. A complete, accurate application packet is required. Responsibility for assuring the accuracy and completeness of the application packet rests fully with each applicant.
14) How do I request a name change?
Please apply on line for a name change request. Then, complete a Name Change Request Form found on our website at http://www.state.nj.us/education/educators/license/forms/name_change.pdf
The form must be completed in its entirety. Incomplete forms will be returned. You must submit multiple forms of identification as indicated on the form. Mail the form to our office
- A fee of $20.00 is required.
15) Does New Jersey have licensing reciprocity with other states?
New Jersey has specific forms of reciprocity with other states for instructional, educational services and administrative certificates under our regulations. Please see this page for guidance:
http://www.state.nj.us/education/educators/license/out/reciprocity.htm
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16) I have an out of state teaching certificate. How do I obtain my New Jersey teaching certificate?
Please click here for requirements if you have a valid, current teaching license in another state.
17) I have a foreign teaching certificate. How do I obtain my New Jersey teaching certificate?
You must have an original foreign credential evaluation from a reputable agency for all coursework completed outside of the United States submitted to our office along with all other documents required for certification. Please click here for additional information:
http://www.state.nj.us/education/educators/license/process/ForeignCountry.htm
18) On my application I checked the box indicating that I had been convicted of a crime. What happens now?
If you have not done so already, please send in the Criminal Offense Information Form that is linked on the following page: http://www.nj.gov/education/educators/license/forms.htm. Or, if you answered yes to any question 2 through 6 on the oath please complete the Additional Information for the Oath of Allegiance Form The State Board of Examiners will then review the information you have provided and decide whether to ask you for more information.
19) How do I register or obtain additional information or a status report on an active case for the Principal Residency Program, School Administrator Residency Program, Substance Awareness Coordinator Residency Program, School Business Administrators, Librarian, or Media Specialist?
You may contact these programs at 609-376-3478 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
20) Where can I obtain additional information about…?
- Job Placement/NJ Hire
There is no formal statewide system of job placement for public schools. Each school district has the authority to operate its own employment and recruitment program. However, county offices of education or colleges may provide information about job vacancies or placement information in their respective counties.
- Teacher Pension
Teacher pensions are administered by the Teachers Pension and Annuity Fund, 1 State Street Square, 50 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08625 or call 609-292-7524 - Tenure and Seniority
Issues of educational tenure and seniority are addressed by the Bureau of Controversies and Disputes, New Jersey Department of Education, 100 Riverview Plaza, PO BOX 500, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0500 or call 609- 292-5705. - Nursery School Employment
Employment requirements for private nursery schools and day care centers, including licensing of group teachers and the issuance of day care center licenses, are regulated by the Division of Youth and Family Services, Department of Human Services, 50 East State Street, CN 717, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0717 or call 609-292-1021. - Substitute Teaching
Most school districts maintain lists of persons who are available to serve as substitutes in the absence of full-time teachers. Information about the requirements and procedures for becoming a substitute teacher must be obtained from the county office of education. - Salary
Teacher salaries in New Jersey are determined by each local school district. Information may be secured from the office of the superintendent of schools for each district. - School Aides
Information concerning service as a school aide may be obtained from your county superintendent of schools. - School Directory
You may view the School Directory information online at http://www.state.nj.us/education/directory. - Provisional Teaching Process (PTP)
The Provisional Teacher process is a program in which all novice teachers, both alternate and traditional route, are supported and supervised by experienced professionals in their schools while working under provisional certificates. After completion of the PTP, a teacher may be recommended for a standard certificate. The Provisional Teacher Process Training Unit number is (609)984-6377.
21) I have an out-of-state principal's certificate. How do I obtain my New Jersey principal's certificate?
A completed application for a principal certificate of eligibility (CE) must include the following:
- A web application
- Official college transcripts showing completion of a Master's Degree
- A copy of the out-of-state principal's certificate
22) I have an out-of-state school administrator certificate. How do I obtain my New Jersey school administrator certificate?
A completed application for a school administrator certificate of eligibility (CE) must include the following:
- A web application
- Official college transcripts showing completion of a Master's Degree
- A copy of the out-of-state administrator's certificate
23) My application for certification had been denied. What can I do now?
Upon receipt of an adverse evaluation or denial of certification, send an e-mail to Dr. Robert R. Higgins, Secretary of the State Board of Examiners, at credentials.review@doe.nj.gov. Include the following information:
- Name of certificate sought;
- Nature of the appeal (see above);
- Tracking number or Social Security number; and
- Current home address
- Upon receipt of a request by an applicant for appeal before the Board, the "case" is forwarded to the chief examiner to review and update, if necessary, the original evaluation of an applicant's credentials;
- Should the request be appropriate for credentials review, an information packet is forwarded to the applicant with instructions and necessary forms;
- The applicant prepares the documentation and other appropriate information per instructions. A request to prepare 12 copies of the information may occur with instructions to submit them to Dr. Robert R. Higgins, Secretary of the State Board of Examiners, New Jersey Department of Education, 200 River View Plaza, Trenton, New Jersey 08625;
- Dr. Higgins places the applicant on the agenda for the earliest available monthly Board meeting. The applicant is notified;
- Once the petition is placed before the Board, the Credentials Review Committee makes a recommendation (i.e., issuance, denial, partial credit) to the entire Board; and
- The decision is rendered and voted upon by the entire Board at the next or a future meeting.
The entire process takes approximately three to four months depending on the volume of cases and availability of space on the Board's agenda.
24) How do I change my address with the Office of Certification and Induction?
If your address has changed please update this information in the Teacher Certification Information System (TCIS) online. You can access this system by clicking on: https://www20.state.nj.us/DOE_TCIS_ONLINEED//login.jsp
Once logged onto your account, click on " Profile Settings". To proceed with the address change, click on your User ID . After filling in the updated information click "Submit".
25) How do I obtain veteran status?
To obtain Veteran status please circle yes to the question "Are you a military veteran?" located on the Oath of Allegiance form. You may be asked to submit a copy of your Military Service Record (DD214) to verify this status.
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