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In order to help speed the processing of an application, an applicant should review the following answers to questions that often arise.
1) Where should I send my application materials and fees?
Please send all documents, payments, and correspondence concerning your application to:
Office of Licensure and Credentials
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.
2) 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. Processing time from June through September may average 12 weeks or more. Our yearly average is about eight weeks. We continue to strive to reduce overall turnaround time through ongoing technological development and operational efficiency.
Applications made via the Internet are processed significantly faster than paper applications.
We will not begin to review your application until it is complete. (Please see the next FAQ for more information.)
3) 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:
b) A completed application for a non-citizen of the United States must include the following:
c) A completed application for an out-of-state applicant must include the following:
See this link for all forms: http://www.nj.gov/njded/educators/license/forms.htm
You can begin your online application at: http://www.nj.gov/njded/educators/license/tcis/.
NOTE: To speed processing time for all applications, bundle all documentation into one package.
4) If I must call the licensing office, when may I do so?
Customer Service is available to the public during the hours of 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (except major holidays). The Customer Service telephone number is (609) 292-2070. We regret the inconvenience, but other hours of the workday are devoted to the processing of applications and we are not able to accept incoming calls.
5) How do I pay and what are the fees?
If applying online, you can pay by credit card.
Or, you can pay the application fee by check or money order. The check or money order must be made out to Commissioner of Education. However, do not mail the check or money order to the Commissioner. Send all checks or money orders to the following address:
Office of Licensure and Credentials
New Jersey Department of Education
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
See the Fee Schedule for correct fees.
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.
If your application has been reviewed and denied, we will charge $70 against the fees you have paid and hold the remaining funds in your account against any future transactions or updates to the original application.
Please contact Customer Service at (609) 292-2070 if you have made a duplicate payment. We will work with you to resolve the matter.
7) How can I check the status of my application?
You may check the status of your application by visiting: https://www6.state.nj.us/DOE_TCIS_ASC/pages/appStatusSearch.jsp
You may also call our Customer Service line at (609) 292-2070 during the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (except major holidays).
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 have at least one year of full-time teaching experience under a valid out-of-state license and have completed a full teacher preparation program that included student teaching. 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/njded/educators/license/instructcert.htm.
Administrative: http://www.nj.gov/njded/educators/license/admincert.htm.
Educational Services: http://www.nj.gov/njded/educators/license/edservices.pdf.
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/njded/code/current/title6a/chap9.pdf.
10) What is an “endorsement?”
An endorsement is an area of certification with distinct grade-level and subject matter authorizations. Other states may title their certificates and endorsements differently
11) Where can I get information about test requirements?
Please visithttp://www.ets.org/praxis for a complete list of Praxis II Content Knowledge tests required for licensure in New Jersey.
12) Where can I take the courses that are required for licensure?
In New Jersey, contact any of the Colleges listed here 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 through the county superintendent of schools. No license application will be expedited unless the district superintendent in the hiring district requests a priority evaluation. A complete, accurate application packet is required. Responsibility for assuring the accuracy and completeness of the application packet rests fully with each applicant.
14) What should I do if I receive the wrong license?
It is illegal to knowingly accept employment under a license that was printed or issued erroneously. If you receive such a license, please return the original license with a brief cover letter to the New Jersey Department of Education, P.O. Box 500, Trenton, NJ 08625-0500.
15) How do I request a name change?
You may access a Name Change Request form on our website at the following location: http://www.state.nj.us/education/educators/license/forms/name_change.pdf
Please note that a name change request requires that we reprint your current certificate(s) with your new name. In order for your name change request to be processed, the form must be completed in its entirety. Incomplete forms will be returned. You must submit of multiple forms of identification and surrender previously issued certificates. A fee of $60.00 is required for each certificate you wish to have altered.
16) Does New Jersey have licensing reciprocity with other states?
New Jersey currently has reciprocity with other states for instructional certificates under the NASDTEC Interstate Contract. Applicants must meet all New Jersey standards for subject matter preparation to be eligible for reciprocity. Reciprocity is not offered for administrator or educational services certificates
17) I have an out-of-state or foreign teaching certificate. How do I obtain my New Jersey teaching certificate?
A completed application for a traditionally trained out-of-state or non-citizen applicant must include the following:
18) I graduated from an out-of-state college or university. How do I obtain my New Jersey teaching certificate?
Please follow the instructions outlined in the response posted above.
19) 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 History form that is linked on the following page: http://www.nj.gov/njded/educators/license/forms.htm. The State Board of Examiners will then review the information you have provided and decide whether to ask you for more information.
20) How do I report improper or illegal behavior on the part of a school district employee?
Please notify both the district superintendent and the State Board of Examiners in writing. You may contact the State Board of Examiners at:
Secretary, State Board of Examiners
c/o Office of Licensure and Credentials
New Jersey Department of Education
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625-0500
21) What is the Alternate Route Program and how do I enter it?
The alternate route to teacher certification allows those who have not completed a traditional teacher preparation program to transition into the teaching profession. Information about how to enter and complete the Alternate Route Program is available by following this link: Alternate Route Program
22) 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 or Substance Awareness Coordinator Residency Program?
You may contact these programs at 609 292-6378 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
23) Where can I obtain additional information about…?
The cornerstone of New Jersey’s teacher recruitment initiative is the online recruitment system, NJHire. NJHire was launched in June 2000. NJHire is free to school districts and teacher candidates. Please visit http://www.njhire.com to perform a job search or post your resume for viewing by school districts.
