TEACHER
ELIGIBILITY AND
LICENSURE SUMMARY
NEW JERSEY
STATE CERTIFICATION
Contact: Sharon
Rife
(856)589-6644 x6604
During the past decade, the
New Jersey State Board of Education has adopted revised regulations,
for teacher licensure, which require the issuance of provisional licenses
for novice teachers in virtually all instructional areas except special
education. In 1985, the State Board of Education introduced the nation's
first "alternate route" to licensure for qualified liberal
arts graduates who have not completed professional education in a traditional
teacher training program. "Alternate route" candidates attend
a program of formal instruction that takes place concurrently with on-the-job
support and evaluation. The State Board of Education revised regulations
in 1989 to require provisional licensure and on-the-job support for
all first year teachers in New Jersey - beginning with May 1993 college
graduates who completed approved teacher-training programs in all instructional
areas except special education. Regulations were further revised in
April 2001 requiring two years of mentoring for all novice teachers,
including holders of a standard license in special education.
The regulations established a sequential three-step licensure process
as follows:
A. CERTIFICATES OF ELIGIBILITY:
These certificates provide the opportunity to seek employment. These
are NOT teaching licenses.
1. CERTIFICATES OF ELIGIBILITY
(CE): The CE is issued to those qualified applicants who have
not completed a state approved college teacher-training program (i.e.,
alternate route candidates).
2. CERTIFICATES OF ELIGIBILITY
WITH ADVANCED STANDING (CEAS): The CEAS is issued to all graduates
of state approved college teacher training programs. Teacher candidates
who can document one year of full time teaching experience under a
valid state license will be issued standard licenses.
B. PROVISIONAL LICENSE:
This one year license allows the holder to begin working in the
classroom and legalizes employment. It signifies that the applicant
holds a CE or a CEAS and has accepted an offer of employment. In addition,
it signifies that the employing school district or approved nonpublic
school has registered the applicant in the Provisional Teacher Program
and has agreed to provide the required support and supervision.
C. STANDARD LICENSE:
This permanent credential allows the holder to serve without condition
in all New Jersey public schools. It signifies successful completion
of Provisional Teacher Program requirements while serving under a provisional
license during the first year of employment.
PROVISIONAL TEACHER PROGRAM
A. Provisional Teacher
Holding a CE: In May 2003, two new options were announced to pursue
an alternate route to certification in New Jersey - the MAT Plan and
the Community College Provider Plan. Those teachers NOT participating
in either of these two plans must attend one of the regional training
centers. The formal instruction consists of approximately 200 clock
hours of study in essential areas of professional knowledge and skills.
The instructional focus is clinical, emphasizing the relationship between
theory and actual classroom practice. Instruction at these sites is
available only to those candidates who have accepted employment in a
school and are registered in the Provisional Teacher Program.
B. Provisional Teacher Holding a CEAS: Not applicable. This component
has been completed in the college teacher training program.
ESTABLISHING ELIGIBILITY
Currently the cumulative
grade point average requirement is 2.5 or better when a GPA of 4.0 equals
an A grade. Beginning 9/1/04, the cumulative GPA will change to 2.75
or better.
For additional certification information, district employees may contact Sharon Rife at extension 6604. All others should contact your county's NJ Department of Education office for the application package. The Gloucester County office is located at 1492 Tanyard Road, Sewell, NJ 08080; telephone number 856-468-6500; or at the state Web site:
http://www.state.nj.us/njded/educators/license
or call 609-292-2070.
