N.J.A.C. 6A:9B, State Board of Examiners and Certification

Table of Contents

Subchapter 1. Scope and Purpose

6A:9B-1.1 Scope

6A:9B-1.2 Purpose

Subchapter 2. Definitions

6A:9B-2.1 Definitions

Subchapter 3. State Board of Examiners

6A:9B-3.1 General

6A:9B-3.2 Powers and duties

6A:9B-3.3 Board of Examiners’ procedure

Subchapter 4. State Board of Examiners’ Proceedings

6A:9B-4.1 Conduct barring candidate from certification

6A:9B-4.2 Candidates to provide information regarding criminal history

6A:9B-4.3 School district and candidate reporting responsibility

6A:9B-4.4 Grounds for revocation and suspension of certification

6A:9B-4.5 Process for initiating action against educator certificates

6A:9B-4.6 Procedures for revoking or suspending a certificate

6A:9B-4.7 Return of certificates and notification after revocation or suspension of certificates

6A:9B-4.8 Suspension of certificates for failure to give notice of intention to resign

6A:9B-4.9 Application for certification after revocation or block

6A:9B-4.10 Relinquishment of certificate without order to show cause

6A:9B-4.11 Voluntary surrender of certificates and endorsements

6A:9B-4.12 Appeals of Office certification decisions

6A:9B-4.13 Appeal of a “disapproved,” two “partially effective” or “ineffective” evaluations, or

ineligibility for a standard certificate

6A:9B-4.14 Motions

6A:9B-4.15 Motions for reconsideration

6A:9B-4.16 Motions for stay

6A:9B-4.17 Briefs and exceptions

6A:9B-4.18 Appeal of Board of Examiners decisions

Subchapter 5. General Certification Policies

6A:9B-5.1 Certificate required

6A:9B-5.2 Types of certificates or credentials

6A:9B-5.3 Issuance of a certificate

6A:9B-5.4 Certification responsibilities of the district board of education

6A:9B-5.5 Assignment of titles

6A:9B-5.6 Fees

6A:9B-5.7 Citizenship requirement

6A:9B-5.8 Minimum degree and age requirement

6A:9B-5.9 Examination in physiology, hygiene, and substance abuse issues requirement

6A:9B-5.10 Certification of military personnel and nonresident active-duty military spouses

6A:9B-5.11 Exchange teachers

6A:9B-5.12 Emergency certificates for candidates for educational services certificates

6A:9B-5.13 Interstate contracts

6A:9B-5.14 Limited certificate for noncitizen teachers

6A:9B-5.15 Persons employed to coach or serving as coach for interscholastic swimming and/or

diving programs

6A:9B-5.16 Athletics personnel

6A:9B-5.17 Educational technology resources and tools

Subchapter 6. College Courses and Certification

6A:9B-6.1 Validation of college degrees and college professional preparation

6A:9B-6.2 Recognition of advanced standing in a college

6A:9B-6.3 Course information

6A:9B-6.4 Equivalency of coursework completed in other countries

Subchapter 7. Substitute Credential

6A:9B-7.1 Issuance of substitute credential for positions requiring instructional certificates

6A:9B-7.2 Substitute credential requirements

6A:9B-7.3 Time-period limitations for serving as a substitute teacher

6A:9B-7.4 Career and technical education substitute credential

6A:9B-7.5 Substitute credential for positions not requiring instructional certificates

6A:9B-7.6 Substitute credential for exchange teachers

6A:9B-7.7 Fulfilling teacher vacancies and absences

Subchapter 8. Requirements for Instructional Certification

6A:9B-8.1 Instructional certificate

6A:9B-8.2 Requirements for certificates of eligibility with advanced standing (CEAS)

6A:9B-8.3 Requirements for certificates of eligibility (CE)

6A:9B-8.4 Requirements for the provisional certificate

6A:9B-8.5 Renewal of the provisional certificate

6A:9B-8.6 Evaluation of a provisional teacher for the standard certificate

6A:9B-8.7 Requirements for the standard certificate

6A:9B-8.8 Requirements for interstate reciprocity for a CEAS, CE, or standard certificate

6A:9B-8.9 Requirements for nonpublic school training programs

6A:9B-8.10 Nonresident military spouse temporary instructional certificate

Subchapter 8A. Limited Instructional Certificate of Eligibility and Certificate of Eligibility

with Advanced Standing Pilot Program

6A:9B-8A.1 Scope

6A:9B-8A.2 School district participation

6A:9B-8A.3 Limited CE or CEAS in an instructional area requirements

6A:9B-8A.4 Provisional and standard certificate requirements for certificate holders with a

limited CE or CEAS in an instructional area

Subchapter 9. Instructional Endorsements

6A:9B-9.1 Endorsement requirements

6A:9B-9.2 Authorizations – general

6A:9B-9.3 Department-issued endorsements and authorizations

6A:9B-9.4 21st century life and careers, and career and technical education endorsements and authorizations

Subchapter 10. Additional Requirements or Exceptions to Requirements for Instructional

Endorsements for Certification

6A:9B-10.1 General provisions

6A:9B-10.2 Elementary school (K-6)

6A:9B-10.3 Health and physical education

6A:9B-10.4 Science

6A:9B-10.5 World languages

6A:9B-10.6 Technology education

6A:9B-10.7 Art

6A:9B-10.8 Social studies

6A:9B-10.9 Family and consumer sciences

6A:9B-10.10 Comprehensive business

6A:9B-10.11 Computer applications and business-related information technology

6A:9B-10.12 Finance, economics, and law

6A:9B-10.13 Keyboarding and data entry

6A:9B-10.14 Office administration and office systems technology

6A:9B-10.15 Computer science

Subchapter 11. Additional Requirements or Exceptions to Requirements for Instructional

Certification with Special Endorsements

6A:9B-11.1 General provisions

6A:9B-11.2 Preschool through grade three

6A:9B-11.3 Career and technical education

6A:9B-11.4 Teacher of students with disabilities

6A:9B-11.5 Bilingual/bicultural education

6A:9B-11.6 English as a second language

6A:9B-11.7 Driver education

6A:9B-11.8 Military science

6A:9B-11.9 Middle school with subject matter specialization

6A:9B-11.10 Swimming and water safety

6A:9B-11.11 Teacher of Supplemental Instruction in Reading and Mathematics, Grades K-8

6A:9B-11.12 Requirements for the charter school certificate of eligibility (CSCE)

6A:9B-11.13 Requirements for mathematics and science add-on endorsement

6A:9B-11.14 Requirements for the early college high school certificate of eligibility

Subchapter 11A. Requirements for Teacher Leader Endorsement

6A:9B-11A.1 Purpose of requirements

6A:9B-11A.2 Authorization

6A:9B-11A.3 Requirements

Subchapter 12. Requirements for Administrative Certification

6A:9B-12.1 Purpose of requirements

6A:9B-12.2 College degrees

6A:9B-12.3 Authorization

6A:9B-12.4 School administrator

6A:9B-12.5 Principal

6A:9B-12.6 Supervisor

6A:9B-12.7 School business administrator

6A:9B-12.8 Requirements for interstate reciprocity

Subchapter 13. Acting Administrators

6A:9B-13.1 General provisions

Subchapter 14. Requirements for Educational Services Certification

6A:9B-14.1 Qualifications/general provisions

6A:9B-14.2 Student assistance coordinator

6A:9B-14.3 School nurse

6A:9B-14.4 School nurse/non-instructional

6A:9B-14.5 School social worker

6A:9B-14.6 Speech-language specialist

6A:9B-14.7 Director of school counseling services

6A:9B-14.8 School counselor

6A:9B-14.9 School psychologist

6A:9B-14.10 Learning disabilities teacher-consultant

6A:9B-14.11 School occupational therapist

6A:9B-14.12 School physical therapist

6A:9B-14.13 Reading specialist

6A:9B-14.14 School library media specialist

6A:9B-14.15 Associate school library media specialist

6A:9B-14.16 School orientation and mobility specialist

6A:9B-14.17 School athletic trainer

6A:9B-14.18 Educational interpreter

6A:9B-14.19 Cooperative education coordinator – hazardous occupations

6A:9B-14.20 Cooperative education coordinator

6A:9B-14.21 Requirements for interstate reciprocity

6A:9B-14.22 Bilingual language paraprofessional credential

6A:9B-14.23 Early literacy specialist

Subchapter 15. Academic Qualifying Credentials

6A:9B-15.1 Academic Qualifying Credentials

Chapter 9B. State Board of Examiners and Certification

Subchapter 1. Scope and Purpose

6A:9B-1.1 Scope

This chapter sets forth the rules governing the licensure of educators or candidates required to be

certified. It also contains the rules delineating the organization of, powers of, duties of, and

proceedings before the State Board of Examiners.

6A:9B-1.2 Purpose

(a) The purpose of this chapter is to establish a licensure system that is based on professional

standards for pre-service preparation and certification and that continuously serves to

improve the quality of instruction for New Jersey’s children to prepare them for post-

secondary education and/or careers.

(b) The licensure system shall function along a continuum of rigorous pre-professional

preparation, certification, and professional development to better prepare educators to

support improved student achievement of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Subchapter 2. Definitions

6A:9B-2.1 Definitions

The definitions set forth in N.J.A.C. 6A:9-2.1 shall apply to the words and terms used in this chapter.

Subchapter 3. State Board of Examiners

6A:9B-3.1 General

(a) There shall be a Board of Examiners, consisting of the Commissioner, ex officio, and one

assistant commissioner of education, two presidents of State colleges, one executive

county superintendent, one superintendent of schools of a Type I district, one

superintendent of a Type II district, one high school principal, one elementary school

principal, one librarian employed by the State or by one of its political subdivisions, one

school business administrator, and four teaching staff members other than a

superintendent, principal, school business administrator, or librarian, all of whom shall be

appointed by the Commissioner with the approval of the State Board.

(b) The Assistant Commissioner shall be the chair of the Board of Examiners. The Director of

the Office shall be the Secretary of the Board of Examiners.

up of less than a majority of the full Board of Examiners to assist in the conduct of the

Board of Examiners’ duties.

(d) The Board of Examiners shall hold its annual organization meeting prior to October 1 of each year.

(e) The appointed members of the Board of Examiners shall hold office for two years, from

September 15 of the year in which they are appointed. Vacancies on the Board of Examiners

shall be filled for the unexpired term only.

6A:9B-3.2 Powers and duties

(a) Upon review of certified scholastic records, documented experience, and/or examinations,

the Board of Examiners shall:

1. Issue appropriate certificates to teach or to administer, direct, or supervise, the

teaching, instruction, or educational guidance of students in public schools and all

other certificates as the Board of Examiners is authorized to issue by law;

2. Revoke or suspend certificates issued, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.4; and

3. Refuse to issue a certificate under appropriate circumstances as set forth at

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.1.

(b) All Board of Examiners’ actions shall be taken pursuant to rules adopted by the State

Board at N.J.A.C. 6A:9 and this chapter.

assigned to it may:

1. Examine credentials and issue certificates that qualify individuals to seek employment

as teaching staff members in the public schools of the State of New Jersey;

2. Recommend and develop procedures that govern the certification of teaching staff members;

3. Coordinate, monitor, and evaluate aspects of educator preparation programs and

training programs of district boards of education that lead to educational certificates

and recommend the programs’ periodic approval by the Commissioner;

4. Coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the administration of assessments that are

required for educational certification;

5. Maintain reciprocal agreements with other states and territories concerning the

certification of teaching staff members;

6. Maintain and report data on the supply and quality of newly certified teaching staff

members; and

7. Assist district boards of education in the employment of teaching staff members.

6A:9B-3.3 Board of Examiners’ procedure

(a) Public meetings of the Board of Examiners shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order

Newly Revised (12th Edition), as amended and supplemented. A copy of this publication

can be obtained from Perseus Publishing, Markets Department at the Perseus Books

Group, 11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142.

(b) Regular meetings of the Board of Examiners shall be held at such time, place and on such dates

as established by the Board of Examiners and notice of such meetings shall be made in

accordance with N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., the Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act.

the request of any three members. Three days’ notice of any special meeting shall be given

to each member. The Board of Examiners shall provide “adequate notice” of such special

meetings as that term is defined at N.J.S.A. 10:4-8.

(d) A quorum shall consist of a majority of the number of currently seated voting members of

the Board of Examiners.

(e) If a member of the Board of Examiners is absent from three consecutive public meetings

without good cause, the Board of Examiners may, by majority vote, remove that member

for the remainder of the member’s term.

Subchapter 4. State Board of Examiners’ Proceedings

6A:9B-4.1 Conduct barring candidate from certification

Notwithstanding that a candidate may meet requirements for certification, the Board of Examiners

may refuse to issue a certificate to the candidate if it determines, based on the record before it,

that the candidate is not suitable for employment as a teaching staff member in the public schools

for reasons set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.4. This refusal shall be known as a blocked application.

6A:9B-4.2 Candidates to provide information regarding criminal history

(a) As part of the application for certification, a candidate shall advise the Office whether the

candidate has a record of conviction(s) for any crime or offense in New Jersey or any

other state or international jurisdiction. Candidates who have been convicted shall

complete a form approved by the Secretary setting forth the details of the conviction(s).

(b) The Board of Examiners, or its designee, shall review all information the candidate provides

and determine whether the candidate’s criminal history is such that the candidate should not

receive a certificate. In making its determination, the Board of Examiners shall consider the

Rehabilitated Convicted Offenders Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:168A-1 et seq., and whether the

crime(s) or offense(s) would be disqualifying pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.1 et seq.

6A:9B-4.3 School district and candidate reporting responsibility

(a) The chief school administrator shall notify the Board of Examiners when:

1. Tenured teaching staff members who are accused of criminal offenses or

unbecoming conduct resign, retire, are suspended, or are placed on administrative

leave from their positions;

2. Nontenured teaching staff members, including substitute teachers and any

certificate holders working in school buildings as volunteers or as employees of a

third-party vendor, who are accused of criminal offenses or unbecoming conduct

resign, retire, or are removed from their positions;

3. A teaching staff member fails to maintain any license, certificate, or authorization

that is mandated pursuant to this chapter for the holder to serve in a position;

4. The chief school administrator becomes aware that a teaching staff member has been

convicted of a crime or criminal offense while in the school district’s employ; or

5. The chief school administrator receives a report from the Department of Children

and Families substantiating allegations of abuse or neglect, or establishing

“concerns” regarding a teaching staff member.

(b) A school district shall cooperate with the Board of Examiners, as requested, to assist the

Board of Examiners in executing its functions. Cooperation shall include, but not be

limited to, providing documents, videos, emails, and investigative notes.

annually all employees of the following reporting requirements. Failure to comply with

this subsection may be deemed “just cause,” pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.4.

1. All certificate holders shall report to their chief school administrator their arrest or

indictment for any crime or offense within 14 calendar days of the arrest or

indictment. The reporting certificate holder shall provide the date of arrest or

indictment and any charge(s) filed against the certificate holder.

2. Certificate holders arrested or indicted for any crime or offense shall report to their

chief school administrator the disposition of any charge within seven calendar days

of disposition.

3. A certificate holder shall report to their chief school administrator the suspension

or revocation of any other license, certificate, or authorization issued to the

certificate holder by a state or Federal agency or body. Such a report shall be made

within seven calendar days of the notification date of the suspension or revocation

of the license, certificate, or authorization.

6A:9B-4.4 Grounds for revocation and suspension of certification

(a) The Board of Examiners may revoke or suspend the certificate(s) of any certificate holder

on the basis of demonstrated inefficiency, incapacity, conduct unbecoming a teacher, or

other just cause.

1. Other just cause shall include, but not be limited to, offenses within the terms of the

forfeiture statute, N.J.S.A. 2C:51-2, or the disqualification statute, N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.1.

(b) The Board of Examiners may revoke or suspend a certificate upon evidence that the

certificate holder did not meet the qualifications for the certificate at the time of issuance

or no longer satisfies the criteria set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.1(b).

certificate holder an opportunity to be heard, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.5.

6A:9B-4.5 Process for initiating action against educator certificates

(a) The Board of Examiners may issue an order to show cause to a certificate holder if the

Board of Examiners determines the conduct of the holder warrants the revocation or

suspension of the certificate(s) held where:

1. The Commissioner transmits a contested case to the Board of Examiners that resulted

in a teaching staff member’s loss of tenure, dismissal, resignation, or retirement;

2. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.3, a school district notifies the Board of Examiners

that a teaching staff member is no longer employed in the school district;

3. The Board of Examiners receives information regarding a certificate holder’s

criminal conviction or pending criminal charges;

4. The Board of Examiners receives notice that:

i. Another state has taken action against a teaching staff member’s certificate

in that state; and

ii. That teaching staff member also holds a certificate in New Jersey;

5. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.10, the Department of Children and Families forwards

to the Board of Examiners a copy of a report in which the Department of Children

and Families has substantiated that a certificate holder has abused or neglected a

child or has identified concerns with the conduct of a certificate holder;

6. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.3, the Commissioner notifies the Board of Examiners

that an individual who holds a New Jersey certificate is disqualified from employment

in public schools or has pending charges for an offense that is disqualifying;

7. A certificate holder fails to maintain any license, certificate, or authorization that is

mandated, pursuant to this chapter, for the holder to serve in a position;

8. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-38.1, the Commissioner recommends to the State

Board of Examiners the revocation of the certification of the chief school

administrator, assistant superintendent, or an individual operating in such capacity

as authorized pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-12.3, or the school business

administrator based on information received from a school district in which the

certificate holder is employed;

9. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7A-55, the Board of Examiners becomes aware that any

condition exists within a school district that would authorize the appointment of a

State monitor. In such cases, the Board of Examiners shall review the certification of

a school district’s chief school administrator and school business administrator; or

10. Pursuant to P.L. 1989, c. 266 (N.J.S.A. 18A:4-14 et seq.) and P.L. 2007, c. 53

(N.J.S.A. 18A:55-3 et seq.), the Board of Examiners becomes aware that any school

district is not in compliance with the generally accepted accounting principles

(GAAP) system of double entry bookkeeping, as required. In such cases, the

Commissioner shall recommend to the Board of Examiners that it review the

certification of the school district’s school business administrator.

(b) Nothing in this section shall preclude the Board of Examiners from issuing an order to

show cause on its own initiative when the Board of Examiners determines grounds for

revocation or suspension of a certificate may exist.

6A:9B-4.6 Procedures for revoking or suspending a certificate

(a) After review of the information received pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.5, the Board of

Examiners shall determine by public vote whether to initiate action against the certificate

holder. In cases where the Board of Examiners votes to initiate action against the

certificate holder, the Secretary shall issue an order to show cause stating the specific

charges that form the grounds of the revocation or suspension proceeding.

(b) The certificate holder shall file an answer with the Board of Examiners no later than 30

days from the date of mailing of the order to show cause. The answer shall respond

specifically to each allegation. The Board of Examiners shall not accept general denials

and shall deem them an admission.

second notice affording an additional response time of 15 days from the date of the

mailing of the second notice. The second notice shall also advise the certificate holder that

the allegations against the certificate holder, as set forth in the order to show cause, shall

be deemed admitted if the Board of Examiners does not receive any response within the

specified time. The second notice shall further advise that the Board of Examiners shall

proceed to a decision on the allegations in the order to show cause on the basis of the

evidence before the Board of Examiners.

(d) If the certificate holder files an answer and there are material facts in dispute, the Board of

Examiners shall either hear the matter directly or transmit the matter to the OAL for a hearing.

The hearings at the OAL shall be heard in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act,

N.J.S.A. 52:14B-1 et seq., and the Uniform Administrative Procedure Rules, N.J.A.C. 1:1.

(e) If the certificate holder files an answer and no material facts appear to be in dispute, the

Secretary shall send the certificate holder a hearing notice informing the holder of the

opportunity to submit written briefs, affidavits, and other supporting documentation for the

Board of Examiners’ consideration. The certificate holder shall submit all response papers

within 30 days from the hearing notice’s mailing date.

(f) After receipt of the written submissions pursuant to (e) above, the Secretary shall place the

matter on the Board of Examiners’ agenda and notify the certificate holder of the date the

Board of Examiners will consider the matter. The notice shall advise the certificate holder

whether the holder’s appearance is necessary.

(g) The Board of Examiners may transmit the matter to the OAL if, after review of the written

submissions, the Board of Examiners determines that there are material facts in dispute.

The Board of Examiners may identify the specific issues the OAL shall consider.

(h) In all cases, the Board of Examiners shall clearly articulate the findings of fact upon which

its decision was based. If the Board of Examiners has decided a matter solely on the

papers submitted by the certificate holder, the Board of Examiners shall set forth the

reasons it deemed summary decision appropriate.

(i) Upon the certificate holder’s application for an extension of time, the Secretary may

extend the time for filing the answer pursuant to (c) above or for filing the hearing brief

pursuant to (e) above, provided the application for the extension is submitted, in writing,

prior to the expiration of the 30 days for filing the answer or the hearing brief.

(j) The Office may refuse to issue a new certificate to a certificate holder who is otherwise

eligible for the additional certificate if the holder is the subject of:

1. A pending action to revoke or suspend the holder’s certificate(s) pursuant to this section;

2. A blocked application, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.1;

3. A criminal action in any state or jurisdiction; or

4. An administrative action or investigation by a state or Federal agency or other

governmental body.

(k) All filings made pursuant to this section shall be accepted by electronic submission.

6A:9B-4.7 Return of certificates and notification after revocation or suspension of certificates

(a) If the Board of Examiners orders the revocation or suspension of a certificate, the

certificate holder shall surrender it to the Secretary within 30 days after the mailing date of

the revocation or suspension order, if the certificate holder was issued a paper certificate.

(b) After the Board of Examiners has revoked or suspended a certificate, the Secretary shall notify:

1. The states, territories, and other agencies that are part of the National Association

of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification;

2. The executive county superintendents;

3. Appropriate governmental pension and annuity funds, or retirement services;

4. The chief school administrator in the employing school district; and

5. Any other agency or entity as may be required by law.

period, provided the certificate holder has met all conditions that the Board of Examiners

established in the suspension decision. If the suspension is pending the outcome of an

underlying criminal proceeding, the certificate holder shall notify the Board of Examiners,

in writing, of the outcome of the underlying criminal matter. If the certificate holder fails

to notify the Board of Examiners in writing of the disposition of any criminal charge, the

pending suspension shall continue until such time as the certificate holder presents new

information relating to the disposition of the criminal charge and the Board of Examiners

takes action upon receipt of the new information.

(d) All revocation and/or suspension decisions of the State Board of Examiners shall be

published and publicly available. Decisions contain detailed information on the nature of

the conduct and the penalty for such conduct.

6A:9B-4.8 Suspension of certificates for failure to give notice of intention to resign

(a) A teaching staff member employed by a district board of education who ceases, without the

district board of education’s consent, to perform the teaching staff member’s duties prior to

the expiration of the term of employment shall be deemed guilty of unprofessional conduct.

(b) Upon receiving notice of the fact, the Commissioner may suspend the certificate for a

period not to exceed one year, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:26-10.

with N.J.A.C. 6A:4.

6A:9B-4.9 Application for certification after revocation or block

(a) A certificate that has been revoked for any of the grounds set forth in this chapter shall not

be reinstated. An individual who has had a certificate revoked may file an application for a

new certificate with the Board of Examiners.

(b) The Board of Examiners shall not issue a new certificate to a candidate whose

certificate(s) has been revoked unless the following conditions are met:

1. The candidate satisfied all criteria for the certificate’s issuance in effect at the time

the candidate applied for the new certificate;

2. At least four years have passed since the effective date of the revocation of the

previous certificate(s);

3. The candidate provided evidence demonstrating rehabilitation for the unbecoming

conduct, incompetence, or other cause for the revocation;

4. If the revocation was due to the conviction of a crime that is not disqualifying pursuant

to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.1 et seq., the candidate has submitted evidence that the candidate

has been fully rehabilitated in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2A:168A-2 and that issuing a

certificate to the candidate would not be detrimental to the public welfare;

5. The candidate complied with all conditions imposed by the revocation order; and

6. If the revocation arose from a criminal matter involving the candidate, the candidate

provided evidence that the candidate has satisfied any condition imposed by the

court, probation, plea bargain agreement, or any other entity.

certificate to any candidate who is:

1. Ordered to forfeit a certificate(s) as part of a settlement in a tenure or criminal

proceeding;

2. Barred from teaching again in the State of New Jersey by order of a court of

competent jurisdiction;

3. Ordered to forfeit a certificate(s) or public employment as part of a plea bargain;

4. Ordered to forfeit a certificate(s) as a condition for entrance into a pre-trial

intervention program as set forth in Rule 3.28 of the New Jersey Court Rules;

5. Ordered to forfeit a certificate(s) pursuant to a sentence imposed in a criminal proceeding;

6. Barred from employment in a school for any reason; or

7. Relinquishing a certificate(s), pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.10.

(d) A candidate shall not be eligible to apply for a certificate after the Board of Examiners has

blocked a prior application, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.1, unless the candidate seeks, by

written application, leave from the Board of Examiners to apply and meets the following criteria:

1. At least one calendar year has passed since the Board of Examiners blocked the

candidate’s prior application;

2. The candidate demonstrates rehabilitation for the unbecoming conduct,

incompetence, or other cause for the block;

3. If the block was due to the conviction of a crime that is not disqualifying pursuant to

N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.1 et seq., the candidate has submitted evidence that the candidate

has been fully rehabilitated in accordance with N.J.S.A 2A:168A-2, and that issuing a

certificate to the candidate would not be detrimental to the public welfare;

4. If the block arose from a criminal matter involving the candidate, the candidate

provided evidence that the candidate has satisfied any condition imposed by the

court, probation, plea bargain agreement, or any other entity; and

5. If the block arose from action taken against the candidate’s out-of-State educator

certificate(s), the candidate satisfied any condition associated with the action

against the out-of-State certificate(s).

6A:9B-4.10 Relinquishment of certificate without order to show cause

(a) The Board of Examiners may accept the relinquishment of all certificates held by an

individual without issuance of an order to show cause.

(b) When accepted by the Board of Examiners, the relinquishment of a certificate in

accordance with (a) above shall have the force and effect of a revocation, including, but

not limited to, the notification requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.7(b).

of Examiners stating that the certificate holder:

1. Is relinquishing all certificates held;

2. Is waiving the right to a hearing pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.6 and agrees not to

institute in any forum proceedings concerning the relinquishment; and

3. Understands the relinquishment has the force and effect of a revocation with its

attendant consequences.

(d) The Board of Examiners shall vote on whether to accept the relinquishment of the

certificate(s). If the Board of Examiners votes to accept the relinquishment, the revocation

shall be effective as of the date of the Board of Examiners’ vote.

(e) If the certificate holder was issued a paper certificate(s), the holder shall return all paper

certificates to the Board of Examiners.

6A:9B-4.11 Voluntary surrender of certificates and endorsements

(a) A certificate holder may voluntarily surrender a certificate or endorsement if the holder

has not been employed pursuant to that certificate or endorsement in the 10 years

preceding the proposed surrender and if the holder submits to the Board of Examiners an

affidavit stating the following:

1. The certificate holder is surrendering the certificate or endorsement voluntarily,

and not pursuant to the conditions set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.10;

2. The certificate holder’s employment history for the 10 years preceding the voluntary

surrender, including official documentation from a school official, if applicable; and

3. The certificate holder has not been employed under the certificate or endorsement

at issue in the 10 years preceding the voluntary surrender.

(b) The Board of Examiners shall review the application for a voluntary surrender. If the

Board of Examiners votes to accept the surrender, the certificate or endorsement shall be

deemed surrendered as of the date of the Board of Examiners’ vote.

Board of Examiners the original certificate(s) or endorsement(s).

(d) Individuals who voluntarily surrender a certificate or endorsement may not apply for the

same certificate or endorsement for three years from the effective date of the voluntary

surrender. Candidates shall be subject to the certification requirements in effect at the time

the new application is submitted.

(e) The Board of Examiners shall not accept a voluntary surrender when the certificate holder

seeking to surrender the certificate(s) or endorsement(s) has a pending order to show cause

issued against the certificate(s) or endorsement(s).

6A:9B-4.12 Appeals of Office certification decisions

(a) A candidate for certification may appeal to the Board of Examiners an adverse decision of

the Office regarding the candidate’s eligibility.

1. The appeal shall be filed with the Board of Examiners within 60 days of the date of

the decision at issue. For good cause shown, the Board of Examiners may relax the

60-day requirement.

(b) If a candidate receives an evaluation that identifies areas of deficiency in the certification

requirements, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.3(c), the candidate may provide the Board of

Examiners with evidence of alternative education and/or experience that the candidate

considers equivalent to any area(s) of deficiency.

1. Waive any test, GPA, degree completion, or approved educator preparation

program completion requirements;

2. Permit a candidate to substitute education and/or experience for any test, GPA,

degree, or approved educator preparation program completion requirements; or

3. Issue a certificate that is expired and/or is not a type of certificate endorsement set

forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9 through 11A.

(d) Upon receipt of a written request to file an appeal to the Board of Examiners, the Secretary

shall provide the candidate with a copy of the appeals procedures, including the following:

1. The appeal shall be in the form approved by the Secretary and shall be accompanied

by a sworn statement attesting to the facts in the appeal. The candidate shall be

responsible for demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that the candidate is

eligible for the requested certificate pursuant to this chapter.

2. The Secretary shall examine for sufficiency the information submitted by the

candidate and transmit it to the Board of Examiners for review.

3. The Secretary shall give a candidate at least 10 days’ notice of the Board of

Examiners’ meeting at which the appeal will be considered.

4. The candidate may be present at the meeting at which the Board of Examiners

considers the appeal. If in attendance, the Board of Examiners may question the

candidate regarding the candidate’s submission.

5. The Board of Examiners shall review the information provided by the candidate

and render a written decision including an explanation of the decision. The

Secretary shall forward to the candidate a copy of the decision.

6. If the Board of Examiners determines a candidate is not eligible for the requested

certificate, the candidate may not request an additional review by the Board of

Examiners until one year has elapsed from the date of the Board of Examiners’

decision and the applicant has obtained alternative education and/or experience. The

Board of Examiners may relax the required time period for good cause shown.

6A:9B-4.13 Appeal of a “disapproved,” two “partially effective” or “ineffective” evaluations,

or ineligibility for a standard certificate

(a) If a school district notifies the Office that a candidate is permanently ineligible for a renewal

of the provisional certificate pursuant to the standard certificate evaluation requirements at

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7, the candidate may initiate an appeal to the Board of Examiners. If an

individual has received two “partially effective” or “ineffective” evaluations issued pursuant

to N.J.A.C. 6A:10 and required at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.6, only the second adverse evaluation

shall be the subject of the appeal. The following procedures shall apply:

1. The candidate shall file a copy of the appeal with the Secretary, or the Secretary’s

designee, within 60 days of receipt of the standard certificate determination. The

candidate’s appeal shall take the form of a written submission, including a sworn

statement attesting to the facts in the appeal, and evidence documenting the reason(s)

why the candidate should be awarded a standard certificate or be granted an additional

opportunity for provisional employment. The candidate shall provide a copy of the final

evaluation issued pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:10 and required at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.6.

2. The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, shall forward to the school district that

issued the standard certificate determination a copy of the candidate’s appeal. Within

30 days from the date of the Secretary’s letter notifying the school district of the

appeal, the school district shall forward to the Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, a

copy of all evaluations and the standard certificate recommendation. In addition, the

school district shall submit a copy of either a response to the candidate’s appeal of the

school district’s recommendation or a statement that it will rely solely on the

evaluations submitted. The school district shall serve a copy of its response on the

candidate and include a proof of service with the papers that are forwarded to the

Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee. Neither party shall submit additional papers

without the Secretary’s approval.

3. The candidate shall be responsible for demonstrating to the Board of Examiners why

the candidate should be granted the relief requested. The Board of Examiners shall

decide the appeal based on the written submissions and shall issue a written decision.

4. If the Board of Examiners determines there is a need for further fact-finding to decide

an appeal of a standard certificate determination, the Board of Examiners may transmit

the matter to the OAL for a hearing, pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act,

N.J.S.A. 52:14B-1 et seq., and 52:14F-1 et seq., and the Uniform Administrative

Procedure Rules, N.J.A.C. 1:1. The parties to the hearing shall be the provisional

teacher candidate and the school district that submitted the adverse standard certificate

recommendation. The Board of Examiners shall consider the recommendation of the

ALJ in deciding the appeal.

(b) The sole remedies that the Board of Examiners may provide an aggrieved candidate

pursuant to this section are issuance of a standard certificate or an opportunity to seek

further employment as a provisional teaching staff member. A provisional teaching staff

member who seeks additional relief from the employing school district shall file a petition

requesting such relief with the Commissioner in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:3.

above and (d)1 below.

(d) A candidate who is ineligible for a certificate and who does not contest the standard

certificate determination pursuant to (a) above may petition the Board of Examiners for

approval of an additional opportunity to seek provisional employment. The candidate shall

be responsible for demonstrating to the Board of Examiners by clear and convincing

evidence why the candidate would likely succeed if granted the requested opportunity.

The following procedures shall apply:

1. Within 60 days of receipt of the standard certificate determination, the candidate

shall file a copy of a written submission, a sworn statement attesting to the

submission’s facts, and evidence documenting why the Board of Examiners should

grant the request. The candidate shall provide a copy of the final evaluation issued

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:10 and required at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.6.

2. The Secretary shall forward to the school district a copy of the candidate’s

submission. Within 30 days from the date of the Secretary’s letter to the school

district, the school district shall forward to the Secretary its response to the

candidate’s request. The school district shall serve a copy of its response on the

candidate and include a proof of service with the papers that are forwarded to the

Secretary pursuant to this section. Neither party shall file additional papers without

the Secretary’s approval.

3. The Board of Examiners shall decide the request based solely the written

submissions and shall issue a written decision.

(e) No candidate shall have the right to relief pursuant to both (a) and (d) above. If a candidate

requests both types of relief, the Board of Examiners shall provide the candidate an

opportunity to elect which specific type of relief is sought. The Board of Examiners shall

not proceed with hearing the appeal until the candidate has requested a specific remedy.

6A:9B-4.14 Motions

(a) All motions in certification matters that have been transmitted to the OAL will be filed with

the ALJ who has been assigned to hear the case and are subject to the rules that govern OAL

hearings. For matters the Board of Examiners is deciding directly, pursuant to N.J.A.C.

6A:9B-4.6, or for matters in which the ALJ has forwarded the initial decision to the Board

of Examiners, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 1:1-18.1(e), the party shall file motions with the Board

of Examiners. All motions made prior to the Board of Examiners’ decision to hear a matter

directly shall be filed with the Board of Examiners.

(b) All motions filed with the Board of Examiners shall include a notice of motion, a proof of

service, a brief conforming to the requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.17, a copy of the

decision or order that is the subject of the motion, and an affidavit setting forth any fact not

in the record upon which the moving party relies. The moving party shall serve on the Board

of Examiners a copy of the moving papers and a proof of service. If the Board of Examiners

is not deciding the matter directly, the moving party shall serve a copy of the papers on the

attorney representing the Board of Examiners. The opposing party shall have 15 days from

service of the motion to file a response. If no opposing brief is filed, the Board of Examiners

shall consider the motion to be unopposed. No other briefs may be filed.

(d) Upon application of any party for an extension of time, the Secretary may extend the time

for filing a motion or for filing the response to a motion, provided the extension

application is requested prior to the expiration for filing or responding to a motion.

6A:9B-4.15 Motions for reconsideration

(a) Any party may file with the Board of Examiners, and serve on all other parties, a motion

to reconsider the Board of Examiners’ decision. The party shall file the motion no later

than 15 days from the decision’s mailing date.

(b) The Board of Examiners may reconsider the decision based on evidence of:

1. Mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect;

2. Newly discovered information that would likely alter the decision and could not

have been discovered by due diligence in time for the hearing; or

3. Fraud, misrepresentation, or misconduct of another party.

6A:9B-4.16 Motions for stay

(a) A determination of revocation and/or suspension shall be effective upon the date

contained within the decision. To stay the decision’s effective date, the Board of

Examiners must grant a motion to stay the decision.

1. A party shall make a motion for a stay of the Board of Examiners’ decision pending

appeal to the Commissioner in accordance with the procedures at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.14.

2. The moving party shall file the motion for a stay within 30 days of the mailing date

of the Board of Examiners’ decision that is at issue.

3. The Board of Examiners shall meet to hear the motion to stay within 20 days of the

date the motion is filed. A written decision on the motion shall not be required, but

the Board of Examiners shall notify the moving party of the decision within five

days of reviewing the motion and any opposition.

(b) The brief in support of the motion shall address the following standards to be met for

granting a stay pursuant to Crowe v. DeGioia, 90 N.J. 126 (1982):

1. The moving party will suffer irreparable harm if the requested relief is not granted;

2. The legal right underlying the moving party’s claim is settled;

3. The moving party has a likelihood of prevailing on the merits of the underlying claim; and

4. When the equities and interests of the parties are balanced, the moving party will

suffer greater harm than the other party if the requested relief is not granted.

6A:9B-4.17 Briefs and exceptions

(a) Briefs filed with the Board of Examiners in response to a notice of hearing served

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.6 or in support of a motion shall not exceed 15 pages,

exclusive of table of contents and appendix.

(b) Exceptions and reply exceptions filed in response to an initial decision issued by the OAL

shall not exceed 15 pages.

6A:9B-4.18 Appeal of Board of Examiners decisions

A party may appeal adverse revocation and suspension decisions in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:4. A

party may appeal all other Board of Examiners’ decisions to the Commissioner pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:3.

Subchapter 5. General Certification Policies

6A:9B-5.1 Certificate required

(a) Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:26-2, any person employed as a teaching staff member by a

district board of education shall hold a valid and appropriate certificate.

(b) In addition to the requirements set forth in this subchapter, the certificate holder shall

obtain any license, certificate, or authorization required by State or Federal law, a

licensing board, or N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.1 and 4.2 for the individual to serve in a position.

The district board of education that is considering employing the individual shall ensure

the candidate holds all necessary licenses, certificates, or authorizations.

who fails to maintain the mandated license, certificate, or authorization as set forth at (b)

above. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.3(a), the school district also shall report to the Board

of Examiners the teaching staff member’s name.

6A:9B-5.2 Types of certificates or credentials

(a) Candidates for licensure may apply for the following certificates or credentials:

1. Certificate of eligibility;

2. Certificate of eligibility with advanced standing;

3. Provisional certificate;

4. Standard certificate;

5. Emergency certificate;

6. Limited certificate for noncitizen teachers;

7. Substitute credential;

8. Limited certificate of eligibility;

9. Limited certificate of eligibility with advanced standing; and/or

10. Nonresident military spouse temporary instructional certificate.

6A:9B-5.3 Issuance of a certificate

(a) The Board of Examiners shall issue three categories of educational certificates:

Instructional, Administrative, and Educational Services.

(b) The Board of Examiners shall issue the appropriate certificate upon the candidate’s completion

of all certification requirements in effect at the time the Office receives the application.

Requirements include, but are not limited to, coursework, degree, assessments, fees, GPA, and

all certificate rules at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8 through 15. An application shall be deemed filed when

the Office has received the application and all required supporting documentation.

evaluation that identifies the deficiency(ies) for certification.

6A:9B-5.4 Certification responsibilities of the district board of education

(a) The chief school administrator of the employing district board of education shall require

each newly employed teaching staff member, or each teaching staff member reassigned to

a new grade level, subject area, or administrative position, to produce an appropriate

certificate before the employee assumes any responsibility for the performance of assigned

duties. The chief school administrator shall ensure the certificate is valid.

(b) Each chief school administrator annually shall report the names and teaching assignments

of all teaching staff members to the Department in a Commissioner-prescribed format.

employing district board of education is notified, in writing, by the executive county

superintendent, or otherwise ascertains, that the teaching staff member is not, or has

ceased to be, the holder of an appropriate certificate required for such employment. A

teaching staff member’s employment shall cease and terminate even if the term of

employment pursuant to a contract or an engagement has not expired.

(d) If a properly notified district board of education fails to terminate the employment of an

uncertified or improperly certified teaching staff member, the Commissioner may issue an order

to show cause why an amount equaling the teaching staff member’s per diem salary for each

day the teaching staff member remains employed should not be withheld from the school

district’s State financial aid. If the district board of education fails to respond or show adequate

cause within 20 days from the date the order to show cause was mailed, the Commissioner may

reduce the school district’s State financial aid by the determined amount of the uncertified or

improperly certified teaching staff member’s per diem salary. The district board of education

may show adequate cause either by exhibiting an appropriate certificate or by terminating the

employment of the uncertified or improperly certified teaching staff member.

6A:9B-5.5 Assignment of titles

(a) Each district board of education shall assign to teaching staff members position titles that are

recognized by the Department. To this end, the Department shall maintain and make available

to school districts a list of approved job titles with corresponding authorized certificates.

(b) If a district board of education desires to use an unrecognized position title, or if a

previously established unrecognized title exists, the following procedures shall apply:

1. Prior to appointing a candidate, the district board of education shall submit to the

executive county superintendent a written request, including a detailed job

description, for permission to use the proposed title.

2. The executive county superintendent shall exercise his or her discretion regarding

approval of the request and shall determine the appropriate certification and title

for the position.

position titles and shall determine whether the titles will be continued for the next school year.

(d) Decisions rendered by executive county superintendents regarding titles and certificates

for unrecognized positions shall be binding upon future seniority determinations on a

case-by-case basis.

6A:9B-5.6 Fees

(a) The fee schedule at (b) below shall be in addition to any tuition and fees for courses and

credits offered in connection with Department-approved educator preparation programs

and/or assessments required for certification.

(b) The following nonrefundable fee schedule applies:

1. For each CE and CEAS, which includes the issuance of the provisional certificate

and standard certificate – $170.00;

2. For each emergency certificate – $95.00;

3. For each substitute credential – $125.00;

4. For each renewal of an emergency or provisional certificate – $70.00;

5. For each name change in the certification system – $20.00;

6. For each evaluation of credentials to determine eligibility to take a particular State

certification examination or to obtain information concerning qualifications for

certification – $70.00;

7. For each standard certificate issued without a prior provisional certificate – $95.00;

8. For each certificate that requires an assessment, a one-time assessment score

service fee – $20.00;

9. For each letter the Office sends in response to a candidate’s written request to verify

assessment scores no longer available from the testing company – $25.00;

10. For an academic qualifying credential, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-41 – $30.00. If

the candidate is not eligible, $20.00 will be refunded;

11. Upon completion of a Commissioner-approved administrator residency program, a

one-time administrative fee – $200.00;

12. Upon completion of a Commissioner-approved CE educator preparation program

for holders of an instructional CE, a one-time administrative fee – $100.00; and

13. For each limited CE and CEAS in instructional areas, which includes the issuance

of the provisional certificate and standard certificate – $170.00.

duty military spouses for an initial application.

6A:9B-5.7 Citizenship requirement

(a) Except as set forth below, an applicant shall be a citizen of the United States to be eligible

for a certificate.

1. Any citizen of another country who has declared an intention of becoming a

United States citizen and who is otherwise qualified may be granted, with the

Commissioner’s approval, a teaching certificate for employment as a teacher by a

district board of education as set forth at N.J.S.A. 18A:26-1. The certificate shall

expire five years after issuance.

i. After the first five-year period, the certificate may be renewed up to three times,

but not to exceed 20 years, upon demonstration that an application for

citizenship continues to be in process and actively pursued by the applicant.

ii. The Board of Examiners may revoke a noncitizen certificate, pursuant to

N.J.S.A. 18A:26-8.1, if the Board of Examiners is satisfied that the

certificate holder has abandoned efforts to become a United States citizen

or has become disqualified for citizenship.

2. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:26-1, any citizen of another country who is

employed as an exchange teacher by a district board of education, pursuant to

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.11, shall be exempt from the citizenship requirement. The teacher

shall file with the district board of education a noncitizen oath to support the

Constitution of the United States while employed, as required at N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.

3. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:26-1, any citizen of another country who is

eligible for a limited certificate for noncitizen teachers for employment by a public

school district, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.14, shall be exempt from the

citizenship requirement. The teacher shall file with the district board of education a

noncitizen oath to support the Constitution of the United States while employed, as

required at N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.

4. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:26-1, a teacher of world languages who has been

a resident of the United States for less than 10 years and who is not a citizen of the

United States may be granted a teaching certificate and employed as a teacher by a

district board of education. The teacher shall file with the district board of

education a noncitizen oath to support the Constitution of the United States while

employed, as required at N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7. The teacher shall not be required to

complete the affidavit of intent to become a United States citizen. The noncitizen

certificate shall be issued for a period of time equivalent to the 10 years less the

number of years that the teacher has been a resident of the United States. This

period shall not exceed 10 years and shall not be renewed.

5. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:28-3, no teaching staff member shall acquire

tenure unless the teaching staff member is, or until the teaching staff member

becomes, a citizen of the United States.

6A:9B-5.8 Minimum degree and age requirement

Applicants for teaching certificates shall be at least 18 years old, have graduated from an approved

high school or have an equivalent education as determined by the Board of Examiners, and have

received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited higher education institution. The requirement of a

bachelor’s degree shall not apply to applicants for career and technical education endorsements as

set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-11.3, for educational interpreter endorsements as set forth at N.J.A.C.

6A:9B-14.18, or for military science endorsements as set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-11.8.

6A:9B-5.9 Examination in physiology, hygiene, and substance abuse issues requirement

Candidates for instructional certificates shall pass an examination in physiology, hygiene, and

substance abuse issues. This examination may be course-related or may stand alone. The

Department, or each educator preparation program approved pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9A, shall

design, administer, and evaluate the examination for applicants for certification.

6A:9B-5.10 Certification of military personnel and nonresident active-duty military spouses

(a) This section applies to former and current United States military personnel, including, but

not limited to, veterans, active-duty, National Guard, and reserves.

(b) Military personnel who received an evaluation for certification before entering the military

may continue under that evaluation, subject to the following provisions:

1. A request for reinstatement of the preservice status is made within a period of time

equivalent to the length of the military service; and

2. A copy of a note of discharge or release under conditions other than dishonorable

from the service is submitted.

military personnel shall be subject to the rules at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8 through 15.

(d) To prove military status, candidates shall submit either a copy of a DD214 with note of

discharge or release under conditions other than dishonorable or a copy of a valid military

identification card.

(e) Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:26-2.14, a nonresident active-duty military spouse may apply for

a temporary instructional certificate that authorizes employment as a teacher in New

Jersey in accordance with the eligibility requirements and process at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.10.

6A:9B-5.11 Exchange teachers

(a) A district board of education may employ a teacher from another state or country in

exchange for one of its own teaching staff members for a period of up to one school year.

The district board of education shall adopt a resolution stating the exchange teacher is

employed as a substitute teacher for that teaching staff member during that school year.

(b) If the exchange teacher is a foreign national, the teacher shall comply with the requirements

at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.7(a)2.

substitute credential to the exchange teacher, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.6.

6A:9B-5.12 Emergency certificate for candidates for educational services certificates

(a) An emergency certificate may be issued at any time during the academic year.

(b) All emergency certificates shall expire on July 31 of each year regardless of issuance date.

the executive county superintendent for an emergency certificate for a candidate in

authorized educational services areas if the chief school administrator, or the chief school

administrator’s designee, can demonstrate the inability to locate a qualified candidate with

the required certificate for the position due to unforeseen shortages or other extenuating

circumstances. The executive county superintendent may approve the application upon

determining that there are no suitable certified candidates to fill the position.

(d) With the exception of the educational interpreter endorsement pursuant to N.J.A.C.

6A:9B-14.18(d) and (e), the certificate shall be renewable annually, up to a maximum of

two times, at the request of the chief school administrator and approval of the executive

county superintendent. Renewal shall be predicated upon demonstration of progress

toward successful completion of coursework and assessments required for issuance of a

CE, CEAS, or standard certificate. A candidate serving under an emergency certificate

shall be employed under an emergency certificate for no more than a total of three years in

any one educational services endorsement area regardless of the number of school districts

in which the candidate serves.

(e) An emergency certificate shall be valid for employment only in the school district

requesting the emergency certificate.

6A:9B-5.13 Interstate contracts

In accordance with the NASDTEC Interstate Contract, the Commissioner and the Secretary may

enter into contracts with other states to allow reciprocity of teachers’ credentials between New

Jersey and other states.

6A:9B-5.14 Limited certificate for noncitizen teachers

(a) Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:26-1 and 8.1, a limited certificate for noncitizen teachers shall

be a non-renewable certificate issued to citizens of other countries and shall be valid for

three years. Certificate issuance shall be contingent upon the following:

1. The candidate’s enrollment in an international agency or program approved by the

candidate’s country of origin; and

2. The candidate’s completion of the requirements at (d) below.

(b) Prior to hiring a noncitizen teacher, the district board of education shall:

1. Demonstrate to the executive county superintendent its inability to locate a qualified

teacher with the required certification for the position;

2. Submit to the executive county superintendent the candidate’s application and

supporting documentation; and

3. Maintain all documentation of its effort to employ an appropriately certified teacher.

board of education shall submit, on a candidate’s behalf, evidence of the following:

1. Completion of a degree that is equivalent to a United States bachelor’s degree as

determined by a Department-approved international credentials evaluation service;

2. Completion of an academic major in the subject to be taught. Candidates hired to

teach world languages shall be exempt from this requirement;

3. Achievement of the GPA requirement as set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2(a)3;

4. Completion of a college educator preparation program in the candidate’s home

country as certified by a Department-approved international credentials evaluation

service or the international agency or government of the candidate’s country of

origin, pursuant to (a) above;

5. Certification by the agency verifying the candidate’s valid authorization to teach in

the candidate’s home country;

6. Certification by the agency verifying the candidate has completed a minimum of three

years of successful full-time teaching experience in the subject area to be taught.

World language teachers shall present evidence of three years of successful full-time

teaching experience in any subject. The teacher may teach their native language upon

demonstration of oral language proficiency as certified by the agency; and

7. Completion of a Department-approved, nationally recognized test assessing the

ability to speak, read, and write the English language fluently.

(d) The holder of a limited certificate for noncitizen teachers shall be permitted to teach in

bilingual education programs in the language that was the medium of instruction in the

certificate holder’s educator preparation program, and in the content area and/or grade

level of preparation in the certificate holder’s country of origin.

(e) The candidate shall sign a notarized noncitizen oath to support the Constitution of the

United States.

(f) An agency or non-United States government seeking to operate a noncitizen teacher

placement program in New Jersey may enter into an agreement with the Department

stipulating the agency’s or non-United States government’s role in fulfilling the section’s

requirements. The agency or non-United States government placing noncitizen teachers

pursuant to this section shall provide to the Department, upon request, at least, but not

limited to, the following documentation:

1. Evidence of U.S. State Department authorization to sponsor J-1 visas;

2. A description of the program, including orientation materials and procedures,

references from other states’ agencies, and demonstration of prior experience in

noncitizen teacher recruitment and placement; and

3. A description of the process by which the agency or non-United States government

determines the noncitizen teacher’s U.S. bachelor’s degree equivalency, college

teacher preparation equivalency, authorization to teach, oral language proficiency,

and successful teaching experience.

(g) An agency or non-United States government shall provide to school districts and

noncitizen teachers assistance with all aspects of the teacher placement process, including,

but not limited to the following:

1. Recruitment and screening of qualified noncitizen teachers;

2. Orientation to prepare noncitizen teachers for their teaching assignments and daily

life in the school community;

3. Orientation to prepare school districts to host noncitizen teachers;

4. Enrollment of noncitizen teachers in a health and accident insurance coverage plan

that meets the requirements of the U.S. State Department for obtaining the J-1 visa;

5. Assignment of noncitizen teachers to instruct within their respective disciplines

and provision of an ongoing monitoring and support system;

6. Replacement of any teacher whose performance is not satisfactory, as determined by

the employing school district pursuant to the terms of the contract between the agency

or non-United States government and employing school district; and

7. Determination of responsibility for payment of the program costs. The school district,

the noncitizen teacher, and the agency shall determine who will incur the costs of

sponsoring the noncitizen teacher pursuant to a contract signed by all parties. To

maintain Department approval, the agency shall provide the Department with a

current fee schedule outlining anticipated costs for participation in the program.

(h) An agency approved pursuant to this section shall be subject to periodic review. If the

Department determines at any time during the agency’s operation in New Jersey that it has

failed to meet the criteria in this section, the agency shall cease operations in the State

upon Department notification.

(i) The Board of Examiners may revoke or suspend a limited certificate for noncitizen

teachers in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.4, 4.5, and 4.6.

6A:9B-5.15 Persons employed to coach or serving as coach for interscholastic swimming

and/or diving programs

(a) Persons employed to coach or serving as coach for interscholastic swimming and/or

diving programs shall:

1. Hold a New Jersey certificate pursuant to the rules for hiring athletics personnel at

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.16(b); and

2. Meet the requirements for water safety training at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-11.10(a)2, 3, and 4.

(b) The chief school administrator of the employing district board of education shall:

1. Annually notify the executive county superintendent of all persons employed to coach

or serving as coach for interscholastic swimming and/or diving programs; and

2. Annually forward to the executive county superintendent copies of each valid

certificate required at (a)2 above for every person employed to coach or serving as

coach for interscholastic swimming and/or diving programs.

6A:9B-5.16 Athletics personnel

(a) Any teaching staff member employed by a district board of education shall be permitted to

organize students for purposes of coaching or for conducting games, events, or contests in

physical education or athletics.

(b) School districts may employ any holder of either a New Jersey teaching certificate or a

substitute credential, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7, to work in the interscholastic athletic

program, provided the position has been advertised. The 20-day limitation noted at

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.3(a) shall not apply to such coaching situations.

6A:9B-5.17 Educational technology resources and tools

(a) Every teacher shall demonstrate knowledge and understanding of educational technology

resources and tools as described by the Professional Standards for Teachers at N.J.A.C. 6A:9-3.

(b) An endorsement shall not be required to deliver instruction in the use of educational

technology resources and tools, except where career and technical endorsements are

required for the related career clusters, career education, and consumer, family, and life

skills, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.4.

resources and tools related to the content area being taught.

(d) The chief school administrator, or the chief school administrator’s designee, may assign

an individual to provide instruction in the use of educational technologies if the individual:

1. Demonstrates proficiency in the uses of educational technologies and understands their

common applications in an educational setting;

2. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the integration in the curriculum of

educational technologies;

3. Demonstrates understanding of the legal and ethical issues surrounding the use of

educational technologies in preschool through grade 12 schools; and

4. Holds a CE, CEAS, or standard certificate in an instructional field.

Subchapter 6. College Courses and Certification

6A:9B-6.1 Validation of college degrees and college professional preparation

(a) A candidate for certification shall hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited

college or university or a foreign higher education institution recognized by international

accreditation agencies at the time of degree conferral.

(b) To meet the CEAS requirements, a candidate shall complete a CEAS educator preparation

program, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2, and coursework from the following entities

shall be accepted:

1. A New Jersey college or university approved by the Commissioner for the

preparation of teachers;

2. Out-of-State colleges approved by the state board, department of education, or

department of higher education in the state in which the college is established and

approved by the Department on the basis of reciprocal agreements; and

3. Accredited two-year colleges, provided the courses are accepted toward meeting the

requirements for certification by a college or university approved by the Department.

accredited college or university, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii. Except as provided

for at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-14.18, academic preparation for all administrative and educational

services endorsements shall appear on the transcript of an accredited college or university.

6A:9B-6.2 Recognition of advanced standing in a college

(a) Advanced work completed in secondary school that is assigned college credit by the

higher education institution the candidate attends shall be counted toward meeting the

requirements for certification.

(b) When an accredited college or university grants advanced standing but does not award

college credit for courses that were waived, the Department may accept the study that the

college waived as college credit for purposes of certification.

6A:9B-6.3 Course information

(a) Courses completed by correspondence or distance learning may be accepted for

certification purposes only if they are completed through an accredited college or

university and appear on an official transcript from the college or university.

(b) Teaching a course in an accredited college or university shall be deemed the equivalent of having

presented the course on a college transcript. Evidence of such teaching shall be submitted in the

form of an original letter from the college president, dean, or authorized designee.

6A:9B-6.4 Equivalency of coursework completed in other countries

(a) An applicant for a CE or CEAS who has completed college-level study in a country other

than the United States shall present to the Office an equivalency report of that study from

a Department-approved credentials evaluation agency.

(b) The Office shall accept only equivalency reports that include the following:

1. Courses that are equivalent to courses from a United States accredited four-year

college or university;

2. A course-by-course listing and the semester-hour equivalent of each area of college-

level study; and

3. The applicant’s GPA at the conclusion of the degree program.

Subchapter 7. Substitute Credential

6A:9B-7.1 Issuance of substitute credential for positions requiring instructional certificates

(a) Pursuant to the limitations at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.3(a), the substitute credential shall apply to a

person who temporarily replaces a certified and regularly employed classroom teacher who is

absent, or to a person who temporarily fills a vacancy. The assignment of a person with a

substitute credential shall be made in accordance with (d) below and N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.7.

(b) Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:6-38, the Board of Examiners shall issue substitute credentials and

may revoke or suspend them in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.4, 4.5, and 4.6.

an administrative certificate, or an educational services certificate shall not be required to

obtain a substitute credential before serving as a substitute teacher.

(d) Holders of a CE with a career and technical education endorsement or a standard

certificate with a career and technical education endorsement shall obtain a substitute

credential before serving as a substitute teacher.

6A:9B-7.2 Substitute credential requirements

(a) A candidate, or the candidate’s designee, shall apply to the executive county

superintendent for a substitute credential.

(b) A candidate for a substitute credential shall present documentation of a minimum of 30

semester-hour credits completed at an accredited college or university, unless the

candidate qualifies for the career and technical education substitute credential, pursuant to

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.4.

application, official transcripts, signed and endorsed oath of allegiance, academic

credentials, and appropriate fee, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.6(b)3, to the executive

county superintendent for review and approval.

(d) A substitute credential shall be valid for five years from the date of issuance. Up to six

months before expiration, a candidate may reapply for the substitute credential in

accordance with this section.

(e) Prior to employment, the employing school district shall require any person serving as a

substitute teacher to pass a criminal history background check unless the school district’s

chief school administrator can demonstrate to the Commissioner that special circumstances

justify a substitute teacher’s emergent employment in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.1c.

6A:9B-7.3 Time-period limitations for serving as a substitute teacher

(a) Holders of a substitute credential or holders of administrative or educational services

certificates without an instructional CE, CEAS, or standard certificate shall substitute for

no more than 20 instructional days in the same classroom per school year.

(b) Holders of the following qualifications shall be permitted to substitute in any school

district for no more than 40 instructional days in the same classroom per school year:

1. Instructional CE, CEAS, or a standard certificate with an endorsement not within

the scope of the subject being taught;

i. The school district shall notify the executive county superintendent if a

holder of an instructional CE or CEAS substitutes for more than 20

instructional days in the same classroom; or

2. Career and technical education substitute credential, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.4.

the scope of the subject being taught shall be permitted to substitute for 60 instructional

days in the same classroom per school year unless the school district notifies the executive

county superintendent of an extension. The school district’s notification shall demonstrate:

1. The school district was unable to hire an appropriately certified teacher for the

vacant position;

2. The school district is filling the position subject to the limitations in a local

contract or at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.1; and

3. Holders of an instructional CE or CEAS with an endorsement within the scope of

the subject being taught meet the following provisions:

i. CE or CEAS holders obtain a provisional certificate;

ii. CE or CEAS holders are enrolled in a district mentoring program upon

obtaining a provisional certificate; and

iii. CE holders are accepted into a CE educator preparation program and will

begin coursework in the program’s next available cohort.

6A:9B-7.4 Career and technical education substitute credential

(a) The career and technical education substitute credential shall be required for a holder to

serve as a substitute teacher for specific career and technical education skills.

1. All requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.1 and 7.2, except the 30 general semester-

hour credits requirement at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.2(b), shall apply to this credential.

Instead of the 30 general semester-hour credits requirement, a career and technical

education substitute credential shall be issued to a candidate who presents two

years of full-time work or teaching experience in the appropriate career cluster.

The experience shall be documented by an experience statement from an employer

or presentation of a valid State or out-of-State occupational license.

(b) The holder of a career and technical education substitute credential shall be subject to the

time period limitations at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.3(b).

6A:9B-7.5 Substitute credential for positions not requiring instructional certificates

(a) The Board of Examiners may issue a substitute school nurse/non-instructional credential

to the holder of a valid New Jersey registered professional nurse license.

1. A substitute school nurse/non-instructional may serve a total of 60 instructional

days in the same position in one school district during the school year.

(b) The Board of Examiners may issue a substitute educational interpreter credential to

candidates with an associate or higher degree and who have completed the Educational

Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) with a minimum score of 3.5 or demonstrated

interpreting skills as evidenced through the possession of a sign language certificate from

the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or other Department-approved national

accrediting agency for sign language interpreting. Substitute educational interpreters may

serve for up to six months during the academic year.

6A:9B-7.6 Substitute credential for exchange teachers

A district board of education employing a teacher from another state or another country as an

exchange teacher in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.11(c) shall request that the Board of

Examiners issue a substitute credential to the exchange teacher, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-

5.11(c). The exchange teacher may serve for up to one year, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.11(a).

6A:9B-7.7 Fulfilling teacher vacancies and absences

(a) If a teaching position becomes vacant through retirement, resignation, or other cause for

permanent departure from employment, the position shall be:

1. Temporarily covered by a substitute teacher; and

2. Permanently filled by the holder of a CE, CEAS, or standard certificate as quickly

as possible ,but no later than 45 calendar days after the vacancy’s posting.

i. At the school district’s request, the executive county superintendent may

extend to 60 calendar days the requirement to permanently fill the vacancy.

ii. School districts filling long-term vacancies with CE or CEAS holders

pursuant to this subchapter shall register certificate holders for a

provisional certificate pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4.

(b) When a teacher holding an instructional certificate is expected to be absent for five or

more consecutive instructional days, a school district shall make every reasonable effort to

temporarily replace the teacher according to the following priority order:

1. A holder of a CE, CEAS, or standard certificate with an endorsement in the subject

area or grade level appropriate to the classroom;

2. A holder of a CE, CEAS, or standard certificate with an endorsement outside the

subject area or grade level appropriate to the classroom; and

3. A holder of a substitute credential or an administrative or educational services certificate.

secure a substitute teacher appropriate pursuant to this subchapter.

Subchapter 8. Requirements for Instructional Certification

6A:9B-8.1 Instructional certificate

(a) Except as indicated at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.8, candidates for a standard instructional certificate

first shall obtain a CEAS or a CE, and then shall obtain a provisional certificate.

(b) The Board of Examiners shall issue the certificates at (a) above based on the requirements

set forth in this subchapter and at N.J.A.C. 6A:9A.

educator preparation program in which the candidate is enrolled may submit the requisite

information on the candidate’s behalf.

6A:9B-8.2 Requirements for certificates of eligibility with advanced standing (CEAS)

(a) Except as indicated at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-10 and 11, the candidate shall meet the following

criteria to be eligible for a CEAS in instructional areas:

1. Hold a bachelor’s or an advanced degree from an accredited college or university;

2. Meet all minimum requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5, including, but not limited to,

citizenship, age, and the examination in physiology, hygiene, and substance abuse;

3. Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A grade for

candidates graduating on or after September 1, 2016, in a bachelor’s degree program,

higher degree program, or a State-approved post-baccalaureate certification program.

i. A candidate whose college transcript(s) demonstrates completion of all

requirements for graduation prior to September 1 in any year, but whose

bachelor’s or higher degree was conferred between September 1 and

December 31 of the same year, shall be deemed to have graduated prior to

September 1 of the same year.

ii. A candidate who does not meet the 3.00 GPA requirement shall meet the

exception criteria at (c) below.

4. Satisfy the endorsement requirements and exceptions pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9 10,

through 11, including, but not limited to, passing the appropriate State test(s) of subject

matter knowledge and completing the required subject-area course requirements;

5. Be recommended for State licensure by a New Jersey educator preparation

program approved pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-3, or an out-of-State program

approved by the state in which it is located and pursuant to the out-of-State

program rules at (b)2 through 5 below;

i. The New Jersey educator preparation program and out-of-State program

shall submit the recommendation on an Office-provided form; and

6. Pass a Commissioner-approved performance-based assessment of teaching if

graduated on or after September 1, 2017.

(b) To be eligible for a CEAS in instructional fields, the candidate shall complete one of the

following educator preparation programs that shall include supervised clinical practice:

1. A New Jersey educator preparation program, graduate or undergraduate, approved

by the Commissioner pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-3;

2. An educator preparation program included in the interstate certification reciprocity

system of NASDTEC;

3. An out-of-State educator preparation program approved by the Commissioner or

any other national professional education accreditation body recognized by the

Council on Higher Education Accreditation;

4. An educator preparation program approved for certification by the Department in

one of the states party to the NASDTEC Interstate Contract, provided the program

was completed on or after January 1, 1964, and the state in which the program is

located would issue the candidate a comparable endorsement; or

5. An out-of-State college educator preparation program approved by the department

of education in the state in which the program is located.

1. A candidate graduating before September 1, 2016, shall achieve a cumulative GPA

of at least 2.75 when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A in a bachelor’s degree program,

higher degree program, or a Commissioner-approved post-baccalaureate

certification program.

2. A candidate with a GPA that is below 3.00, but at least 2.75 when a GPA of 4.00

equals an A grade, and whose score on the appropriate State test of subject matter

knowledge exceeds the passing score by 10 percent or more shall meet the

requirements at (a)2 and 4 above.

(d) A candidate who has graduated from an accredited college or university that does not award

grades and does not calculate GPAs shall be exempt from the requirements at (a)3 above.

1. Upon application, the candidate shall provide the Office with an original registrar's

letter from the college or university bearing the college or university seal and

clarifying the institution's policy regarding GPAs.

2. The candidate shall satisfy all other requirements for certification, without exception.

(e) The GPA requirements and their exceptions at (c) above shall apply to all relevant sections in

this subchapter and for endorsements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9 through 11.

6A:9B-8.3 Requirements for certificates of eligibility (CE)

(a) Except as indicated at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.8, 10, and 11, the candidate shall meet the

following criteria to be eligible for a CE in instructional areas:

1. Hold a bachelor’s or an advanced degree from an accredited college or university;

2. Meet all minimum requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5, including, but not limited to,

citizenship, age, and examination in physiology, hygiene, and substance abuse requirements;

3. Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A grade for

candidates graduating on or after September 1, 2016, in a bachelor’s degree program,

higher degree program, or a State-approved post-baccalaureate certification program.

i. A candidate whose college transcripts demonstrate completion of all

requirements for graduation prior to September 1 in any year, but whose

bachelor’s or higher degree was conferred between September 1 and

December 31 of the same year, shall be deemed to have graduated prior to

September 1 of the same year.

ii. A candidate who does not meet the 3.00 GPA requirement shall meet the

exception criteria at (b) below;

4. Satisfy the endorsement requirements and exceptions pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9, 10,

and 11, including, but not limited to, passing the appropriate State test(s) of subject

matter knowledge and completing the required subject-area course requirements; and

5. Achieve a minimum score established by the Department on a Commissioner-

approved test of basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills, except:

i. A candidate may demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English language

and in mathematics by achieving a minimum score established by the

Commissioner on the SAT, ACT, or GRE pursuant to (a)5i(1) below.

(1) The Department shall maintain on its website a list of Commissioner-

determined qualifying minimum scores for each test, which shall be

the top-half percentile score for all test takers in the year the respective

test was taken, for each year such data is available.

(2) A candidate shall qualify for the exception at (a)5i above only if the

candidate achieves at least the minimum qualifying score posted

pursuant to (a)5i(1) above; or

ii. A candidate may hold a master’s or terminal degree with a minimum GPA

of 3.00 from an accredited institution of higher education.

(b) The following exceptions shall apply to the 3.00 GPA requirement at (a) above:

1. A candidate graduating before September 1, 2016, shall achieve a cumulative GPA

of at least 2.75 when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A in a bachelor’s degree program,

higher degree program, or a Commissioner-approved post-baccalaureate

certification program.

2. A candidate with a GPA that is below 3.00, but at least 2.75 when a GPA of 4.00

equals an A grade, and whose score on the appropriate State test of subject matter

knowledge exceeds the passing score by 10 percent or more shall meet the

requirements at (a)2 and 4 above.

3. A candidate may have a cumulative GPA lower than 3.00, but equal to or higher than

a 2.75 if the candidate is sponsored by a CE educator preparation program prior to

applying for a CE, so long as the candidate is employed while participating in the CE

educator preparation program. The candidate shall submit to the Department

documentation of enrollment with the candidate’s other certification documentation.

i. Candidates sponsored for the purpose of meeting the exception set forth in

this section shall make up no more than 10 percent of a CE educator

preparation program’s annual accepted candidates.

grades and does not calculate GPAs shall be exempt from the requirements at (a)3 above.

1. Upon application, the candidate shall provide the Office with an original registrar’s

letter from the college or university bearing the college or university seal and

clarifying the institution’s policy regarding GPAs.

2. The candidate shall satisfy all other requirements for certification, without exception.

(d) The GPA requirements and their exceptions at (b) and (c) above shall apply to all relevant

sections at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8, 9, 10, and 11.

(e) The candidate shall ensure official test scores are transmitted to the Office from the test vendor.

(f) A candidate who meets all requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2(a)1 through 5 but did not

take a state-approved performance assessment because it was not required for educator

preparation program completion or for completion of an out-of-State certification program,

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2(b), shall be issued a CE. The candidate shall meet all

requirements for provisional and standard certification, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4 and

8.7, respectively, but shall be exempt from:

1. CE requirements at (a) above;

2. The provisional certificate requirement to be enrolled in a CE educator preparation

program, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4(a)4;

3. The provisional certificate renewal requirement to be enrolled in or to have completed

a CE educator preparation program, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.5(b)4; and

4. The standard certificate requirement to complete a CE educator preparation

program, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7(a)4ii.

6A:9B-8.4 Requirements for the provisional certificate

(a) Except as indicated at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.8, 10, and 11, a school district shall submit to the

Office documentation that demonstrates the candidate has met the following requirements

to be eligible for a provisional certificate:

1. Hold a CE or CEAS in the endorsement area required for the teaching assignment;

2. Obtain and accept an offer of employment in a position that requires an

instructional certificate;

3. Be registered in the district mentoring program upon employment and in

accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-4; and

4. For a candidate with a CE, be enrolled in a CE educator preparation program. The

program shall ensure the candidate receives a minimum amount of pre-

professional experience, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-5.3.

i. If employed as a teacher of students with disabilities, the CE educator

preparation program at an accredited college or university in which the

candidate is enrolled shall provide courses on educating students with

disabilities. If the educator preparation program is not at an accredited

college or university, the program shall ensure the candidate is enrolled in

and attending courses on educating students with disabilities through an

alternate program immediately upon starting and throughout the program.

ii. If employed as a bilingual/bicultural teacher, the CE educator preparation

program in which the candidate is enrolled shall ensure the candidate is

enrolled in and attending bilingual/bicultural courses immediately upon

starting and throughout the program.

(b) The effective date of provisional certificate issuance shall be the date on which the CE or

CEAS holder begins employment with the district board of education in a certified position

in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:26-2 and 18A:27-4a. The employing school district shall

31 of the second year regardless of issuance date.

(d) A provisional teacher holding a provisional certificate in, and working under, one

endorsement may seek employment and be employed in more than one school district

during the provisional time period prior to earning the standard certificate.

(e) A new provisional certificate must be issued each time a teacher with a CE or CEAS is

employed by a school district that is different from the school district that submitted the

initial provisional certificate documentation. The two-, four-, and six-year time restraints,

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.5, shall still apply.

(f) A candidate holding a temporary instructional certificate issued pursuant to N.J.A.C.

6A:9B-8.10 who meets all the requirements at (a) above, except (a)1 above, shall be

eligible for a temporary provisional certificate in an appropriate instructional endorsement

area. The temporary provisional certificate shall expire concurrent with the expiration of

the temporary instructional certificate. The temporary provisional certificate in the specific

endorsement area shall not be renewed. The time a candidate is employed under the

temporary provisional certificate shall count toward a candidate’s total allowable

provisional period, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.5(c).

1. A candidate holding a temporary instructional certificate who has already completed

an educator preparation program shall be issued a temporary provisional certificate

without being required to enroll in another educator preparation program.

6A:9B-8.5 Renewal of the provisional certificate

(a) The school district may recommend a provisional teacher for renewal of the teacher’s two-

year provisional certificate if the candidate has not yet completed the requirements for the

standard certificate within the first two years of employment, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-8.7.

1. A provisional teacher who meets the criteria at (a) above but is not renewed for

employment within the same school district following the two-year provisional

certificate may seek and accept, under the same endorsement, a position with

another school district, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4(d).

(b) Except as indicated at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.8, 10, and 11, a candidate shall meet the

following requirements to be eligible for one renewal of a provisional certificate:

1. Hold a CE or CEAS in the endorsement area required for the teaching assignment;

2. Be employed or accept an offer of employment in a position that requires an

instructional certificate;

3. Complete a district mentoring program;

4. Be enrolled in or have completed a CE educator preparation program, if the

candidate has a CE; and

5. Be recommended for renewal by the candidate’s principal pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.6.

period of six years if the candidate fulfills the renewal requirements at (b) above and one

of the following criteria:

1. Holds a CE with a teacher of students with disabilities endorsement, or a CE with a

bilingual/bicultural endorsement, and a CE with an endorsement appropriate to the subject

or grade level to be taught; or holds a CE with an English as a second language

endorsement. The duration of the CE educator preparation program and required

coursework for the endorsement(s) also extends beyond the four-year provisional period; or

2. Does not receive from the school district, by July 31 of the fourth year, the annual

summative rating as required for a standard certificate, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4.

(d) A candidate issued a temporary instructional certificate, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.10,

shall not be eligible for a renewal of a temporary provisional certificate in the specific

endorsement area issued pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4(f).

6A:9B-8.6 Evaluation of a provisional teacher for the standard certificate

(a) Effective for candidates who begin teaching during or after academic year 2015-2016, standard

certificate determinations shall be based on the provisional teacher’s annual summative

evaluations, which shall be conducted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:10 and by an appropriately

certified principal or administrative designee authorized to supervise instructional staff.

1. Standard certificate determinations for candidates who began teaching prior to

academic year 2015-2016 shall be based on performance evaluations aligned with

the Professional Standards for Teachers and based on at least three observations

conducted during the school year but not less than once during each semester.

(b) A provisional teacher who meets all other standard certificate requirements at N.J.A.C.

6A:9B-8.7 shall earn a standard certificate upon receipt of at least two summative evaluation

ratings of effective or highly effective earned within three consecutive years of teaching.

1. If the provisional teacher does not complete the standard certificate requirements

within the first two years of teaching, the provisional certificate may be renewed

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.5 and the provisional teacher shall have an

additional two years to earn at least two effective or highly effective summative

evaluation ratings within three consecutive years of teaching.

ratings earned in any New Jersey school district, the provisional teacher’s principal shall

notify the provisional teacher and the Office that the provisional teacher:

1. Is eligible for a standard certificate because the candidate has earned at least two

effective or highly effective summative evaluation ratings and has completed all other

standard certificate requirements, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7;

2. Is being recommended for a renewal of the provisional certificate, pursuant to

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.5, because the candidate has not yet received at least two effective

or highly effective summative ratings within three consecutive years of teaching;

3. Is not being recommended for a renewal of the provisional certificate for any reason; or

4. Is rendered permanently ineligible for renewal of the provisional certificate, is

prohibited from earning a standard certificate, and is disqualified from seeking

further employment as a teacher in any capacity.

(d) A provisional teacher who is ineligible for a standard certificate and for renewal of the

provisional certificate may appeal the standard certificate determination pursuant to

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.13.

(e) Mentor teachers shall not assess or evaluate the performance of provisional teachers.

Interactions between provisional teachers and experienced mentor teachers are formative

in nature and considered a matter of professional privilege. Mentor teachers shall not be

compelled to offer testimony on the performance of provisional teachers.

(f) The annual summative evaluation rating(s) from each prior employing school district shall

constitute part of the record on which a principal shall base the standard certificate determination.

6A:9B-8.7 Requirements for the standard certificate

(a) Except as indicated at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.8, 10, and 11, the candidate shall meet the

following requirements to be eligible for the standard certificate in any instructional area:

1. Possess a provisional certificate, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4;

2. Be recommended for the standard certificate by the supervising principal based on:

i. Evaluation requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-8.6; and

ii. Successful completion of a district mentoring program, pursuant to

N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-5;

3. Submit to the Department a completed Commissioner-issued teacher candidate survey; and

4. For CE holders, do the following:

i. Effective for candidates who begin teaching during or after academic year

2017-2018, pass the performance assessment if the candidate did not pass it

prior to earning a CE; and

ii. Complete a CE educator preparation program, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-5,

unless exempt under the reciprocity rule at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.8.

(b) A candidate who holds a standard New Jersey instructional certificate shall be eligible for

additional standard certificates if the candidate meets the CEAS requirements of this

subchapter. This provision shall not apply to holders of the military science endorsement.

6A:9B-8.8 Requirements for interstate reciprocity for a CEAS, CE, or standard certificate

(a) Through reciprocity, the Office shall issue an instructional CEAS to candidates who:

1. Have a valid CEAS issued by another state in a subject area or grade level also

offered by the Department, following the completion of a CEAS educator

preparation program that includes clinical practice and endorsement in a subject

that is also issued in New Jersey;

i. Candidates applying for reciprocity for a certificate that requires possession

of, or eligibility for, a CEAS or standard New Jersey instructional certificate

with an endorsement appropriate to the subject or grade level to be taught

shall be exempt from the clinical practice requirement at (a)1 above.

2. Passed a subject-matter test to receive the out-of-State endorsement or passed the

appropriate New Jersey subject-matter test; and

3. Passed a performance assessment that is approved by the state in which the certificate

was issued, unless the candidate holds National Board for Professional Teacher

Standards (NBPTS) or the Meritorious New Teacher Candidate (MNTC) designation.

(b) A candidate who meets all requirements at (a)1 and 2 above but did not take a state-approved

performance assessment because it was not required for educator preparation program

completion or for certification in that state shall be issued a CE. The candidate shall meet all

requirements for provisional and standard certificates pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4 and 8.7,

respectively, but shall be exempt from:

1. CE certification requirements pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3(a);

2. The provisional certification requirement to be enrolled in a CE educator

preparation program, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4(a)4;

3. The renewal of provisional certification requirement to be enrolled in or to have

completed a CE educator preparation program, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.5(b)4; and

4. The standard certification requirement to complete a CE educator preparation

program, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7(a)4ii.

apply to an instructional CE. Candidates who have been issued an out-of-State

instructional CE shall meet all requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3.

(d) Through reciprocity, the Department shall issue an instructional standard certificate to a

candidate who:

1. Has a valid standard certificate issued by another state in an endorsement subject

area or grade level that also is offered by the Department and demonstrates at least

two effective years of teaching that were completed within three consecutive years.

i. The candidate shall provide to the Office an original letter documenting

completion of this requirement from the candidate’s supervisor(s),

principal(s), or employing school district(s) human resources officer; or

2. Meets the requirements at (f) and (g) below.

(e) A candidate who has a valid standard certificate issued by another state, including an

endorsement in a subject area or grade level also offered by the Department, but does not

meet the requirements at (d)1 above shall be issued a CEAS. The candidate shall meet all

requirements for provisional and standard certificates at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4 and 8.7.

(f) A candidate who holds NBPTS certification and the corresponding out-of-State license or

certificate in a subject area or grade level also offered by the Department shall be eligible

for the standard certificate in the NBPTS certificate field without additional requirements.

(g) A candidate who holds the MNTC designation and the corresponding out-of-State license or

certificate in a subject area or grade level also offered by the Department shall be eligible for

the standard certificate in the MNTC-designated field without additional requirements.

(h) Through the Alternate Route Interstate Reciprocity Pilot Program, the Office shall issue an

instructional CE to candidates who:

1. Enroll in a CE educator preparation program participating in the Alternate Route

Interstate Reciprocity Pilot Program, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-5.7;

2. Hold an equivalent, valid CE or provisional instructional certificate issued by another state;

3. Pass a subject-matter test to receive an out-of-State endorsement or the appropriate

New Jersey subject-matter test;

4. Have at least one year of effective teaching experience as documented by a letter

from the candidate’s former supervisor, principal, or employing school district’s

human resource officer; and

5. Demonstrate good standing during previous teaching experience under an out-of-

State certificate.

(i) To be eligible for a provisional certificate, a candidate participating in the Alternate Route

Interstate Reciprocity Pilot Program shall meet all of the requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4.

(j) Through the Alternate Route Interstate Reciprocity Pilot Program, the Office shall issue a

standard certificate to candidates who:

1. Successfully complete a CE educator preparation program while participating in

the Alternate Route Interstate Reciprocity Pilot Program;

2. Pass a State-approved performance assessment or the performance assessment

approved by the state in which the reciprocal certificate was issued prior to entry into

the CE educator preparation program participating in the Alternate Route Interstate

Reciprocity Pilot Program; and

3. Meet the requirements for a standard certificate, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7.

i. A candidate who successfully completes CE educator preparation program

participating in the Alternate Route Interstate Reciprocity Pilot Program may

apply to the Office to have up to one year of effective teaching experience

earned out-of-State, as documented by a letter from the candidate’s former

supervisor, principal, or employing school district’s human resource officer,

apply toward the requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.6(b).

6A:9B-8.9 Requirements for nonpublic school training programs

(a) A nonpublic school may choose to provide a mentoring program for novice teachers,

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-5, if the school meets the following requirements:

1. Prior to enrolling any candidate in a mentoring program, the individual with the

authority to execute binding documents on behalf of the nonpublic school shall

enter into a written agreement with the Department agreeing to comply with all

requirements pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-5.1(b) and (d);

2. A teacher at the nonpublic school in a non-administrative, non-supervisory capacity

who holds a standard New Jersey instructional certificate shall be assigned as the

mentor, or the nonpublic school may choose to assign as a mentor a non-staff

member who meets the criteria at N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-5.2;

3. The school is accredited by an accrediting agency accepted by the Department; and

4. The candidate is employed as a classroom teacher in a position that would require

an appropriate instructional certificate in a public school.

6A:9B-8.10 Nonresident military spouse temporary instructional certificate

(a) To be eligible for the nonresident military spouse temporary instructional certificate, an

applicant shall:

1. Be ineligible for any other instructional endorsement pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-

8.1 through 8.8;

2. Document nonresident active-duty spouse status by submitting a military

dependent identification card;

3. Hold a valid and current license or certificate to teach issued by another state for

which there is an equivalent and currently issued New Jersey endorsement; and

4. Demonstrate competency in teaching through demonstration of either three years of

successful out-of-State teaching pursuant to a validly issued out-of-State teaching

license or meeting the GPA requirement pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2. The

candidate shall submit a letter of experience from a past supervisor or authorized

school district representative or a completed Record of Professional Experience form.

(b) The temporary instructional certificate shall be valid for the time period specified at

N.J.S.A. 18A:26-2.14 and shall not be subject to renewal, but may be extended pursuant to

N.J.S.A. 18A:26-2.14. To continue teaching upon expiration of the temporary

instructional certificate, certificate holders shall apply and be eligible for a certificate

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8 through 13.

endorsement in accordance with (a)3 above to ensure that certificate holders are placed in

classrooms for which they have appropriate content knowledge.

Subchapter 8A. Limited Instructional Certificate of Eligibility and Certificate of Eligibility

with Advanced Standing Pilot Program

6A:9B-8A.1 Scope

(a) Pursuant to P.L. 2021 c. 224, this subchapter’s rules implement a five-year pilot program

for the issuance of limited certificates of eligibility (CEs) and limited certificates of

eligibility with advanced standing (CEASs) in an instructional area.

(b) The five-year pilot program established by the Commissioner will begin in the 2022-2023

school year and will result in the following:

1. A Board of Examiners-issued limited CE or CEAS in an instructional area for

candidates who apply for and meet the criteria established in this subchapter; and

2. A Department-maintained list of Commissioner-approved school districts, charter

schools, and renaissance school projects permitted to hire certificate holders who

have a limited CE or CEAS in an instructional area.

employment in only the school districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects

approved by the Commissioner to participate in the pilot program.

(d) The limited CE and CEAS will not be issued after September 1, 2027.

1. School districts, charter schools, and renaissance school projects approved by the

Commissioner to participate in the pilot program shall ensure that individuals hired

pursuant to the pilot program obtain their provisional certificate by no later than

November 1, 2027.

(e) All limited CEs and CEASs issued pursuant to the pilot program, and existing at the

expiration of the pilot program, shall expire on November 1, 2027.

(f) Throughout this subchapter, “school district” shall refer to school districts, charter

schools, and renaissance school projects that apply to participate in the pilot program or

are approved by the Commissioner to participate as set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8A.2.

6A:9B-8A.2 School district participation

(a) A school district seeking to hire certificate holders of limited CEs or CEASs in an

instructional area pursuant to the pilot program established pursuant to this subchapter

shall first be approved by the Commissioner.

(b) To seek Commissioner approval to hire certificate holders of limited CEs or CEASs in an

instructional area, a school district shall provide to the Commissioner, or the

Commissioner’s designee, the following:

1. A plan to sufficiently support novice teachers in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-5; and

2. Data demonstrating one or more of the following:

i. A demographic disparity between the school district’s or school’s student

population and its teachers;

ii. A shortage of bilingual education teachers within the school district; or

iii. A critical need to fill teacher vacancies or a hardship caused by teacher

vacancies within the school district.

shall be eligible to hire certificate holders of limited CEs or CEASs in an instructional area.

The number of certificate holders of limited CEs or CEASs in an instructional area hired

shall not exceed, at any time during the pilot program, 10 percent of the school district’s

total teacher population as indicated on the school district’s position control roster.

(d) To maintain approved status, a school district previously approved to participate in the

pilot program shall annually submit to the Commissioner a report evaluating the impact of

hiring certificate holders with limited CEs or CEASs in an instructional area. The content

of the annual report shall be cumulative, but disaggregated by school year, to address each

year in which the school district participates in the pilot program. The report shall include,

but not be limited to, the following:

1. The number of certificate holders hired by the school district under the pilot program;

2. The subject areas in which the certificate holders teach and the course(s) they teach;

3. The impact of hiring certificate holders with limited CEs and CEASs on the school

district’s or school’s demographic disparity between its student population and teachers;

4. The effect on the school district’s ability to fill shortages of bilingual education

teachers within the school district;

5. The effect of hiring certificate holders with limited CEs and CEASs on the school

district’s ability to fill teacher vacancies;

6. The student achievement data for students taught by certificate holders who were

hired by the school district under the pilot program;

7. The teacher evaluation data, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:10, and retention data for

certificate holders hired under the pilot program; and

8. Any other information the Commissioner deems necessary, pursuant to section 5 at

P.L. 2021, c. 224.

(e) Approved school districts shall enroll all holders of the limited CE or CEAS in the provisional

teacher program within one month of the certificate holder’s employment start date.

(f) Upon expiration of the pilot program on September 1, 2027, school districts shall not hire

holders of a limited CE or CEAS, unless the candidate holds another certificate required

for employment in the position.

(g) All Commissioner approvals pursuant to this subchapter shall terminate with the

expiration of the pilot program on September 1, 2027.

(h) Certificate holders of a limited CE or CEAS who hold a provisional certificate as of

November 1, 2027, shall be permitted to continue the provisional teacher program within

the time limitations set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4 and 8.5.

6A:9B-8A.3 Limited CE or CEAS in an instructional area requirements

(a) To be eligible for a limited CEAS in an instructional area, the candidate shall successfully

complete a State-approved educator preparation program and meet all requirements for a

CEAS pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2, with the exception of one of the following:

1. The minimum GPA requirement pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2(a)3 and its

exceptions at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2(c); or

2. The minimum passing score on an appropriate State test(s) of subject matter

knowledge pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2(a)4 and the alternative requirements or

exceptions at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)2.

(b) To be eligible for the limited CE in an instructional area, the candidate shall hold a bachelor’s or

an advanced degree pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3(a)1 and shall meet all other requirements for

a CE pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3, with the exception of one of the following:

1. The minimum number of subject area course credits and the alternative

requirements or exceptions at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3(a)4 and 9.1(a)1;

2. The minimum GPA pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3(a)3 and its exceptions at

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3(b);

3. The minimum score on a Commissioner-approved test of basic reading, writing,

and mathematical skills pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3(a)5 and the alternative

requirements or exceptions at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3(a)5i; or

4. The minimum passing score on an appropriate State test(s) of subject matter

knowledge pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3(a)4 and the alternative requirements or

exceptions at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)2.

6A:9B-8A.4 Provisional and standard certificate requirements for certificate holders with a

limited CE or CEAS in an instructional area

(a) The limited CE or CEAS in an instructional area shall satisfy the CE or CEAS requirement at

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.1(a) for purposes of obtaining a provisional certificate until November 1, 2027.

(b) To be eligible for a provisional certificate, a certificate holder with a limited CE or CEAS

shall meet all the requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4.

this pilot program shall meet all the requirements for a standard instructional certificate

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7.

(d) Holders of the limited CE or CEAS shall meet all the requirements for a provisional

certificate at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4 no later than September 1, 2027.

Subchapter 9. Instructional Endorsements

6A:9B-9.1 Endorsement requirements

(a) To fulfill the endorsement requirements necessary for an instructional certificate, pursuant

to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8, the candidate shall:

1. Complete one or more of the following coursework requirements for the subject

area in which the candidate is seeking the endorsement:

i. Complete an undergraduate major in the subject area as documented by an official

transcript from an accredited four-year college or university;

ii. Hold a graduate degree in the subject area; or

iii. Complete at least 30 credits in a coherent sequence of courses appropriate to

the subject area as documented by an official transcript from an accredited

college or university, of which 12 semester-hour credits must be at the

advanced level of study, including junior-, senior-, or graduate-level study as

documented by the official transcript of an accredited college or university;

2. Pass the appropriate State test(s) of subject matter knowledge. If a candidate’s

score on the appropriate State test(s) of subject matter knowledge falls below the

passing score by five percent or less, but the candidate has a GPA of 3.50 or higher

when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A grade, the candidate shall meet this paragraph’s

requirements. This alternative requirement shall not be construed as a waiver

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.12(c).

i. In lieu of passing the State test(s) of subject matter knowledge, a candidate

who completes an out-of-State educator preparation program approved

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2(b)2, 3, 4, and 5, or who holds an out-of-

State equivalent of a CEAS, may pass the equivalent test(s) of subject

matter knowledge approved by the state in which the program is located or

the certificate was issued ; and

3. When applicable, complete additional requirements or exceptions pursuant to

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-11.

(b) Except if certified in an experience-based career and technical education endorsement

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9-11.3 or military science pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9-11.8,

holders of a CE, CEAS, or standard instructional certificate in one endorsement may

obtain the corresponding CE, CEAS, or standard instructional certificate in a different

endorsement upon completion of the academic and test requirements at (a) above and any

additional requirement(s) or exception(s) at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-10 or 11.

6A:9B-9.2 Authorizations – general

(a) Each teaching endorsement shall be required for the corresponding teaching assignment.

1. Each endorsement shall be valid for preschool through grade 12, with the

following exceptions:

i. The elementary school teacher endorsement shall be valid in kindergarten

through grade six. Any holder of the former teacher of elementary school

kindergarten through grade five (K-5) endorsement now shall be authorized

to teach kindergarten through grade six;

ii. The middle school with subject matter specialization endorsement shall be

valid in grades five through eight;

iii. The preschool through grade three endorsement shall be valid in preschool

through grade three; and

iv. The teacher of supplementary instruction in reading and mathematics, kindergarten

through grade eight (K-8) shall be valid in kindergarten through grade eight.

2. Teachers with English endorsements who taught English language arts courses

prior to February 1976 may continue to teach the same course(s).

3. Teachers with elementary school endorsements valid in preschool through grade eight

issued no later than March 1, 2008, may teach in preschool through grade eight in any

employing school district, subject to the qualification for teaching three- and four-year-

old children at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-11.2(b). The teachers shall demonstrate to the school

district they have content knowledge appropriate to the subject(s) taught.

i. All elementary school teachers certified to teach in kindergarten through grade

five after January 20, 2004, and hired to teach in grades six through eight shall

hold either the elementary school with subject-matter specialization or the

subject-matter endorsement.

4. Teachers holding the teacher of the blind or partially sighted, teacher of the deaf or

hard-of-hearing, and/or the teacher of handicapped endorsements issued prior to

September 1, 2008, may teach students with disabilities in preschool through grade 12

if the teachers can demonstrate to the school district content knowledge appropriate to

the content and the content level to be taught.

5. Teachers holding endorsements that are no longer issued may continue to teach in the

subject areas in which the teacher was authorized to teach under the former rules.

6. Career and technical instructional endorsements issued prior to January 20, 2004,

shall remain valid. The teachers may teach in the occupations for which they hold

endorsements. A crosswalk of the former certificates that identifies under which new

career clusters the teacher’s certificate falls is available on the Department’s website.

7. Holders of other endorsements may teach computer science, as defined in Standard

8.1 of the NJSLS, until July 1, 2027. After July 1, 2027, a teacher of computer

science in preschool through grade 12 shall hold a computer science endorsement

issued pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-10.15.

6A:9B-9.3 Department-issued endorsements and authorizations

(a) The teaching endorsements and authorizations at (a)1 through 9 below are grouped within

the relevant NJSLS.

1. Visual and performing arts:

i. Art: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach art in all public schools;

ii. Dance: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach dance in all public schools;

iii. Music: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach vocal and

instrumental music and related theory in all public schools;

iv. Speech arts : This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach speech arts

in all public schools; and

v. Theater: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach theater in all public schools.

2. Comprehensive health and physical education:

i. Health education: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach health

education in all public schools;

ii. Health and physical education: This endorsement authorizes the holder to

teach health and physical education in all public schools;

iii. Physical education: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach

physical education in all public schools;

iv. Swimming and water safety: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach

swimming, diving, and water safety in all public schools; and

v. Driver education: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach driver

education in all public schools.

3. English language arts:

i. English: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach English in all

public schools;

ii. English as a second language: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach

English as a second language in all public schools; and

iii. Reading: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach reading in all

public schools.

4. Mathematics:

i. Mathematics: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach mathematics

in all public schools.

5. Science:

i. Biological science: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach biological,

environmental, and general science in all public schools. Biological science

includes botany, anatomy and physiology, zoology, and biology;

ii. Chemistry: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach chemistry and

environmental and general sciences in all public schools;

iii. Earth science: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach earth,

environmental, and general sciences in all public schools. Earth science

includes astronomy, geology, meteorology, oceanography, physical

geography, and space science;

iv. Physical science: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach physical,

environmental, and general sciences in all public schools. Physical science

includes physics, chemistry, and earth and space sciences other than

geography; and

v. Physics: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach physics and

environmental and general sciences in all public schools.

6. Social studies:

i. Psychology: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach psychology in

all public schools; and

ii. Social studies: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach social

studies in all public schools. Social studies includes American history,

European history, world history, government, political science, sociology,

geography, anthropology, and economics.

7. World languages: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach in all public

schools one of the following designated world languages:

i. American Sign Language;

ii. Chinese;

iii. French;

iv. German;

v. Greek;

vi. Hebrew;

vii. Italian;

viii. Japanese;

ix. Latin;

x. Portuguese;

xi. Russian;

xii. Spanish;

xiii. Hindi;

xiv. Arabic;

xv. Korean; or

xvi. Other world languages.

8. Technology education:

i. This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach technology education in all

public schools with the exception of approved career and technical

education programs. Technology education includes content aligned with

Standard 8.2 of the NJSLS.

ii. A technology education endorsement is not required to teach the use of

educational technology pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.17.

9. Computer science: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach computer science,

as described in Standard 8.1 of the NJSLS, in all New Jersey public schools.

(b) The teaching endorsements below authorize the holder to teach specific populations,

subjects, ages, and/or grade levels:

1. Bilingual/bicultural education: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach

bilingual/bicultural education in all public schools. In addition to the content

area(s) or grade level(s) authorized by the teachers’ endorsement(s), the holder of a

bilingual/bicultural education endorsement also may provide consultative services

and supportive resource programs, including modification and adaptation of

curriculum and instruction to multilingual learners and speakers of English as a

second language in general education programs in preschool through grade 12.

2. Elementary school: This endorsement authorizes the holder to:

i. Serve as an elementary school teacher in kindergarten through grade six in

all public schools;

ii. Teach language arts literacy, mathematics, science, computer and

information literacy, and social studies full-time, integrating educational

technology where appropriate in kindergarten through grade six;

iii. Teach world languages full-time in kindergarten through grade six,

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-10.5;

iv. Teach all remaining subjects no more than one-half of the daily

instructional assignment; and

v. Teach reading, writing, mathematics, and spelling, for basic-skills purposes

only, in grades six through 12.

3. Middle school with subject-matter specialization: This endorsement authorizes the

holder to teach the specialty subjects on the face of the certificate full-time in

grades five through eight in all public schools. This endorsement does not permit

the holder to teach the subject matter specialization in grades nine through 12.

4. Preschool through grade three: This endorsement authorizes the holder to:

i. Teach preschool through grade three in public schools and to teach public

school students in approved settings providing early childhood education;

ii. Teach language arts literacy, mathematics, science, computer and

information literacy, and social studies full-time, integrating educational

technology where appropriate in preschool through grade three;

iii. Teach world languages full-time in preschool through grade three, pursuant

to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-10.5; and

iv. Teach all remaining subjects in preschool through grade three no more than

one-half of the daily instructional assignment.

5. Teacher of supplemental instruction in reading and mathematics, kindergarten

through grade eight: This endorsement authorizes the holder to provide

supplemental, pull-out instruction in reading and mathematics for students in

kindergarten through grade eight. During their provisional teaching period,

teachers holding this endorsement:

i. May not be assigned to more than two schools; and

ii. Shall conduct all teaching in a formal classroom environment with a minimum of

eight students that approximates the experiences that novice teachers are expected

to have, including, but not limited to, lesson planning, effective classroom

management, instructional strategies, and incorporation of the NJSLS.

6. Students with disabilities: The endorsements authorize the holder to teach students

from one of the designated populations listed at (b)6i through iv below. In addition

to the content area(s) or grade level(s) authorized by the teachers’ endorsement(s),

the holder of a special education endorsement also may provide consultative

services and supportive resource programs, including modification and adaptation

of curriculum and instruction to students with disabilities in general education

programs in preschool through grade 12.

i. Blind or visually impaired: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach

blind or visually impaired students;

ii. Deaf or hard of hearing for oral/aural communication: This endorsement

authorizes the holder to teach deaf or hard-of-hearing students using

oral/aural communication strategies;

iii. Deaf or hard of hearing for sign language communication: This

endorsement authorizes the holder to teach deaf or hard-of-hearing students

using sign language communication strategies; and

iv. Students with disabilities: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach

students classified with disabilities with the exception of students identified

at (b)6i, ii, and iii above.

6A:9B-9.4 21st century life and careers, and career and technical education endorsements

and authorizations

(a) The teaching endorsements below authorize the holder to teach kindergarten through

grade 12, including approved career and technical education programs in grades nine

through 12, in all public schools:

1. Business education/business-related technologies: The endorsements authorize the holder

to teach business education and business-related technologies in all public schools.

i. Comprehensive business: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach

accounting, banking and insurance, business computer applications, business

law, business communications, business mathematics, economics and finance,

entrepreneurship, international business, keyboarding, business management,

business organization, marketing, office administration/office systems

technology, and exploration in business-related careers.

ii. Business: accounting: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach accounting,

finance and investment, business mathematics, and exploration of related careers.

iii. Business: finance/economics/law: This endorsement authorizes the holder

to teach finance and investment, economics, law, banking and insurance,

business mathematics, business communications, business management,

business organization, and exploration of related careers.

iv. Business: keyboarding and data entry: This endorsement authorizes the

holder to teach keyboarding, computer data entry, word processing, and

exploration of related careers.

v. Business: computer applications and business-related information technology:

This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach business-related software

applications, safety and security policies pertaining to computer use, emerging

hardware and operating systems, file management, legal issues related to

computer use, and exploration of related business occupations.

vi. Business: office administration/office systems technology: This

endorsement authorizes the holder to teach office organization, word

processing, speed writing, business communication, office and

administrative support practices and procedures, keyboarding, data entry,

and exploration of related business occupations.

vii. Marketing education: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach

marketing occupations including sales, advertising and retailing, global

marketing, entrepreneurship, and exploration of related business occupations.

2. Family and consumer sciences: This endorsement authorizes the holder to teach

family and consumer sciences in all public schools.

i. Comprehensive family and consumer sciences: This endorsement

authorizes the holder to teach family and consumer sciences. Family and

consumer sciences includes: family economics and resource management;

family relations and human development, including child care and

development, and parenting education; housing and environment, including

interior design; nutrition, health, and food management and preparation;

textiles and apparel design, construction, and merchandising; and

exploration in family and consumer sciences related occupations.

ii. Family and consumer sciences: Child and family development: This

endorsement authorizes the holder to teach family relations and human

development -- including parenting education, child care and development,

and operating a preschool in a high school classroom environment,

developing skills needed to deal with crisis in families, handling children

with special needs, and managing family economics and resources -- and to

provide career-related instruction.

iii. Family and consumer sciences: Foods, nutrition, and food science: This

endorsement authorizes the holder to teach nutrition, individual and family food

preparation, food science, managing time and resources related to food

preparation, and exploration of careers in foods and nutrition related occupations.

iv. Family and consumer sciences: Apparel, textiles, and interiors: This

endorsement authorizes the holder to teach textiles and apparel design,

construction, and merchandising, interior design; managing time and

resources related to apparel construction and interior design; and

exploration of careers in apparel, textiles, and interior design.

3. Agriculture, food, and natural resources: This endorsement authorizes the holder to

teach agribusiness systems; animal systems; environmental service systems;

natural resource systems; plant systems; power, structural, and technical systems;

and related technologies in all public schools.

(b) Career and technical education endorsements: The endorsements authorize the holder to

teach approved career and technical education programs in grades nine through 12 in all

public schools, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-11.3. The holder of a standard career

and technical education endorsement who has completed the study requirements in

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-14.19(b)2i and ii, or 14.20(b)2i or ii, is also authorized to place and

supervise career and technical education students in school-sponsored cooperative

education experiences in the occupation in which the holder is certified as part of a career

and technical education program.

Department-approved employment or self-employment experience, bachelor’s degree,

and/or associate degree. Endorsements are organized under the following career clusters

and are listed on the Department’s website:

1. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources: Endorsements are authorized under this career

cluster for career and technical education programs that prepare students for careers

related to the production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing, and development

of agricultural commodities and resources, including food, fiber, wood products, natural

resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products and resources.

2. Architecture and Construction: Endorsements are authorized under this career cluster

for career and technical education programs that prepare students for careers related to

the designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment.

3. Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications: Endorsements are

authorized under this career cluster for career and technical education programs

that prepare students for careers related to the designing, producing, exhibiting,

performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content, including visual and

performing arts and design, journalism, and entertainment services.

4. Business, Management, and Administrative: Endorsements are authorized under

this career cluster for career and technical education programs that prepare

students for careers related to the planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating

business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations.

5. Education and Training: Endorsements are authorized under this career cluster for

career and technical education programs that prepare students for careers related to

the planning, management, and provision of education and training services, and

related learning support services.

6. Finance: Endorsements are authorized under this career cluster for career and technical

education programs that prepare students for careers related to services for financial and

investment planning, banking, insurance, and business financial management.

7. Government and Public Administration: Endorsements are authorized under this career

cluster for career and technical education programs that prepare students for careers

related to governance, national security, revenue and taxation, regulation, and

management and administration at the local, State, and Federal levels.

8. Health Science: Endorsements are authorized under this career cluster for career

and technical education programs that prepare students for careers related to the

planning, management, and provision of therapeutic services, diagnostic services,

support services, and biotechnology research and development.

9. Hospitality and Tourism: Endorsements are authorized under this career cluster for

career and technical education programs that prepare students for careers related to

the management, marketing, and operations of restaurants and other food services,

lodging, attractions, recreation events, and travel-related services.

10. Human Services: Endorsements are authorized under this career cluster for career

and technical education programs that prepare students for careers related to

families and human needs.

11. Information Technology: Endorsements are authorized under this career cluster for

career and technical education programs that prepare students for careers related to

the designing, developing, supporting, and managing hardware, software,

multimedia, and systems integration services.

12. Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security: Endorsements are authorized under

this career cluster for career and technical education programs that prepare

students for careers related to the planning, management, and provision of legal

services, public safety services, protective services, and homeland security,

including professional and technical support services.

13. Manufacturing: Endorsements are authorized under this career cluster for career and

technical education programs that prepare students for careers related to the planning,

management, and performance of materials processing into intermediate or final

products and related professional and technical support activities such as production

planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering.

14. Marketing: Endorsements are authorized under this career cluster for career and

technical education programs that prepare students for careers related to the

planning, management, and performance of marketing activities to reach

organizational objectives.

15. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: Endorsements are authorized

under this career cluster for career and technical education programs that prepare

students for careers related to the planning, management, and provision of

scientific research and professional and technical services, including laboratory

and testing services, and research and development services.

16. Transportation, Distribution and Logistics: Endorsements are authorized under this

career cluster for career and technical education programs that prepare students for

careers related to the planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and

goods by road, pipeline, air, rail, and water, and related professional and technical

support services such as transportation infrastructure planning and management,

logistics services, and mobile equipment and facility maintenance.

(d) School districts seeking to establish a new career and technical education program for

which a career and technical education endorsement does not exist shall submit to the

Department a request to establish a new career and technical education endorsement.

Subchapter 10. Additional Requirements or Exceptions to Requirements

for Instructional Endorsements for Certification

6A:9B-10.1 General provisions

In addition to the requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8 and 9, this subchapter includes requirements for

the instructional endorsement, including specific coursework required for educator preparation

programs that lead to an endorsement in any subject referenced in this subchapter and that are

approved pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9A.

6A:9B-10.2 Elementary school (K-6)

(a) A candidate for the elementary school (K-6) endorsement shall complete all of the certification

requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8 and 9, with the exception of N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1.

(b) A candidate for the elementary school (K-6) endorsement also shall complete:

1. A liberal arts, science, dual-content, or interdisciplinary academic major; or

2. A minimum of 60 semester-hour credits in liberal arts and/or science, as

documented on a transcript from an accredited college or university for a candidate

who begins a CEAS education preparation program on or before August 31, 2025.

i. A candidate who enters a CEAS educator preparation program on or after

September 1, 2025, shall complete a minimum of 30 semester-hour credits

in core-content subject areas, including English, mathematics, social

studies/history, and/or science, as documented on a transcript from an

accredited college or university.

(K-6) endorsement, on or after September 1, 2025, shall complete either (b)1 or (b)2i above and

at least 30 credits, as documented on a transcript from an accredited college or university, in the

following coursework and/or clinical experiences:

1. Six to nine credits or equivalent that focus on developing the pedagogical content

knowledge for teaching mathematics to elementary students and that shall focus on

the following:

i. Cognitively guided mathematics instruction;

ii. Assessment of, and remediation for, difficulties in mathematics;

iii. The use of mathematical practices in instruction;

iv. Building the underlying mathematical conceptual knowledge of educators; and

v. The integration of literacy skills in mathematics.

2. Nine to 12 credits, or equivalent, that focus on developing the pedagogical content

knowledge for teaching reading and literacy to elementary students and that shall

focus on the following:

i. Developing the pedagogical content knowledge and conceptual framework

for teaching early literacy skills or foundational reading skills, including,

but not limited to, phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading

comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print;

ii. Strategies for teaching reading comprehension, writing, speaking, and

listening to elementary students; and

iii. Multicultural, multilingual, and diverse literature.

3. Coursework that focuses on developing the pedagogical content knowledge for

teaching science and social studies to elementary students that shall place an

emphasis on the integration of literacy skills in science and social studies.

(d) A holder of a CE with an elementary school (K-6) endorsement who begins teaching under a

provisional certificate on or after September 1, 2025, shall complete a Department-approved

New Jersey college or university program pursuant to (c)1, 2, and 3 above.

6A:9B-10.3 Health and physical education and physical education

(a) To meet the endorsement requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii, the candidate for the

health and physical education endorsement shall complete:

1. A 30-credit coherent sequence of courses in health and a minimum of 15 credits in

physical education. The study of individual and team sports and adaptive physical

education shall be included in the physical education credits; or

2. A 30-credit coherent sequence of courses in physical education and a minimum of

15 credits in health. The study of individual and team sports and adaptive physical

education shall be included in the physical education credits.

(b) To meet the endorsement requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii, the candidate for the

physical education endorsement shall complete:

1. A 30-credit coherent sequence of courses in physical education. The study of

individual and team sports and adaptive physical education shall be included in the

physical education credits.

6A:9B-10.4 Science

(a) To meet the endorsement requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii, the candidate for the

physical science endorsement shall complete:

1. A 30-credit coherent sequence of courses in physics and a minimum of 15 credits

in chemistry; or

2. A 30-credit coherent sequence of courses in chemistry and a minimum of 15

credits in physics.

(b) Candidates holding a CEAS or standard certificate with a science endorsement seeking an

additional CEAS or standard certificate with a science endorsement shall:

1. Complete 15 credits in the corresponding content area with six credits at the

advanced level; and

2. Pass the State test of subject matter knowledge.

i. GPA flexibilities pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2(c) and 8.3(b) shall not apply.

6A:9B-10.5 World languages

(a) In addition to the endorsement requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii, the candidate

shall meet the following criteria to be eligible for the world language endorsement:

1. Possess linguistic competency in the designated world language as demonstrated

on a Department-approved, nationally recognized test of oral language proficiency

for spoken language, reading/writing proficiency for classical languages or

receptive/expressive proficiency for American Sign Language; and

2. Complete a minimum of three semester-hour credits in second language acquisition

theory and related methodologies offered by an accredited college or university

within 12 months of initial assignment. No CEAS or standard world languages

certificate shall be issued until this requirement is completed.

(b) Elementary school teachers, preschool through grade three teachers, and preschool teachers

who teach world languages more than half-time and complete the requirements at (a) above

shall be authorized to teach world languages in the grade levels authorized by their

endorsement. Elementary school teachers, preschool through grade three teachers, and

preschool teachers who teach world languages half-time or less shall be authorized to teach

world languages in the grade levels authorized by their endorsement upon demonstrating

linguistic competency in the designated world language on a Department-approved,

nationally recognized test of oral language proficiency for spoken language or

receptive/expressive proficiency for American Sign Language.

6A:9B-10.6 Technology education

(a) To meet the endorsement requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii, a candidate for the

technology education endorsement shall complete study in the following technology,

engineering, and design subjects:

1. The nature of technology or technology and society;

2. Technological design;

3. The use of tools and materials, and safety related to using tools and materials; and

4. Three of the following seven technologies:

i. Medical;

ii. Agricultural and related biotechnologies;

iii. Energy and power;

iv. Information and communication;

v. Transportation;

vi. Manufacturing; and/or

vii. Construction.

(b) Holders of New Jersey industrial arts endorsements or their equivalent who are employed by a

school district prior to April 23, 2004, to teach technology education as defined at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-

9.3(a)8 shall be issued the technology education endorsement upon application to the Office.

requirements at (b) above shall be eligible for the technology education endorsement upon

completion of the State test requirement and submission of an application to the Office.

6A:9B-10.7 Art

(a) To meet the endorsement requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii, a candidate for the

art endorsement shall:

1. Present studio experience in each of the following required areas of study:

i. Drawing;

ii. Painting; and

iii. Sculpture and/or ceramics; or

2. Complete a major in fine arts.

6A:9B-10.8 Social studies

(a) To meet the endorsement requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii, a candidate for the

social studies endorsement shall complete a minimum of 15 semester-hour credits in

history, including a minimum of:

1. One course in American history; and

2. One course in world history.

6A:9B-10.9 Family and consumer sciences

(a) As part of the minimum 30 credits in the content area needed to meet the endorsement

requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii, a candidate for the family and consumer

sciences endorsement shall complete study in the following required areas:

1. Child and family development, care/human development, and related careers;

2. Food preparation, nutrition and food science, and related careers;

3. Apparel/construction, textiles, interiors/housing and environments, and related careers; and

4. Personal and family financial/resource management, and related careers.

6A:9B-10.10 Comprehensive business

(a) As part of the minimum 30 credits in content area needed to meet the endorsement

requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii, a candidate for the comprehensive business

endorsement shall complete at a two- or four-year regionally accredited college or university:

1. Six semester-hour credits in accounting;

2. At least one course in business law;

3. At least one course in economics;

4. At least one course in finance; and

5. At least one course in computer applications.

6A:9B-10.11 Computer applications and business-related information technology

(a) As part of the minimum 30 credits in content area needed to meet the endorsement requirements

at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii, a candidate for the computer applications and business-related

information technology endorsement shall complete at a two- or four-year regionally accredited

college or university at least 12 semester-hour credits in any of the following areas:

1. Management information systems;

2. Business-related computer classes;

3. Database concepts for business;

4. Information management;

5. Decision support systems for business;

6. Computer management;

7. Systems analysis;

8. Computer networks in business;

9. Database development for business;

10. Business computer programming; and

11. Computer science.

6A:9B-10.12 Finance, economics, and law

(a) As part of the minimum 30 credits in content area needed to meet the endorsement

requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii, a candidate for the finance, economics, and

law endorsement shall complete at a two- or four-year accredited college or university:

1. At least six semester-hour credits in economics;

2. At least three semester-hour credits in finance; and

3. At least three semester-hour credits in business law.

6A:9B-10.13 Keyboarding and data entry

To meet the endorsement requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii, a candidate for the

keyboarding and data entry endorsement shall complete at a two- or four-year accredited college

or university a course in keyboarding and/or word processing applications.

6A:9B-10.14 Office administration and office systems technology

(a) As part of the minimum 30 credits in content area needed to meet the endorsement

requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii, a candidate for the office administration and

office systems technology endorsement shall complete at a two- or four-year accredited

college or university at least 12 semester-hour credits in any of the following areas:

1. Managing office systems or office systems administration;

2. Keyboarding or word processing;

3. Business communications; or

4. Business-related programs/software.

6A:9B-10.15 Computer science

(a) To be eligible for the computer science endorsement, candidates holding a standard

instructional certificate in another endorsement area shall:

1. Complete 15 credit hours of computer science coursework; and

2. Pass the appropriate State test of computer science content knowledge.

(b) To be eligible for a standard instructional certificate in computer science, candidates shall

complete all certificate requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8 and the endorsement

requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.

2024, shall be eligible for the computer science endorsement if the candidates:

1. Have received two effective or highly effective ratings in teaching computer

science within the last four years; and

2. Pass the appropriate State test of computer science content knowledge.

(d) All candidates for the computer science endorsement pursuant to (a) and (b) above shall

complete, or have completed, a minimum of three semester-hour credits, or equivalent, in a

methods of teaching computer science course offered by an accredited college or university

within 12 months of the initial computer science teaching assignment.

1. The methods course may be included in the 15 credit hours of computer science

coursework pursuant to (a)1 above or the 30 credit hours required to fulfill

endorsement requirements pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1iii.

Subchapter 11. Additional Requirements or Exceptions to Requirements for Instructional

Certification with Special Endorsements

6A:9B-11.1 General provisions

This subchapter includes additional requirements, or exceptions to the requirements, for the instructional

certificate with special endorsements. The subchapter also includes specific coursework required for

educator preparation programs that lead to an endorsement in any subject covered in this subchapter and

that are approved pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9A.

6A:9B-11.2 Preschool through grade three

(a) Candidates for the preschool through grade three endorsement shall complete all

certification requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8 and the endorsement requirements at

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9, and:

1. Shall be exempt from the subject course requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1 and

instead shall complete:

i. A liberal arts, science, dual-content, or interdisciplinary academic major; or

ii. A minimum of 60 semester-hour credits in liberal arts and/or science.

(1) Candidates for the preschool through grade three endorsement who

enter an educator preparation program on or after September 1,

2025, shall complete a minimum of 30 semester-hour credits in

core-content subject areas, including English, mathematics, social

studies/history, and/or science.

2. For candidates seeking a CEAS with a preschool through grade three endorsement,

who enter an educator preparation program on or before August 31, 2025, shall

complete the requirements at (a)1 above and a preschool through grade three

educator preparation program at an accredited college or university; and

i. CEAS candidates who enter a preschool through grade three educator

preparation program on or after September 1, 2025, shall complete the

requirements at (b) below.

3. Provisional teachers holding a CE with a preschool through grade three endorsement

shall choose to complete either 350 hours of formal instruction, pursuant to N.J.A.C.

6A:9A-5.4(a)1, or 24 semester-hour credits of preschool through grade three

pedagogy at a Department-approved New Jersey college or university program.

Instruction through either choice shall include:

i. Child development and learning, including studies designed to foster

understanding of the dynamic continuum of development and learning in

children from birth through age eight. Required topics are cognitive and

linguistic factors that affect learning and development; the creation of a climate

that fosters and nurtures diversity and equitable opportunities for all children,

including children who are multilingual learners and children with disabilities,

and that addresses multiple intelligences and diverse learning styles; the

integration of play; and language and literacy across the curriculum;

ii. Understanding family and community, including studies designed to foster

an understanding of the significant roles of families and communities.

Required topics are the recognition of children at risk; the establishment of

linkages with community resources to support families; the recognition and

acceptance of diverse family units, including family participation on the

educational team; the impact of children’s homes, communities, health and

cultural experiences on development and learning; and comprehension of

social, historical, political, legal and philosophical constructs that impact

upon children, families and communities; and

iii. Curriculum and assessment, including studies designed to foster an

understanding of the importance of implementing developmentally

appropriate principles and practices. Required topics include the NJSLS

and early childhood program expectations; responsiveness to cultural and

linguistic differences with an equitable and individualized focus; activities

designed to foster intellectual stimulation through play; implementation of

developmentally appropriate techniques of guidance and group

management to create a safe classroom environment; and assessment that is

multidimensional, ongoing, and performance based.

(b) Candidates seeking a CEAS with a preschool through grade three endorsement who enter an

educator preparation program on or after September 1, 2025, shall complete the requirements at

(a)1 above and a preschool through grade three educator preparation program that includes at

least 30 credits as documented on a transcript from an accredited college or university in the

following coursework and/or clinical experiences:

1. Six to nine credits, or equivalent, that focus on developing the pedagogical content

knowledge for teaching mathematics to preschool and elementary students and that

shall focus on the following:

i. Cognitively guided mathematic instruction;

ii. Assessment of, and remediation for, difficulties in mathematics;

iii. The use of mathematical practices in instruction;

iv. Building the underlying mathematical conceptual knowledge of educators; and

v. The integration of literacy skills in mathematics;

2. Twelve to 15 credits, or equivalent, that focus on developing the pedagogical content

knowledge for teaching reading and literacy to preschool and elementary students.

The courses shall include the following:

i. Developing the pedagogical content knowledge and conceptual framework

for teaching early literacy skills or foundational reading skills, including, but

not limited to, phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, reading

comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print;

ii. Strategies for teaching reading comprehension, writing, speaking, and

listening to preschool and early elementary students;

iii. Multicultural, multilingual, and diverse literature;

iv. Assessment for, and planning of, remedial instruction to address reading

problems for early and emergent readers, and assessment and screening of

early reading difficulties; and

v. Foundations of speech language development, including screening and support

of students with speech/language, articulation, and communication disorders;

3. Coursework that focuses on developing the pedagogical content knowledge for

teaching science and social studies to preschool and elementary students and that

emphasizes the integration of literacy skills in science and social studies;

4. Coursework that addresses child development and learning, including studies designed

to foster understanding of the dynamic continuum of development and learning in

children from birth through age eight. The coursework shall include:

i. Cognitive and linguistic factors that affect learning and development;

ii. The creation of a climate that fosters and nurtures diversity and equitable

opportunities for all children, including children who are multilingual

learners and children with disabilities, and that addresses multiple

intelligences and diverse learning styles;

iii. The integration of play; and

iv. Language and literacy across the curriculum;

5. Coursework that addresses understanding family and community, including studies

designed to foster an understanding of the significant roles of families and

communities. The coursework shall include:

i. Recognition of children at risk;

ii. The establishment of linkages with community resources to support families;

iii. The recognition and acceptance of diverse family units, including family

participation in their child’s education;

iv. The impact of children’s homes, communities, health, and cultural

experiences on development and learning; and

v. Comprehension of social, historical, political, legal, and philosophical

constructs that impact children, families, and communities; and

6. Coursework that addresses curriculum and assessment, including studies designed to

foster an understanding of the importance of implementing developmentally appropriate

principles and practices. The coursework shall include:

i. The NJSLS and the New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards;

ii. Understanding cultural and linguistic differences with an equitable and

individualized focus;

iii. Activities designed to foster intellectual stimulation through play;

iv. Implementation of developmentally appropriate techniques of guidance and

group management to create a safe classroom environment; and

v. Assessment that is multi-dimensional, ongoing, and performance based.

who begins teaching provisionally on or after September 1, 2025, shall complete a

Department-approved New Jersey college or university program pursuant to (b) above.

(d) A teacher holding a standard elementary school endorsement valid in preschool through

grade eight issued no later than March 1, 2008, with the equivalent of two academic years

of full-time experience teaching three- and four-year-olds under the certificate may teach

children in preschool in a public school or a Department of Children and Families facility.

The teaching experience shall be in a position that would require the preschool through

grade three endorsement. Teachers meeting this criteria shall present documentation that

supports the preschool teaching experience when newly employed in a school district or a

Department of Children and Families facility. The school district or the Department of

Children and Families facility shall maintain a copy of the documentation that supports the

preschool teaching experience.

(e) A standard certificate with a preschool through grade three endorsement authorizes the holder to

teach preschool through third grade in all school districts pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.3(b)4.

6A:9B-11.3 Career and technical education

(a) Candidates for the instructional certificate in a career and technical education endorsement

shall complete:

1. CEAS requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2 or CE requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-

8.3, except:

i. Candidates do not need to complete the basic skills requirement pursuant to

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3(a)5 prior to obtaining a CE; and

ii. Candidates shall complete either the experience-based or degree-based

requirements at (b) below;

2. Provisional requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4; and

3. Requirements for the renewal of the provisional certificate at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.5

and standard certificate requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7.

i. To be eligible for a standard certificate, holders of a provisional certificate

with a career and technical education endorsement shall demonstrate

proficiency in the use of English language and mathematics by meeting one

of the following:

(1) Passing the Commissioner-approved test of basic reading, writing,

and mathematics skills;

(2) Holding a master’s or terminal degree from an accredited institution

of higher education;

(3) Holding an occupational license or certification or industry

certificate or registration; or

(4) Completing a portfolio of work products through an approved educator

preparation program, as approved by the employing school district’s

superintendent, or the superintendent’s designee.

(b) To be eligible for the CE, the candidate shall fulfill one of the following:

1. Experience-based endorsements: All candidates for an experienced-based

endorsement shall pass an examination in physiology, hygiene, and substance

abuse issues, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.9. If the candidate seeks an

endorsement in a regulated occupation for which a State-issued occupational

license, certificate, or registration is required for employment in or practice of the

occupation, the candidate also shall hold an occupational license, certificate, or

registration issued by the State of New Jersey or other state or national authority.

The employing school district may recommend for approval the candidate's

experience pursuant to the guidelines established by the Department. Candidates

shall meet one of the following requirements:

i. Employment experience: The candidate shall present a minimum of four

years of Department-approved and documented employment experience,

which will be equivalent to 8,000 hours of employment. The employment

experience shall be verified by the applicant's employer(s).

(1) Up to three years of substantive teaching experience in the

occupation, as set forth in a Commissioner-approved crosswalk,

may be used as a substitute for three of the required four years of

occupational experience.

(2) The Department will annually review and identify industry

credentials in consultation with experts from education and

business. The industry credentials may be considered equivalent to

the employment experience requirement in this subparagraph.

ii. Self-employment: The candidate shall present a notarized letter from a tax

preparer and/or an attorney verifying the following:

(1) The candidate has filed State and/or Federal taxes for the self-employment

using a Federal U.S. Census North American Industry Classification

System (NAICS) that is appropriate for the endorsement; and

(2) The candidate's self-employment experience meets the minimum of

four years of employment experience, which will be equivalent to

8,000 hours of employment.

iii. Military experience: Candidates shall present a Military Discharge

certificate (DD-214) and a Verification of Military Experience and

Training (DD Form 2586) indicating military qualifications and

occupational training received, which will be used by the Department to

determine the extent of credit to be applied toward satisfying the

employment experience requirements at (b)1i above.

2. Degree-based endorsements using a bachelor's degree or higher: The candidate shall

hold a bachelor’s or an advanced degree from an accredited college(s) or

university(ies) in a Department-approved subject area for the endorsement. The

candidate shall pass an examination in physiology, hygiene, and substance abuse

issues pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.9. If the candidate seeks an endorsement in a

regulated occupation for which a State-issued occupational license, certificate, or

registration is required for employment in or practice of the occupation, the candidate

shall also hold the State-issued occupational license, certificate, or registration.

i. Candidates who do not possess a bachelor’s or advanced degree in a

Department-approved subject area for the endorsement may hold a bachelor’s

or advanced degree from an accredited college(s) or university(ies), and shall

complete at least 30 credits in a coherent sequence of courses appropriate to

the subject area for the endorsement. The 30 credits shall be obtained either

from an accredited college(s) or university(ies) or from an accredited career-

focused institution(s), or from a combination thereof.

ii. Candidates with a bachelor's degree or higher who graduate on or after

September 1, 2016, with a GPA that is below 3.00 but is at least 2.50 when

a GPA of 4.00 equals an A grade, and for whom no State-endorsed test is

available, may meet the requirements of (b)2 above by submitting evidence

of a minimum of two years (4,000 hours) of full-time employment or

equivalent part-time employment, pursuant to (b)1i above.

iii. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree or higher who graduated before

September 1, 2016, with a GPA that is below 2.75, but is at least 2.50,

when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A grade, and for whom no State-endorsed

test is available, may meet the requirements at (b)2 above by submitting

evidence of a minimum of two years (4,000 hours) of full-time

employment or equivalent part-time employment, pursuant to (b)1i above.

3. Degree-based endorsements using an associate degree: The candidate shall hold a

two-year degree from an accredited college(s) or university(ies) or from an

accredited career-focused institution(s) in a Department-approved subject area for

the endorsement. The candidate also shall submit evidence of a minimum of two

years of eligible employment, which will be equivalent to 4,000 hours of

employment, pursuant to (b)1i above. The candidate shall pass an examination in

physiology, hygiene, and substance abuse issues pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.9.

If the candidate seeks an endorsement in a regulated occupation for which a State-

issued occupational license, certificate, or registration is required for employment

in or practice of the occupation, the candidate also shall hold the State-issued

occupational license, certificate, or registration.

i. Candidates who do not possess an associate degree in a Department-

approved subject area for the endorsement may hold a two-year degree

from an accredited institution of higher education, and shall complete at

least 30 credits in a coherent sequence of courses appropriate to the subject

area for the endorsement. The 30 credits shall be obtained either from an

accredited college(s) or university(ies) or from an accredited career-focused

institution(s), or from a combination thereof.

ii. Candidates using an associate degree shall meet the GPA requirements set

forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3. The exceptions to the GPA requirements

available to candidates with a bachelor’s degree or higher at (b)2ii and iii

above will not be available to candidates using an associate degree.

at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-11.3 and 11.8, may obtain a career and technical education

endorsement upon completion of the experience requirement, the academic major and test

requirement, or as set forth at (e) below.

(d) Holders of vocational-technical instructional endorsements issued prior to January 20, 2004, are

authorized to teach in the career and technical education programs for which they hold

endorsements. A crosswalk of these former certificates that identifies under which of the new

career clusters the teacher's certificate falls is available on the Department's website.

(e) Holders of standard instructional certificates with an endorsement in a subject area that

authorizes them to teach grades nine through 12 may obtain a CTE endorsement to teach

CTE programs that align to an in-demand industry sector or occupation that is

experiencing a shortage of CTE teachers, as identified and approved by the Department,

through participation in the Department-approved CTE Teacher Bridge process.

1. This process is available only to school districts that have an approved CTE

program and enter into an agreement with the Department to participate in the CTE

Teacher Bridge process.

2. Candidates shall be sponsored by their employing school district and shall complete

the Department-approved process, as set forth at (e)3 below and detailed in the

agreement between the Department and the school district, to acquire the content and

skills necessary to teach in the in-demand industry sector or occupation.

3. The Department-approved process shall include, at minimum:

i. Two summers spent in an industry externship for a minimum of 160 hours

each summer; and

ii. Two school years spent co-teaching with a certified CTE teacher in the content

area of the in-demand industry sector or occupation for which the candidate is

seeking an endorsement. The CTE Teacher Bridge candidate shall spend at

least 100 hours co-teaching during each of the two school years.

6A:9B-11.4 Teacher of students with disabilities

(a) A candidate for a CE or CEAS with a teacher of students with disabilities endorsement

shall complete the certification requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8 and the endorsement

requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9. The candidate also shall:

1. Possess a CE, CEAS, or standard New Jersey instructional certificate with an

endorsement appropriate to the subject or grade level to be taught;

2. For the deaf or hard-of-hearing with sign language communication endorsement,

achieve an intermediate or higher score on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview

(SLPI) or a score of three or higher on the American Sign Language Proficiency

Interview (ASLPI);

3. Be exempt from the test of subject-matter knowledge pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)2;

4. For CE candidates, be exempt from the subject course requirements at N.J.A.C.

6A:9B-9.1(a)1;

5. Be exempt from the performance assessment, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2(a)6

and 8.7(a)4; and

6. Be exempt from the clinical practice requirement, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2(b).

(b) A candidate for the CEAS with a teacher of students with disabilities endorsement who

has met the requirements at (a)1 above shall complete, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-4, an

educator preparation program that includes a minimum of 21 credit hours in the topics at

(d), (e), (g), or (h) below. In addition to the requirements for a CEAS, a candidate for the

deaf or hard-of-hearing with sign language communication endorsement shall achieve an

intermediate or higher score on the SLPI or a score of three or higher on the ASLPI.

1. Hold a CE or CEAS with a teacher of students with disabilities endorsement and

the instructional endorsement required for the teaching assignment; and

2. For holders of a CE with a teacher of students with disabilities endorsement, be

enrolled at an accredited college or university in an educator preparation program

that includes a minimum of 21 credit hours in the topics at (d) through (g) below.

(d) Provisional teachers who hold a CE with a teacher of students with disabilities endorsement

shall complete the requirements for a standard certificate, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7,

except as provided at (e), (g), and (h) below, and shall:

1. Complete, at an accredited college or university, an educator preparation program

that includes a minimum of 21 credit hours of formal instruction in the following

topics:

i. Philosophical, historical, and legal foundations of special education;

ii. Characteristics of students with disabilities;

iii. Standardized and functional assessment;

iv. Strategies for the development of literacy;

v. Curriculum planning, learning environments, modifications, and materials

for students with disabilities;

vi. Inclusive education practices, positive behavioral supports, communication,

and collaborative partnerships;

vii. Assistive technology;

viii. Transition planning, program development, and agencies available for

students with disabilities; and

ix. Autism spectrum disorders;

2. Complete, if the provisional teacher holds a CE with the instructional endorsement required

for the teaching assignment pursuant to (c)1 above, the courses required at (d)1 above

prior to, or concurrently with, the formal instructional requirements of the CE educator

preparation program required for the standard certificate at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7; and

3. Be exempt from the performance assessment requirement, pursuant to N.J.A.C.

6A:9B-8.7(a)4.

(e) While teaching under a provisional certificate with a blind or visually impaired

endorsement, a candidate for a standard certificate shall :

1. Complete, at an accredited college or university, an educator preparation program

that includes a minimum of 21 credit hours of formal instruction in the following

topics:

i. Philosophical, historical, and legal issues in the education of students who

are blind/visually impaired;

ii. Anatomy, physiology, and characteristics of students who are

blind/visually impaired;

iii. Standardized and functional assessment of students who are blind/visually impaired;

iv. Strategies and materials for developing literacy and numeracy skills in students

who are blind or visually impaired including Braille and Nemeth codes;

v. Curriculum planning, learning environments, modifications, and materials

for students who are blind/visually impaired;

vi. Inclusive education practices, positive behavioral supports, communication,

and collaborative partnerships;

vii. Assistive technology and augmentative communication systems for

students who are blind or visually impaired;

viii. Orientation and mobility concepts and techniques; and

ix. Transition planning, program services, and agencies available for students

who are blind/visually impaired; and

2. Complete the courses at (e)1 above prior to, or concurrently with, the formal

instructional requirements of the CE educator preparation program required for the

standard certificate at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7, if the provisional teacher with the CE

with a blind or visually impaired endorsement holds a CE in the instructional

endorsement required for the teaching assignment.

(f) While teaching under a provisional certificate with a deaf or hard-of-hearing with

oral/aural communication endorsement, a candidate for a standard certificate shall:

1. Complete, at an accredited college or university, an educator preparation program

that includes a minimum of 21 credit hours of formal instruction in the following

topics:

i. Philosophical, historical, and legal issues in the education of students who

are deaf/hard of hearing;

ii. Characteristics of students who are deaf/hard of hearing;

iii. Standardized and functional assessment of students who are deaf/hard of hearing;

100

iv. Strategies for the development of language and literacy of students who are

deaf/hard of hearing;

v. Curriculum planning, learning environments, modifications, and materials

for students who are deaf/hard of hearing;

vi. Inclusive education practices, positive behavioral supports, communication,

and collaborative partnerships;

vii. Speech, applied audiology, assistive listening devices and assistive technology;

viii. American Sign Language, deaf culture, and communication philosophies; and

ix. Transition planning, program services, and agencies available for students

who are deaf/hard of hearing; and

2. Complete the courses at (f)1 above prior to, or concurrently with, the formal

instructional requirements of the CE educator preparation program required for the

standard certificate at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7, if the provisional teacher with the CE

with a deaf or hard-of-hearing with oral/aural communication endorsement holds a

CE in the instructional endorsement required for the teaching assignment.

(g) While teaching under a provisional certificate with a deaf or hard-of-hearing with sign

language communication endorsement, a candidate for a standard certificate shall:

1. Complete, at an accredited college or university, an education preparation program that

includes a minimum of 21 credit hours of formal instruction in the following topics:

i. Philosophical, historical, and legal issues in the education of students who

are deaf/hard of hearing;

ii. Characteristics of students who are deaf/hard of hearing;

iii. Standardized and functional assessment of students who are deaf/hard of hearing;

iv. Strategies for the development of language and literacy of students who are

deaf/hard of hearing;

101

v. Curriculum planning, learning environments, modifications, and materials

for students who are deaf/hard of hearing;

vi. Inclusive education practices, positive behavioral supports, communication,

and collaborative partnerships;

vii. Speech, applied audiology, assistive listening devices, and assistive technology;

viii. American Sign Language, deaf culture, and communication philosophies; and

ix. Transition planning, program services, and agencies available for students

who are deaf/hard of hearing; and

2. Complete the courses at (g)1 above prior to, or concurrently with, the formal

instructional requirements of the CE educator preparation program required for the

standard certificate at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7, if the provisional teacher with the CE

with a deaf or hard-of-hearing with sign language communication endorsement

holds a CE in the instructional endorsement required for the teaching assignment.

(h) Holders of a CEAS with a teacher of students with disabilities endorsement pursuant to (b)

above are not required to complete (d)2, (e)2, (f)2, or (g)2 above.

(i) Holders of a CEAS with a blind or partially sighted endorsement shall not be required to

complete the requirements at (e)2 above. Holders of a CEAS with a deaf or hard-of-

hearing with oral/aural communication endorsement shall not be required to complete the

requirements at (f)2 above. Holders of a CEAS with a deaf or hard-of-hearing with sign

language communication endorsement shall not be required to complete the requirements

at (g)2 above.

(j) To renew a provisional certificate with a teacher of students with disabilities endorsement,

provisional certificate holders shall meet the following requirements:

1. Demonstrate successful completion of at least two courses per provisional period,

as required of the approved educator preparation program; and

2. Be rated effective or highly effective during the year of the requested renewal.

102

(k) No holder of a provisional certificate shall be employed for more than six years in a

position requiring certification as a teacher of students with disabilities.

(l) The special education pedagogy required at (e), (f), and (g) above shall be completed at an

accredited four-year college or university.

(m) Holders of standard certificates with teacher of students with disabilities endorsements

shall be issued additional instructional certificates when they meet the requirements for a

CE, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2(a).

6A:9B-11.5 Bilingual/bicultural education

(a) A candidate for the bilingual/bicultural endorsement shall complete the certification

requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8 and the endorsement requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-

9. The candidate shall also:

1. Possess or be eligible for a CE, CEAS, or standard New Jersey instructional

certificate with an endorsement appropriate to the subject or grade level to be taught;

2. Meet the test of subject-matter knowledge requirement at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)2

by demonstrating:

i. Oral and writing competence in English by:

(1) Passing a Department-approved, nationally recognized test of oral

and written proficiency in English; or

(2) Passing a Department-approved, nationally recognized test to

demonstrate oral proficiency and passing the Commissioner-approved

test of basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills , pursuant to

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3(a)5, to demonstrate writing proficiency; and

ii. Oral and writing competence in the target language by:

(1) Passing a Department-approved, nationally recognized test of oral

and written proficiency in the target language; or

103

(2) Establishing the candidate as a speaker of the target language who

was primarily educated at the undergraduate or gradudate level in

that language;

3. For CE candidates with a bilingual/bicultural education endorsement, be exempt

from the subject course requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)1;

4. For CEAS candidates with a bilingual/bicultural endorsement, complete the

requirements at (a)1 above and a program at an accredited college or university for the

preparation of teachers of bilingual/bicultural education; and

5. Be exempt from the performance assessment requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-

8.2(a)6 and 8.7(a)4.

(b) While teaching under a provisional certificate, a holder of the CE with a bilingual/bicultural

education endorsement shall:

1. Complete a Department-approved New Jersey college or university educator

preparation program that includes 12 credit hours of formal instruction in the

following topics:

i. Linguistics;

ii. Language acquisition;

iii. Developing literacy skills for the second language learner;

iv. Methods of teaching content in bilingual education; and

v. Theory and practice of teaching bilingual education; and

2. Complete the courses at (b)1 above prior to, or concurrently with, the formal

instructional requirements of the CE educator preparation program required for the

standard certificate in N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7, if the provisional teacher with the CE

in the bilingual/bicultural endorsement holds a CE with the instructional

endorsement required for the teaching assignment.

104

6A:9B-11.6 English as a second language

(a) A candidate for the English as a second language (ESL) endorsement shall complete all

certification requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8 and the endorsement requirements at

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9. The candidate shall also:

1. Be exempt from the endorsement course requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3(a)4

while teaching under a provisional certificate and enrolled in an CE educator

preparation program; and

2. Meet the test of subject-matter knowledge requirement at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)2 by

demonstrating oral and writing competence in English by:

i. Passing a Department-approved, nationally recognized test of oral and

written proficiency in English; or

ii. Passing a Department-approved, nationally recognized test to demonstrate

oral proficiency and meeting the basic skills requirement pursuant to

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3(a)5, to demonstrate writing proficiency.

(b) Provisional teachers holding a CE with an English as a second language endorsement shall

complete the requirements for a standard certificate pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7, and

shall complete, at a Department-approved New Jersey college or university, an educator

preparation program that includes a minimum of 15 credit hours of formal instruction in the

topics at (b)1 through 7 below. This requirement shall not apply to provisional teachers who

hold a CEAS pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-10.2.

1. The historical and cultural backgrounds of multilingual learners;

2. Linguistics;

3. Language acquisition;

4. The structure of American English;

5. Developing literacy skills for the second language learner;

6. Methods of teaching ESL including teaching English through content; and

105

7. Theory and practice of teaching ESL.

position requiring an English as a second language endorsement, except as set forth at

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.5(c).

6A:9B-11.7 Driver education

(a) A candidate for the CEAS or standard certificate with a driver education endorsement shall

be exempt from the requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a). A candidate for the CEAS or

standard certificate with a driver education endorsement shall:

1. Hold a CEAS or standard certificate with an instructional endorsement in health or

in health and physical education;

2. Hold a valid New Jersey or out-of-State driver’s license. Candidates shall submit an

official driving record/abstract from the state in which they are currently licensed to

demonstrate the possession of a valid driver’s license;

3. Document three consecutive years of successful automobile driving experience

immediately prior to application by submitting a notarized statement; and

4. Complete a course in driver education at an accredited college or university.

(b) Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:26-2, holders of a driving instructor license issued by the New

Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission who do not hold the driver education endorsement

issued by the Department may provide only behind-the-wheel driver education in public

schools, and shall not provide classroom instruction in driver education.

6A:9B-11.8 Military science

(a) To be eligible for the standard certificate with a military science endorsement, the candidate shall:

1. Document 20 years of military service; and

106

2. Hold valid certification authorizing employment as a military science instructor

from the branch of service in which the candidate served.

(b) To retain this endorsement, the holder must maintain the military employment

authorization at (a)2 above. The school district shall ensure that the military science

teacher maintains valid military certification pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.1(b).

endorsements. Holders may obtain additional endorsements by meeting applicable

requirements in this chapter.

6A:9B-11.9 Middle school with subject matter specialization

(a) To be eligible for the middle school with subject-matter specialization endorsement, the

candidate shall:

1. Hold a CE or CEAS with an elementary school or preschool through grade 12

subject-matter endorsement in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.3 or hold a

standard certificate with an elementary school or preschool through grade 12

subject-matter endorsement in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.7;

2. Complete a course in child and early adolescent development as aligned with standard

two of the Professional Standards for Teachers at N.J.A.C. 6A:9-3.3(a)2. Holders of the

CE shall complete this study before issuance of the standard certificate;

3. Complete 15 semester-hour credits in any one of the following NJSLS subject fields:

i. English language arts;

ii. Mathematics;

iii. Science;

iv. Social studies; or

v. A single world language; and

4. Pass the appropriate State test(s) in the content area.

107

(b) To be eligible for the CE, CEAS, or standard middle school with subject matter specialization

with a world languages endorsement, the candidate shall, in addition to (a) above:

1. Possess linguistic competency in the designated world language as demonstrated

on a Department-approved, nationally recognized test of oral language proficiency

for spoken language, reading/writing proficiency for classical languages or

receptive/expressive proficiency for American Sign Language; and

2. Complete a minimum of three semester-hour credits in second language

acquisition theory and related methodologies offered by an accredited four-year

college or university within 12 months of initial assignment.

i. No CEAS or standard certificate with an elementary school with

specialization in a world language endorsement shall be issued until the

requirement at (b)2 above is completed.

specialization endorsements in the NJSLS subject fields at (a)3i through v above upon completion

of the requirements at (a)3 and 4 and (b) above for each area of specialization requested.

(d) Holders of the middle school with subject-matter specialization endorsement in

mathematics or science may be eligible for a middle school with subject-matter

specialization endorsement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)

by passing the necessary State subject-matter test in the additional content area and shall

be exempt from the requirement at (a)3 above.

1. Holders of the middle school with subject-matter specialization endorsement in

STEM shall be authorized to teach science and mathematics in grades five through

eight in all public schools.

(e) Holders of the middle school with subject-matter specialization endorsement in English

language arts or social studies may be eligible for a middle school with subject-matter

108

specialization endorsement in humanities by passing the necessary State subject-matter

test in the additional content area and shall be exempt from the requirement at (a)3 above.

1. Holders of the middle school with subject-matter specialization endorsement in

humanities shall be authorized to teach English language arts, social studies and

related literature, and social and civic engagement courses in grades five through

eight in all public schools.

6A:9B-11.10 Swimming and water safety

(a) To be eligible for the swimming and water safety endorsement, candidates shall hold:

1. A standard New Jersey instructional certificate;

2. A valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Professional Rescuer Certificate issued

by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association;

3. A valid Lifeguard Certificate issued by the American Red Cross or the YMCA; and

4. A valid water safety/swimming instructor certificate issued by the American Red Cross,

the YMCA, or the Flotation Aided Swim Training Program (FAST Swim Program

(b) The chief school administrator of the employing district board of education shall:

1. Annually notify the executive county superintendent of all teachers assigned to

teach swimming and/or diving; and

2. Annually forward to the executive county superintendent copies of each valid

certificate identified at (a)2 through 4 above for every person assigned to teach

swimming and/or diving.

be required to hold all of the safety certificates at (a) above to serve as a substitute for a

swimming and water safety teacher.

109

6A:9B-11.11 Teacher of Supplemental Instruction in Reading and Mathematics, Grades K-8

(a) To be eligible for a CE with a Teacher of Supplemental Instruction in Reading and

Mathematics, Grades K-8 endorsement, an applicant shall complete all of the requirements

at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3 and 10.2 for a CE with a Teacher of Elementary School K-6

endorsement.

(b) To be eligible for a CEAS with a Teacher of Supplemental Instruction in Reading and

Mathematics, Grades K-8 endorsement, the candidate shall:

1. Meet the requirements at (a) above;

2. Complete one of the educator preparation program alternatives culminating in

clinical practice appropriate to the Elementary School Teacher K-6 endorsement

in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2; and

3. Meet the GPA and test-score requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2.

1. May not be assigned to more than two schools; and

2. Shall conduct all teaching in a formal classroom environment with a minimum of

eight students. The classroom environment shall approximate the experiences that

novice teachers are expected to have, including, but not limited to, lesson planning,

effective classroom management, instructional strategies, and incorporation of the

NJSLS and the content-based professional standards for kindergarten through grade

six (K-6) instruction.

(d) While teaching under a provisional endorsement, the teacher shall participate in a State-approved

district training program appropriate to holders of the elementary school (K-6) endorsement.

(e) Holders of the standard certificate for Teacher of Supplemental Instruction in Reading and

Mathematics, Grades K-8 shall not be eligible for other standard instructional certificate

endorsements under N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(b) until they first complete all requirements for one

other standard instructional certificate endorsement. Upon receipt of the second standard

110

instructional endorsement, holders of the standard certificate for Teacher of Supplemental

Instruction in Reading and Mathematics, Grades K-8 then shall be eligible for additional

standard instructional endorsements under N.J.A.C. 6A: 9B-9.1(b).

6A:9B-11.12 Requirements for the charter school certificate of eligibility (CSCE)

(a) All endorsements authorized in the section may be used only for employment in charter

schools and do not satisfy the requirements for employment in traditional public schools.

(b) Except as indicated at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-11.2 through 11.6, 11.10, and 11.11, the candidate

shall do the following to be eligible for a CSCE with instructional endorsements:

1. Hold a bachelor’s or an advanced degree from an accredited college or university;

2. Meet the GPA requirements, or its exceptions, and pass the basic skills assessment,

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3(a)5; and

3. Pass the appropriate State test(s) of subject-matter knowledge.

candidate shall do the following to be eligible for a charter school provisional certificate:

1. Hold a CSCE in the endorsement area required for the teaching assignment; and

2. Obtain and accept an offer of employment in a position that requires an

instructional certificate.

(d) Except as indicated at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-11.2 through 11.6, 11.8, 11.10, and 11.11, the

candidate shall do the following to be eligible for the charter school standard certificate in

any instructional area:

1. Possess a provisional charter school certificate pursuant to (c) above; and

2. Successfully complete at least two school years at the charter school while employed

provisionally in a position requiring the appropriate instructional certificate.

(e) The charter school shall provide written recommendation for the issuance of a standard

charter school certificate.

111

6A:9B-11.13 Requirements for mathematics and science add-on endorsement

(a) All endorsements authorized pursuant to this section shall be used only for employment in

areas of mathematics and science in foundational courses in the subject area sequence.

(b) To be eligible for a CE with a mathematics or science endorsement as an add-on, the candidate

shall be exempt from the requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1 and instead shall:

1. Hold a valid New Jersey CEAS or standard instructional certificate;

2. Complete at least six of the 30 credits of appropriate coursework in the subject

area as required at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a), 10, or 11;

3. Demonstrate at least two years of successful teaching pursuant to a valid New

Jersey or out-of-State equivalent instructional teaching certificate; and

4. Be enrolled in, and recommended for a CE by an educator preparation program,

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-5.6.

eligible for a provisional certificate issued pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4.

(d) Candidates holding a CE issued pursuant to (b) above shall complete all requirements for

a standard certificate with a mathematics or science area endorsement pursuant to N.J.A.C.

6A:9B-9.1(a), 10, or 11, as applicable.

(e) To be eligible for a standard certificate with a mathematics or science endorsement,

candidates holding a CE issued pursuant to (b) above shall:

1. Meet the coursework and subject matter knowledge assessment requirements for

the endorsement area at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a);

2. Successfully complete the educator preparation program approved pursuant to

N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-5.6; and

3. Be recommended for a standard certificate by the educator preparation program.

112

6A:9B-11.14 Requirements for the early college high school certificate of eligibility

(a) All endorsements issued pursuant to this section authorize the certificate holder to teach

grades seven through 12 only in an early college high school program.

(b) Except as indicated at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-11.2 through 11.6, 11.10, and 11.11, a candidate

for the early college high school CE with an instructional endorsement shall meet the

following requirements:

1. Hold an advanced degree from an accredited college or university in a field related

to the subject area being taught;

2. Have experience teaching students at any grade level, including postsecondary; and

3. Pass the appropriate State test of subject-matter knowledge.

candidate for the early college high school provisional certificate in an instructional area

shall meet the following requirements:

1. Show documentation that an early college high school intends to employ the

candidate in a teaching position; and

2. Enroll in the provisional teacher program pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.4 and 8.6.

(d) Except as set forth at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-11.2 through 11.6, 11.8, 11.10, and 11.11, a

candidate for the early college high school standard certificate in any instructional area

shall meet the following requirement:

1. Demonstrate the successful completion of at least four school years of teaching

under an early college high school provisional certificate with annual summative

evaluation ratings of “effective” or “highly effective” issued pursuant to N.J.A.C.

6A:10 and required at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.6.

113

Subchapter 11A. Requirements for Teacher Leader Endorsement

6A:9B-11A.1 Purpose of requirements

A certificate holder with the teacher leader endorsement shall be prepared to demonstrate the

Teacher Leader Model Standards, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:26-2.19.f.

6A:9B-11A.2 Authorization

Holders of the teacher leader endorsement are authorized to assume responsibilities that are

consistent with the Teacher Leader Model Standards, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:26-2.19.f.

6A:9B-11A.3 Requirements

(a) To be eligible for the teacher leader endorsement, the candidate shall meet the following

requirements:

1. Possess a New Jersey standard instructional certificate;

2. Demonstrate a minimum of four years of teaching experience under a valid New

Jersey or out-of-State certificate;

3. Demonstrate a minimum of two effective or highly effective annual summative

ratings in the three most recent years under the New Jersey evaluation system or

appropriate equivalent criteria in another state;

4. Complete a program of study with a Commissioner-approved teacher leader

program provider, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9A-6; and

5. Pass a Commissioner-approved performance assessment.

(b) A candidate who meets the requirements at (a)1 through 5 above shall be exempt from the

minimum GPA requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.2.

114

Subchapter 12. Requirements for Administrative Certification

6A:9B-12.1 Purpose of requirements

(a) The requirements for an administrative certificate shall apply when:

1. Approving educator preparation programs for administrative and supervisory personnel;

2. Evaluating the eligibility of candidates for an administrative certificate or an

administrative certificate with a supervisor endorsement; and

3. Approving residency programs required of candidates for an administrative

certificate with a principal or school administrator endorsement.

6A:9B-12.2 College degrees

Except as indicated at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-12.7, all candidates for an administrative certificate shall

hold a master’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university.

6A:9B-12.3 Authorization

(a) The school administrator endorsement is required for any position that involves services as a

district-level administrative officer. Such positions shall include superintendent, assistant

superintendent, and director. Holders of this endorsement shall be authorized to:

1. Provide educational leadership by directing the formulation of districtwide goals,

plans, policies, and budgets, by recommending their approval by the district board

of education, and by directing their districtwide implementation;

2. Recommend for approval by the district board of education all staff appointments

and other personnel actions, such as terminations, suspensions, and compensation,

including the appointment of school business administrators;

3. Direct school district operations and programs;

115

4. Supervise and evaluate building administrators and central office staff, including

school business administrators;

5. Oversee the administration and supervision of school-level operations, staff, and

programs; and

6. Serve as principal or supervisor as provided at (b) and (c) below.

(b) The principal endorsement is required for any position that involves service as an

administrative officer of a school or other comparable unit within a school or school district.

Such positions shall include assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction,

principal, assistant principal, vice principal, director, and supervisor. Holders of this

endorsement shall be authorized to:

1. Provide educational leadership by directing the formulation of goals, plans,

policies, budgets, and personnel actions of the school or other comparable unit, by

recommending them to the chief district administrator, and by directing their

implementation in the school or other comparable unit;

2. Direct and supervise all school operations and programs;

3. Evaluate school staff, including teaching staff members; and

4. Direct the activities of school-level supervisors.

who do not hold a standard principal’s endorsement. The supervisor shall have the authority and

responsibility for the continuing direction, evaluation, and guidance of teaching staff members.

1. Effective January 1, 2018, the supervisor endorsement no longer shall authorize

appointment as an assistant superintendent in charge of curriculum and/or instruction.

i. Holders of the supervisor endorsement issued prior to January 1, 2018, shall

continue to be authorized to hold a position as an assistant superintendent in

charge of curriculum and/or instruction.

116

(d) The school business administrator endorsement is required for the chief financial officer of a

school district. Such positions shall include assistant superintendent for business, school

business administrator, and assistant school business administrator. Holders of this

endorsement shall be authorized to:

1. Perform duties at the school district level in the areas of financial budget planning

and administration, financial accounting and reporting, insurance/risk

administration, and purchasing; and

2. Engage in facilities planning, personnel administration, administration of

transportation and food services, and central data-processing management.

6A:9B-12.4 School administrator

(a) To be eligible for the school administrator CE, the candidate shall:

1. Complete one of the following:

i. Hold a master’s or higher degree in educational leadership, curriculum and

instruction, or one of the recognized fields of leadership or management

from an accredited college or university; or

ii. Hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university and

complete a graduate-level program in educational leadership, curriculum

and instruction, or one of the recognized fields of leadership or

management;

2. Complete a 150-hour internship in educational leadership aligned to the

Professional Standards for School Leaders and in accordance with the roles and

responsibilities as a school administrator, independent of other course

requirements. This internship either shall appear on a transcript from a four-year

regionally accredited college or university or must be certified by a Commissioner-

approved program for preparing school administrators;

117

3. Pass a State-approved examination aligned with the Professional Standards for

School Leaders and most directly related to the functions of superintendents at

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-12.3(a); and

4. Complete five years of successful educational experience in a school district,

nonpublic school, or an accredited college or university.

(b) A candidate who matriculates and enrolls in a Commissioner-approved educational

leadership preparation program on or after September 1, 2008, shall be required to

complete all requirements at (a) above.

candidate shall:

1. Hold a school administrator CE; and

2. Obtain and accept an offer of employment in a position requiring the school administrator

certificate in a school district that has agreed formally to sponsor the residency.

(d) The effective date of provisional certificate issuance shall be the date on which the CE

holder begins employment with the district board of education in a certified position in

accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:26-2 and 18A:27-4a.

(e) To be eligible for the standard administrative certificate with a school administrator

endorsement, the candidate shall:

1. Possess a provisional certificate pursuant to (a) and (b) above; and

2. Complete a one-year Commissioner-approved residency program while employed

under a provisional certificate in a school or school district. However, the

Commissioner is authorized to reduce or remove the residency requirement based

on the candidate’s prior experience.

(f) The Commissioner-approved program provider selected by the candidate shall implement

the residency program, which shall:

1. Take place in a functioning school or school district;

118

2. Provide professional experiences, training, mentoring, instruction, and opportunities to

network with other candidates and experienced school administrators;

3. Develop the candidate’s thorough understanding of the NJSLS, the Professional

Standards for Teachers, and the Professional Standards for School Leaders;

4. Ensure the employing school or school district, the candidate, the Commissioner-

approved residency mentor, and the provider enter into a standard Department-

issued agreement prior to the candidate starting the residency program; and

5. Provide a State-approved mentor who meets the requirements at (g) below.

(g) The Commissioner-approved mentor shall have a minimum of three years’ experience as

an effective school administrator and been engaged in New Jersey public schools for at

least three of the last five years. Prior to mentoring a candidate, the mentor shall complete

a Department-approved mentor training program. The mentor shall:

1. Provide support based on an individualized mentoring plan, pursuant to (i) below,

which shall take the place of the individualized professional development plan

during the residency period and shall be developed collaboratively by the mentor,

the candidate, and the candidate’s supervisor;

2. Supervise and verify the candidate’s completion of all required experiences and training;

3. Meet with the candidate at least once a month during the residency. The mentor

shall be available on a regular basis to provide confidential assistance or advice

upon the candidate’s request;

4. Guide the candidate through a self-assessment based on the Professional Standards

for School Leaders;

5. Assist the candidate in developing the required individual professional

development plan for the school year following the residency period; and

6. Act as agents of the Board of Examiners in formulating their certification recommendations,

which is not subject to review or approval by district boards of education.

119

(h) The individualized mentoring plan shall be:

1. Based on the candidate’s preparation, past work experience, and the unique

leadership demands of the employing school or school district;

2. Developed to provide support in the following areas:

i. School or school district planning and policy formulation;

ii. District board of education operations and relations, if applicable;

iii. Supervision of schoolwide or districtwide programs of curriculum,

instruction, and student services;

iv. Collegial management, participatory decision-making, and professional governance;

v. The roles, supervision, and evaluation of central office staff and school principals;

vi. School or school district financial, legal, and business operations;

vii. Management of district operations, school facilities, labor relations, and

collective bargaining;

viii. Government and community relations; and

ix. School law.

(i) Mentors shall formally evaluate candidates for the school administrator endorsement at

least three times.

1. All performance evaluations shall be aligned with the Professional Standards for

School Leaders. The mentor shall discuss each evaluation with the candidate, and

the mentor and candidate shall sign each report.

2. The final evaluation shall be the basis for issuance of the candidate’s standard certificate.

(j) A candidate for a standard certificate with a school administrator endorsement shall be

approved or disapproved by the Commissioner-approved residency program pursuant to

the following procedures:

1. This final report shall include one of the following certification recommendations:

i. Approved: Recommends issuance of a standard certificate;

120

ii. Insufficient: Recommends a standard certificate not be issued, but the

candidate be allowed to continue the residency or seek admission to

another residency for one additional year; or

iii. Disapproved: Recommends a standard certificate not be issued and the

candidate shall be prevented from continuing or re-entering a residency.

2. The mentor shall provide the candidate with a copy of the signed evaluation report, and

the mentor’s recommendation, before submitting it to the Department.

3. Candidates who receive an “approved” recommendation shall be issued a standard

certificate.

(k) A candidate who receives a “disapproved” recommendation or two or more “insufficient”

recommendations may appeal to the Board of Examiners pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.13.

(l) An experienced New Jersey principal who holds a master’s degree or higher in a field not

at (a)1 above may satisfy the degree requirement by meeting the requirements at (a)3

above and the following:

1. A valid, standard New Jersey principal endorsement; and

2. Official documentation of five years of successful full-time experience as a

principal or assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in a New Jersey

public school or in an approved nonpublic school.

(m) Other provisions of this chapter notwithstanding, the Board of Examiners shall issue a CE,

a provisional certificate, and a standard certificate for school administrator to a candidate

for appointment as chief school administrator in a school district in which the State

appoints the chief school administrator.

1. The Commissioner shall direct the Board of Examiners to issue a CE to the

candidate if the candidate:

i. Possesses a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited four-year

college or university;

121

ii. Has sufficient management and executive leadership experience in a public or

private organization, as determined by the Commissioner, to allow the candidate

to successfully administer the State-operated school district. The candidate shall

document the experience in alignment with the Professional Standards for

School Leaders . The Commissioner will align the review of the candidate’s

documented experience with the Professional Standards for School Leaders and

will base judgment of the candidate’s relevant experience on the review; and

iii. Passes a criminal history review prior to issuance of the CE.

2. The Board of Examiners shall issue a provisional certificate to the candidate meeting

the criteria at (m)1 above upon the candidate’s appointment by the State Board as

State-operated school district superintendent pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7A-35.

3. The Board of Examiners shall issue a standard certificate to the candidate if the candidate:

i. Has successfully completed a residency per (e) through (i) above;

ii. Has successfully passed two formative performance reviews and one summative

performance review by the Department on a schedule to be set by the

Department. The performance reviews shall be based in part upon a portfolio

prepared by the candidate that documents the experience in the superintendent

position as aligned with the Professional Standards for School Leaders ; and

iii. Has passed a Department-approved assessment for school administrators.

6A:9B-12.5 Principal

(a) To be eligible for the principal CE, the candidate shall:

1. Complete one of the following:

i. Hold a master’s degree in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction,

or one of the recognized fields of leadership or management from an

accredited college or university;

122

ii. Hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university and complete

a graduate-level program in educational leadership, curriculum and

instruction, or one of the recognized fields of leadership or management; or

iii. Hold a master’s degree from an accredited program in educational leadership

from an out-of-State college or university;

2. Complete a 300-hour internship in educational leadership aligned to the Professional

Standards for School Leaders and in accordance with the roles and responsibilities as

a principal, independent of other course requirements. This internship either shall

appear on a transcript from a four-year accredited college or university or be certified

by a Commissioner-approved program for preparing school principals;

3. Pass a Department-approved examination of knowledge acquired through study

aligned to the Professional Standards for School Leaders and most directly related

to the functions of principals at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-12.3(b); and

4. Complete five years of successful educational experience under a valid provisional

or standard New Jersey certificate or equivalent out-of-State certificate.

(b) A candidate who matriculates and enrolls in a Commissioner-approved educational

leadership preparation program on or after September 1, 2008, shall be required to

complete all requirements at (a) above.

1. Hold a principal CE; and

2. Obtain and accept an offer of employment in a position requiring the principal endorsement

in a school or school district that has agreed formally to sponsor the residency.

(d) The effective date of provisional certificate issuance shall be the date on which the CE

holder begins employment with the district board of education in a certified position, in

accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:26-2.

123

(e) The Commissioner-approved principal residency program provider shall notify the Office

that a principal is eligible for the standard administrative certificate with a principal

endorsement when the candidate:

1. Possesses a provisional certificate pursuant to (a) and (c) above;

2. Completes a two-year Commissioner-approved residency program while employed

under a provisional certificate with a principal endorsement in a school or school

district. However, the Commissioner is authorized to reduce or remove the

residency requirement based on the candidate’s prior experience;

3. Has been reviewed by the mentor pursuant to (i) below and is recommended for

the standard certificate pursuant to (j) below; and

4. Has paid to the program provider any fees that may be required by the Department

to cover the cost of the training and mentoring services.

(f) The Commissioner-approved program provider selected by the employing school or

school district shall implement the residency program, which shall:

1. Take place in a school or school district;

2. Provide professional experiences, training, mentoring, instruction, opportunities to

network with other candidates and experienced principals, and specific training on

the school’s or school district’s educator evaluation systems;

3. Develop the candidate’s thorough understanding of the NJSLS, the Professional

Standards for Teachers, and the Professional Standards for School Leaders ;

4. Ensure the employing school or school district, the candidate, the Department-

approved mentor, and the provider enter into a standard Department-issued agreement

prior to the candidate starting the residency program;

5. Provide a Department-approved mentor who meets the below requirements:

i. Have a minimum of three years’ experience as an effective principal.

“Effective” means the principal has received a summative rating of

124

“effective” or “highly effective,” pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:10-5, in at least

three years of service in a position requiring a principal endorsement;

ii. Have been engaged in New Jersey public schools for at least three of the

last five school years; and

iii. Complete a State-approved mentor training program.

(g) The mentor from the program provider shall:

1. Supervise and verify the candidate’s completion of all required experiences and training;

2. Meet with the principal candidate at least once a month during the residency. The

mentor shall be available on a regular basis to provide assistance or advice upon

the candidate’s request;

3. Provide confidential guidance and support;

4. Guide the candidate through a self-assessment based on the employing school

district’s Commissioner-approved principal evaluation practice instrument;

5. Consult with the principal candidate’s direct supervisor in development of the

principal candidate’s individualized mentoring plan;

6. Not serve as the candidate’s direct supervisor or conduct the candidate’s evaluation; and

7. Provide support based on an individualized mentoring plan developed

collaboratively by the mentor, the candidate, and the candidate’s supervisor.

(h) The mentoring plan shall take the place of the individualized professional development

plan, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-3, during the residency period. The mentoring plan shall

be individualized based on the candidate’s preparation, past work experience, and the

unique leadership demands of the employing school or school district. Support for the

candidate in the following areas shall be considered in developing the individualized plan:

1. Curriculum leadership;

2. Supervision of instruction;

3. Student personnel services;

125

4. Personnel management;

5. Community relations;

6. Student relations;

7. Facilities management;

8. School finance;

9. School law;

10. Technical administrative skills; and

11. Professional development.

(i) The Commissioner-approved program provider shall base the recommendation for the standard

administrative certificate with a principal endorsement on at least three reviews conducted by

the mentor in each year of the two-year residency for a minimum of six reviews.

1. The first five reviews shall be conducted mainly for diagnostic purposes

2. The final review shall be the basis for issuance of the candidate’s standard

certificate. The final review shall be aligned with the Professional Standards for

School Leaders and informed by the candidate’s performance on all prior reviews.

3. The Commissioner-approved program provider shall ensure the principal candidate’s

direct supervisor is consulted regarding the candidate’s performance prior to

submitting the candidate’s final review to the Department on a State-developed form.

(j) The Commissioner-approved program provider shall recommend for approval or

disapproval principal candidates for certification pursuant to the following procedures:

1. The Commissioner-approved program provider shall submit to the Office a comprehensive

final report on the candidate’s performance review pursuant to (i) above.

2. This final report shall include one of the following certification recommendations:

i. Approved: Recommends issuance of a standard certificate;

126

ii. Insufficient: Recommends a standard certificate not be issued, but the

candidate be allowed to continue the residency or seek admission to

another residency for two additional years; or

iii. Disapproved: Recommends a standard certificate not be issued and the

candidate who is disapproved shall be prevented from continuing or re-

entering a residency.

3. Candidates who receive a recommendation of “approved” shall be issued a

standard certificate.

(k) A candidate who receives a “partially effective” or “ineffective” evaluation or two or more

“ineffective” evaluations may appeal to the Board of Examiners pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.13.

(l) Each candidate who holds a valid New Jersey or out-of-State supervisor endorsement and

a master’s degree or higher in a field other than one required at (a)1 above shall be eligible

for a principal CE by submitting official documentation of the following to the

Department:

1. Five years of successful full-time experience as a supervisor of an instructional

area or department related to the NJSLS under a valid New Jersey or out-of-State

supervisor certificate;

2. Completion of a Commissioner-approved certification program in educational

leadership offered by a Commissioner-approved provider. The program shall

include, but not be limited to:

i. Preparation for educational leadership through experiences related to the

performance-based Professional Standards for School Leaders and the NJSLS;

ii. Two hundred twenty-five clock hours of formal instruction in quality

components of preparation to promote student learning as set forth in the

Professional Standards for School Leaders; and

127

iii. A school district internship consisting of a minimum of 300 hours

providing professional experiences in school administration; and

3. Passage of a State-approved examination of knowledge acquired through study

aligned with the Professional Standards for School Leaders and directly related to

the functions of principals at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-12.3(b).

(m) Each candidate who holds a valid New Jersey or out-of-State supervisor endorsement and

a master’s degree or higher in a field not required at (a)1 above, but has zero to five years’

supervisory experience, will be eligible for a principal CE by submitting to the

Department official documentation of the following:

1. Five years of successful full-time teaching experience under a valid New Jersey or

out-of-State teaching certificate;

2. Completion of a Commissioner-approved certification program in educational

leadership offered by a Commissioner-approved provider. The program shall

contain the same elements as at (j)2 above . However, the program shall consist of

a minimum of 275 clock hours and a 300-hour internship; and

3. Passage of a State-approved examination of knowledge acquired through study

aligned with the Professional Standards for School Leaders and directly related to

the functions of principals as defined at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-12.3(b).

(n) Each candidate with at least five years of successful full-time teaching experience under a

valid New Jersey or out-of-State teaching certificate and a master’s degree or higher in a

field other than one required at (a)1 above will be eligible for a principal CE by

submitting to the Department official documentation of the following:

1. Completion of a Commissioner-approved certification program in educational

leadership offered by a Commissioner-approved provider. The program shall

contain the same elements as at (j)2 above . However, the program shall consist of

a minimum of 300 clock hours and a 300-hour internship; and

128

2. Passage of a State-approved examination of knowledge acquired through study

aligned with the Professional Standards for School Leaders and directly related to

the functions of principals as defined at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-12.3(b).

6A:9B-12.6 Supervisor

(a) To be eligible for the standard administrative certificate with a supervisor endorsement, a

candidate shall:

1. Hold a master’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university;

2. Successfully complete one of the following:

i. A Commissioner-approved college curriculum that specifically prepares the

candidate for the endorsement;

ii. Twelve graduate-level semester-hour credits, including the following:

(1) Three credits in general principles of instructional staff supervision

in preschool through grade 12;

(2) Three credits in general principles of curriculum design and

development for preschool through grade 12; and

(3) Six elective credits in instructional staff supervision and/or

curriculum design and development; or

iii. A Commissioner-approved training program that is implemented by a

Commissioner-approved provider and specifically prepares the candidate

for the endorsement; and

3. Hold a standard New Jersey instructional or educational services certificate, or its

out-of-State equivalent, and complete three years of successful, full-time teaching

and/or educational services experience. Teaching and/or educational services

experience completed in a New Jersey school district shall have been under an

appropriate New Jersey certificate.

129

6A:9B-12.7 School business administrator

(a) To be eligible for the school business administrator CE, the candidate shall:

1. Hold a master’s degree or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or

university or be in possession of a certified public accountant license; and

2. Complete at least 18 credits of graduate or undergraduate study in the following areas:

i. Economics;

ii. Law;

iii. Accounting;

iv. Organizational theory;

v. Management or administration; and

vi. Finance.

(b) To be eligible for a provisional administrative certificate with a school business

administrator endorsement, the candidate shall:

1. Hold a school business administrator CE; and

2. Obtain and accept an offer of employment in a position that requires the school

business administrator endorsement in a school district or an approved private school

for students with disabilities that has agreed formally to sponsor the residency.

administrator endorsement, the candidate shall:

1. Possess a provisional certificate pursuant to (b) above;

2. Complete a one-year Commissioner-approved school or school district residency program

while employed under a provisional certificate. The residency shall:

i. Take place in a functioning school or school district environment, and

require the candidate to develop a thorough understanding of the NJSLS,

the Professional Standards for Teachers, and the Professional Standards for

130

School Leaders . Candidates shall demonstrate that understanding by

providing support for the educational goals of the school or school district;

ii. Be conducted in accordance with a standard Department-issued agreement

and entered into by the Department, the employing school or school

district, the candidate, and the residency mentor. No residency program

may be undertaken without a valid agreement;

iii. Be administered by a State-appointed mentor, who shall be an experienced

school business administrator who has completed a State-approved

orientation and who shall supervise and verify the candidate’s completion

of all required experiences and training;

(1) At the start of the residency, the mentor and the school administrator

or chief school administrator shall submit to the Department on a

State-developed form a written recommendation concerning any

area(s) of professional experience that should be waived and additional

teaching or other special experiences, if any, that the individual

candidate should complete before achieving a standard certificate.

(2) Department review and subsequent approval shall consider the

candidate’s past work experience and recommended professional

experiences during residency, which shall be specified in the

standard written agreement; and

iv. Provide professional experiences, training, and a minimum of 145 clock

hours of formal instruction in the areas of standards at (c)2i above; school

plant planning, construction, and maintenance; school financial and legal

practices, including budget planning and administration and double entry

accounting (GAAP); pupil transportation; labor relations and personnel;

insurance/risk administration; and food service administration; and

131

3. Pay to the program provider any fees that may be required by the Department to

cover the cost of the training and mentoring services.

(d) Each candidate for the standard administrative certificate with a school business

administrator endorsement shall be evaluated formally by the mentor on at least three

occasions . The first two evaluations shall be conducted mainly for diagnostic purposes.

The final evaluation shall be the basis for issuance of the candidate’s standard certificate.

All evaluations shall be based on the candidate’s performance in areas of authorization at

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-12.3(d) and reported on State-developed forms.

1. The mentor shall discuss each evaluation with the candidate, and both shall sign each report.

2. The mentor shall send each completed evaluation to the Department.

3. The mentor shall send the recommendation for certification, pursuant to (g) below.

4. The mentor may seek the informal input of the employing district board of

education concerning the candidate’s standard certification.

(e) The mentor shall meet with the candidate at least once a month during the residency. The

mentor shall be available on a regular basis to provide assistance or advice upon the

candidate’s request.

(f) Each candidate for the standard administrator certificate with a school business

administrator endorsement shall be approved or disapproved pursuant to the following

procedures:

1. Before the end of the residency year, the mentor shall submit to the Department a

comprehensive evaluation report on the candidate’s performance, pursuant to

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-12.7(d).

2. This final report shall include one of the following certification recommendations:

i. Approved: Recommends issuance of a standard certificate;

132

ii. Insufficient: Recommends a standard certificate not be issued, but the

candidate be allowed to continue the residency or seek admission to

another residency for one additional year; or

iii. Disapproved: Recommends a standard certificate not be issued and the candidate

shall be prevented from continuing or re-entering a residency.

3. Candidates who receive a recommendation of “approved” shall be issued a

standard certificate.

(g) A candidate who receives a “disapproved” recommendation or two or more “insufficient”

recommendations may appeal to the Board of Examiners pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.13.

(h) The requirements at (a) through (g) above shall not apply to persons who hold standard

administrative certificates with the following endorsements issued before September 1,

1991: school business administrator, assistant superintendent for business, or assistant

executive superintendent with specialization in business administration. Holders of those

endorsements shall be entitled prospectively to apply for all positions in the general

category of business administration.

(i) Board secretaries who lack certification but were assigned prior to September 1, 1991, to

perform the business administration functions at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-12.3(d) shall be

permitted to retain indefinitely their positions in the school districts in which they were

employed prior to September 1, 1991.

6A:9B-12.8 Requirements for interstate reciprocity

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, any applicant for an

administrative certificate who presents a valid administrative certificate issued by any

other state shall be issued, upon payment of the appropriate fee, a New Jersey

administrative CE for the equivalent New Jersey endorsement(s) for school administrator,

principal, or school business administrator, or shall be issued the equivalent New Jersey

133

standard supervisor endorsement. If there is no equivalent current New Jersey

endorsement, then the provisions at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-12.1 through 12.7 shall apply to the

candidate. The following limitation shall apply:

1. If New Jersey has an equivalent endorsement with required subject-matter test for the

candidate’s endorsement, the applicant shall have passed a state subject-matter test to

receive the out-of-State endorsement or else shall pass the appropriate New Jersey

subject-matter test. This limitation shall not apply if the applicant has five years of

experience in good standing under the out-of-State certificate. Experience in good

standing shall be documented by a letter of experience from the applicant’s supervisor

or authorized school district representative.

Subchapter 13. Acting Administrators

6A:9B-13.1 General provisions

(a) If illness, death, or another good and sufficient reason causes the district board of

education to fill the position of superintendent, assistant superintendent, school business

administrator, principal, or vice principal with a person who is designated as the acting

administrator in a respective situation and who does not hold the CE or the standard New

Jersey certificate required for the position, the district board of education shall apply, in

writing, to the Commissioner, through the executive county superintendent, for permission

to employ the person in an acting capacity and state the reason(s) why the action is

necessary. If the stated reason(s) justifies the need to appoint a person as an administrator

in an acting capacity who is not properly certified to hold the position, the Commissioner

may approve the request on a case-by-case basis.

(b) Commissioner approval shall be for three months’ duration, and may be renewed for a

period of three months at a time on a case-by-case basis upon application. If the acting

status of the individual is to extend beyond a year, the district board of education shall

134

apply, in writing, to the Commissioner, through the executive county superintendent, for

permission to employ the person in an acting capacity and state the reason(s) why the

action is necessary. The Commissioner may recommend to the State Board whether to

approve the district board of education’s application for a letter of temporary certification.

Commissioner will issue a letter of temporary certification.

Subchapter 14. Requirements for Educational Services Certification

6A:9B-14.1 Qualifications/general provisions

(a) To be eligible for an educational services certificate, the candidate shall hold the appropriate

degree and complete the Department-required test(s) and one of the following:

1. A Department-approved educational services program at a New Jersey college or

university;

2. An accredited educational services program at an out-of-State college or

university; or

3. All requirements for individual educational services endorsements pursuant to

N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-14.3 through 14.21 as determined through a formal credentials

evaluation by the Office.

(b) Holders of educational services certificates shall be authorized to serve in preschool

through grade 12.

2004 may continue to serve in the service areas in which the teaching staff member was

authorized to serve under the former rules.

135

6A:9B-14.2 Student assistance coordinator

(a) The student assistance coordinator (SAC) endorsement authorizes the holder to perform the

functions of a SAC in preschool through grade 12. The SAC position shall be separate and distinct

from any other employment position in the school. The functions of the SAC may include:

1. Assisting with the in-service training of school staff concerning substance abuse

and related issues and with the school district program to combat substance abuse;

2. Serving as an information resource for substance abuse prevention, curriculum

development, and instruction;

3. Assisting the school district in revising and implementing substance abuse and

related policies and procedures;

4. Developing and administering substance abuse and related intervention services in

the school district;

5. Providing counseling and referral services to students regarding substance abuse

and related problems; and

6. Cooperating with community service providers or other officials in the rendering

of substance abuse and related treatment services.

(b) To be eligible for the SAC CE, the candidate shall present one of the following:

1. A bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university; a valid

New Jersey or out-of-State standard certificate as school psychologist, school

social worker, school counselor, director of school counseling services, or school

nurse; and evidence of graduate study, pursuant to (c)2i through iv below;

2. A bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university, a valid

Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential issued by the Alcohol and

Drug Counselor Committee of the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy

Examiners, and evidence of graduate study in areas at (c)2iii, vi, and vii below; or

136

3. A bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university and a valid

Certified Prevention Specialist credential issued by the Addiction Professionals

Certification Board of New Jersey and evidence of graduate study in areas at

1. Hold a standard instructional certificate; a school psychologist, school social

worker, school counselor, director of school counseling services, or school nurse

endorsement; a valid Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential

issued by the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee of the State Board of

Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners; a valid Certified Prevention Specialist

credential issued by the Addiction Professionals Certification Board of New

Jersey; or a master’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university;

2. Complete a Department-approved graduate program with a minimum of 21 semester-

hour credits that include study in the following required areas:

i. Fundamentals of substance abuse and dependency;

ii. Child and adolescent development, including research-based strategies for

supporting at-risk students;

iii. Curriculum planning, implementation, and staff development;

iv. Coordination and delivery of intervention and referral services and

prevention services in school and community settings, including

multidisciplinary intervention teams;

v. Assessment and counseling of students and families affected by substance abuse;

vi. School culture and the dynamics of policy and program development; and

vii. School law as it relates to substance abuse; and

3. Complete a college-supervised SAC practicum.

137

(d) To be eligible for a provisional educational services certificate with a SAC endorsement,

the candidate shall:

1. Possess a SAC CE or CEAS; and

2. Obtain an offer of employment in a position that requires the SAC certificate.

(e) To be eligible for a standard educational services certificate with a SAC endorsement, the

candidate shall:

1. Possess a provisional educational services certificate with a SAC endorsement

pursuant to (d) above;

2. Complete a Department-approved graduate program pursuant to (c) above.

i. Candidates who possess a SAC CE shall be exempt from the requirement at

3. Complete a six-month State-approved school residency while employed full-time

under a provisional educational services certificate with a SAC endorsement. If

employed half-time, the residency period shall be 12 months. The residency program

shall be conducted under the direction of a State-approved residency supervisor who

shall hold a standard certificate with a supervisor, principal, or school administrator

endorsement. The residency program shall:

i. Operate in accordance with a residency agreement issued by the

Department and entered into by the Department, the employing school, the

candidate, and the State-approved residency supervisor; and

ii. Include professional experiences in chemical health curriculum planning;

implementation and staff development; development and coordination of

substance abuse intervention and referral services; development and

coordination of prevention program services; and the development of

school drug and alcohol policies and procedures.

138

(f) The State-approved residency supervisor shall have primary responsibility to assure the

candidate receives appropriate training, support, practicum experiences, and professional

opportunities in the critical job responsibilities specified in the agreement and consistent

with (a) above. The residency supervisor shall also evaluate and verify the completion of

all required experiences according to the terms and conditions of the residency agreement.

(g) Upon completion of the residency period, the residency supervisor shall complete a

comprehensive evaluation report on the candidate’s performance based on the candidate’s

ability to complete the job duties pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40A-18.c and to implement the

theoretical concepts at (c)2 above. The residency supervisor shall discuss the evaluation

report with the candidate, and the supervisor and candidate shall sign the report as

evidence of the discussion. The residency supervisor shall submit the completed

evaluation to the Office. The evaluation on each candidate shall include one of the

following recommendations:

1. Approved: Recommends issuance of a standard educational services certificate

with a SAC endorsement;

2. Insufficient: Recommends a standard educational services certificate with a SAC

endorsement not be issued, but the candidate be allowed to continue the residency or

seek admission to an additional residency. Except for candidates who receive approval

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.13(d), a candidate who receives a second insufficient

recommendation shall be precluded from continuing or re-entering a residency; or

3. Disapproved: Recommends a standard educational services certificate with a SAC

endorsement not be issued. The candidate shall be precluded from continuing or

re-entering a residency.

(h) If the candidate disagrees with the residency supervisor’s recommendation, the candidate

may appeal the recommendation pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.12.

(i) An emergency certificate is not available for the SAC endorsement.

139

6A:9B-14.3 School nurse

(a) The school nurse endorsement authorizes the holder to perform nursing services and to

teach in areas related to health in public schools in preschool through grade 12.

(b) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with a school nurse

endorsement, a candidate shall hold or complete the following professional licenses,

degrees, certifications, and training:

1. A current New Jersey registered professional nurse license issued by the New

Jersey State Board of Nursing;

2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;

3. A current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillators

(AED) certification as issued by the American Heart Association, the American Red

Cross, the National Safety Council, or other entities determined by the Department of

Health to comply with the American Heart Association’s CPR guidelines; and

4. Complete training in airway management and in the use of nebulizers and inhalers

consistent with nationally recognized standards, including, but not limited to, those

of the National Institutes of Health and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma

and Immunology.

the preparation of school nurses or a program of studies that is a minimum of 21 semester-

hour credits and that includes study in the following topics:

1. A minimum of six semester-hour credits in school nursing, including school health

services, physical assessments, organization and administration of the school

health program and clinical experience in a school nurse office;

2. Health assessment;

3. Special education and/or learning disabilities;

140

4. Methods of teaching health in preschool through grade 12 including curriculum

development;

5. Public health, including public health nursing, community health problems, and

communicable disease control;

6. Guidance and counseling;

7. School law, including legal aspects of school nursing; and

8. Substance abuse.

(d) During the initial three years of employment under a school nurse endorsement, the holder

shall engage in a minimum of 20 hours of professional development in each of the following:

human growth and development; substance abuse and dependency; and human and

intercultural relations. The professional development requirements shall be incorporated into

each endorsement holder’s professional development plan, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-3.

(e) An emergency certificate is not available for the school nurse endorsement.

6A:9B-14.4 School nurse/non-instructional

(a) The school nurse/non-instructional endorsement authorizes the holder to perform nursing

services in public schools in preschool through grade 12. This endorsement does not

authorize the holder to teach in areas related to health.

(b) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with a school nurse/non-

instructional endorsement, a candidate shall hold or complete the following professional

licenses, degrees, certifications, and training:

1. A current New Jersey registered professional nurse license issued by the New

Jersey State Board of Nursing;

2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;

3. A current Providers Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated

External Defibrillators (AED) certification as issued by the American Heart

141

Association, the American Red Cross, the National Safety Council, or other

entities determined by the Department of Health to comply with the American

Heart Association’s CPR guidelines; and

4. Complete training in airway management and in the use of nebulizers and inhalers

consistent with nationally recognized standards, including, but not limited to, those

of the National Institutes of Health and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma

and Immunology.

the preparation of school nurses or a program of studies that is a minimum of 15 semester-

hour credits and that includes study in the following topics:

1. A minimum of six semester-hour credits in school nursing, including school health

services, physical assessments, organization and administration of the school

health program, and clinical experience in a school nurse office;

2. Health assessment;

3. Public health, including such areas as public health nursing, community health

problems and communicable disease control;

4. Special education and/or learning disabilities;

5. Guidance and counseling;

6. School law, including legal aspects of school nursing; and

7. Substance abuse.

(d) During the initial three years of employment under a school nurse/non-instructional endorsement,

the holder shall engage in a minimum of 20 hours of professional development in each of the

following: human growth and development; substance abuse and dependency; and human and

intercultural relations. The professional development requirements shall be incorporated into each

endorsement holder’s professional development plan, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-3.

142

(e) Upon the executive county superintendent’s request, the Office may issue an emergency

certificate to a candidate who holds a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or

university, a current New Jersey registered professional nurse license, and current CPR/AED

certification. The candidate shall present evidence of study in public health nursing. The

study must appear on the transcript of an accredited four-year college or university.

6A:9B-14.5 School social worker

(a) The school social worker endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a school social

worker in public schools in preschool through grade 12.

(b) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with a school social worker

endorsement, the candidate shall hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or

university and complete a total of 30 graduate-level semester-hour credits with a study in

each area listed below:

1. Psychology, including general psychology, educational psychology, psychology of

adolescence, and child growth and development;

2. Special education and/or learning disabilities;

3. Social and cultural matters within the school and broader community;

4. A minimum of six semester-hour credits in introductory and advanced social

casework, including principles and practices in social casework, interviewing, and

methods and skills in diagnosis;

5. Mental hygiene and social psychiatry, including dynamics of human behavior and

psychopathology;

6. Medical information, including the role of the social worker in health problems or

fundamentals of substance abuse and dependency;

7. Community organizations, agencies, and resources; and

143

8. Social policy and public welfare services, including the care and protection of at-

risk children and families.

certificate to a candidate who meets the following requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field from an accredited college or

university; and

2. Completion of the coursework at (b)4 above and of at least two other topics at (b)1 ,

2, 3, and 5 through 8 above.

6A:9B-14.6 Speech-language specialist

(a) The speech-language specialist endorsement authorizes the holder to provide service as a

speech-language specialist in preschool through grade 12.

(b) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with a speech-language

specialist endorsement, the candidate shall:

1. Hold a master’s or higher degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited

college or university; and

2. Pass a State-approved test of comprehensive knowledge in the field of speech-

language pathology.

degree in speech-language pathology shall be issued the speech-language specialist

endorsement upon submission of a completed application and the required fee.

(d) A CE with a speech-language specialist endorsement that expires annually on July 31 may

be issued to candidates who meet the requirements at (d)1 or 2 below. To be eligible for a

CE with the speech-language specialist endorsement and subsequent provisional

certificate, a candidate shall either:

144

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology/communication disorders

from an accredited college or university; and

i. Be currently matriculated in a master’s degree program in speech-language

pathology/communication disorders from an accredited college or university; and

ii. Document completion of a minimum of 18 semester-hour graduate credits

in speech language pathology/communication disorders, including a

graduate clinical practicum; or

2. Hold a bachelor’s degree in a major other than speech-language

pathology/communication disorders from an accredited college or university; and

i. Be currently matriculated in a master’s degree program in speech-language

pathology/communication disorders from an accredited college or university; and

ii. Document completion of a minimum of 24 semester-hour graduate credits

in speech language pathology/communication disorders, including a

graduate clinical practicum.

(e) To be eligible for an initial two-year provisional certificate with the speech-language

specialist endorsement, the candidate shall:

1. Possess a CE with the speech-language specialist endorsement; and

2. Obtain an offer of employment in a speech-language specialist position.

(f) To be eligible for a one-time renewal of the provisional speech-language specialist

certificate, a candidate shall:

1. Provide an official college transcript from the speech language

pathology/communication disorders program in which the candidate is

matriculated. The transcript must show a minimum of 12 semester-hour graduate

credits completed each year following the initial issuance of the provisional

certificate and demonstrating annual progress toward completion of the master’s

degree required for the standard certificate; and

145

2. Provide documentation of employment in a speech-language specialist position in a

school district or Department-approved private school for students with disabilities.

(g) A standard certificate may be issued to candidates holding the provisional certificate with

a speech-language specialist endorsement who meet the requirements at (b) above.

(h) An emergency certificate is not available for the speech-language specialist endorsement .

6A:9B-14.7 Director of school counseling services

(a) The director of school counseling services endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a

director, administrator, or supervisor of school counseling services, including the

supervision of educational activities in areas related to and within the counseling program

in preschool through grade 12.

(b) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with a director of school

counseling services endorsement, a candidate shall hold a master’s or higher degree from an

accredited college or university, hold a standard New Jersey educational services certificate

with a school counselor or student personnel endorsement, or an equivalent out-of-State

certificate, and complete three years of successful experience as a school counselor in

preschool through grade 12. In addition, the candidate shall complete one of the following:

1. A Department-approved educator preparation program in Director of School

Counseling; or

2. A three-credit graduate-level course in each of the following areas:

i. Administration, including courses such as school law, organization, and

administration of elementary and secondary schools;

ii. Staff supervision, including courses such as supervision and evaluation of

instructional staff, and supervision of school counseling services; and

146

iii. Curriculum development, including courses such as principles of general

curriculum development, elementary and secondary curriculum

development, and extracurricular activities.

certificate to a candidate who meets the following requirements:

1. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university, a standard New Jersey

educational services certificate with a school counselor or student personnel endorsement,

and two years of experience as a school counselor in preschool through grade 12; and

2. A graduate course in staff supervision.

6A:9B-14.8 School counselor

(a) The school counselor endorsement authorizes the holder to perform school counseling

services such as study and assessment of individual students with respect to their academic

status, abilities, interest, and needs; counseling in collaboration with administrators,

teachers, students, and parents regarding personal, social, educational, and vocational

plans and programs; and developing cooperative relationships with community agencies in

assisting children and families. The certificate holder is authorized to perform the services

in preschool through grade 12.

(b) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with a school counselor

endorsement, a candidate shall hold a master’s or higher degree from an accredited college

or university, and complete one of the following:

1. A Department-approved graduate program in school counseling; or

2. A minimum of 48 graduate semester-hour credits in the following areas:

i. Counseling: a minimum of 18 semester-hour credits that shall include study

in theory and procedures of individual and group counseling, counseling

and interviewing techniques, and career counseling;

147

ii. Testing and evaluation: a minimum of three semester hours;

iii. Psychology: a minimum of six semester hours that shall include study

related to child and adolescent psychology, psychology of exceptional

children, and psychology of learning;

iv. Sociological foundations: a minimum of six semester hours that shall

include study in community agencies, organizations, and resources;

v. Statistics and research methods: a minimum of three semester-hour credits;

vi. Supervised counseling practicum as a school counselor in a preschool

through grade 12 school setting: a minimum of six credits. The practicum

shall be supervised by a person holding a standard New Jersey or out-of-

State certificate with a school counselor endorsement; and

vii. Six elective semester hours of study chosen from among the topics at (b)2i

through v above or educational pedagogy.

university whose school counseling program meets the standards of the Council for

Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) will be issued

a standard educational services certificate with a school counselor endorsement.

(d) Upon the executive county superintendent’s request, the Office may issue an emergency

certificate to a candidate who meets the following requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; and

2. Fifteen graduate semester-hour credits of study from the areas at (b)2i through iv

above. At least six of the 15 credits shall be from the areas at (b)2i above.

6A:9B-14.9 School psychologist

(a) The school psychologist endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a psychologist in

preschool through grade 12.

148

(b) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with a school psychologist

endorsement, a candidate shall hold a master’s or higher degree from an accredited college

or university and complete the following:

1. A Department-approved graduate program or a minimum of 60 semester-hour

graduate credits in the following areas:

i. Educational foundations/school psychology practice and development: a

minimum of 12 semester-hour credits in areas such as the role and function

of the school psychologist, multicultural education, educational organization

and leadership, curriculum development, and learning theories;

ii. Education of students with disabilities: a minimum of six semester-hour

credits in areas such as education and/or psychology of students with

disabilities and educational assessment of students with disabilities;

iii. Assessment, intervention, and research: a minimum of 18 semester-hour credits,

including study in the required areas of cognitive assessment, personality

assessment, and school consultation. Additional study may be completed in areas

such as applied behavior analysis, school interventions, curriculum-based

measurement, multicultural counseling or individual counseling procedures, tests

and measurements, statistics and research design, and analysis;

iv. Human behavioral development: a minimum of 12 semester-hour credits in areas

such as human development, social psychology, personality psychology,

neurological and/or physiological basis of behavior, and psychopathology; and

v. Electives: additional study in areas at (b)1i , ii, iii, and iv above.

Externships and practicum experiences may be accepted for elective study.

2. A practicum of 300 clock hours. The practicum shall consist of a sequence of

closely supervised on-campus and field-based activities designed to develop and

149

evaluate a candidate’s mastery of distinct professional skills consistent with

program and/or course goals;

3. An externship of 1,200 clock hours. A minimum of 600 clock hours shall be

completed in a school setting with school-age children. The remaining clock hours

may be completed in a school or clinical setting, or may be completed under an

emergency certificate while concurrently participating in an approved college or

university school psychology program. Externship experiences completed in a school

setting shall be supervised by a person holding a standard New Jersey or out-of-State

educational services certificate with a school psychologist endorsement; and

accredited college or university and present official documentation of 600 clock hours of

experience as a psychologist working with children in a clinical setting shall meet the

school psychology externship and practicum requirements by completing a 900-clock-

hour school psychology externship in a New Jersey school, with school-age children,

under a New Jersey emergency certificate.

(d) The externship for a candidate for the standard educational services certificate with a

school psychologist endorsement shall comply with the following:

1. The externship shall be taken under the direction of an accredited college or university

as part of a program for the preparation of school psychologists.

i. In cases where the Office is issuing an emergency certificate, it may

approve an equivalent externship that is not under the jurisdiction of a

college or university program.

2. The college or university shall arrange externships as a program of supervised

experiences. Externship credit shall not be awarded for clinical or laboratory work

done as part of the requirements in courses such as “cognitive or personality

assessment” or “school consultation.”

150

3. At least 50 percent of the externship shall be in the psychological services division of a

school district or in a college or university demonstration center that serves a cross section

of school-age children. A person holding a standard New Jersey school psychologist

certificate shall provide local supervision for the period of externship training.

4. The college, university, or school district, as appropriate, shall provide the extern

with various group and individual achievement tests, personality and cognitive

assessment tools, and the results of audiometric and visual screening.

5. The college, university, or school district, as appropriate, shall provide the extern

with adequate office space for conferences, counseling, and diagnostic studies.

6. For purposes of study and guidance, the college, university, or school district, as

appropriate, shall provide the extern with access to comprehensive records on

pupil growth and development.

7. The college, university, or school district, as appropriate, shall provide the extern

with supervised experience in the following areas: in-service programs for faculty

members; conferences with special personnel; utilization of available community

resources; conducting a diagnostic study; report writing; building relationships

with the community; and counseling pupils, parents, and faculty.

8. No more than 50 percent of the externship can take place in an approved hospital,

institution, clinic, or agency established for the study and/or treatment of children

and adults with special needs. A licensed psychologist or school psychologist shall

supervise the extern during the hospital, institution, clinic, or agency experience.

The director of the hospital, institution, clinic, or agency shall certify that the

externship experience includes the following: conducting a diagnostic study;

reporting, writing, and communicating diagnostic findings; and participating in

staff planning and evaluating conferences.

151

(e) A school district seeking authorization for the employment of an extern under an

emergency certificate shall submit a request to the executive county superintendent for

preliminary approval. The request shall include the following information:

1. The name of the fully certified school psychologist in the school district under whose

supervision the externship will be carried out. The supervising school psychologist

shall hold a standard educational services certificate with a school psychologist

endorsement and shall have three years of experience under the endorsement;

2. The nature and extent of the training experiences that will be provided under

supervision during the externship;

3. The dates of the externship period;

4. The total number of clock hours to be worked during the externship; and

5. Official college transcripts showing successful completion of a minimum of 40

semester-hour graduate credits pursuant to (b)1 above that shall include study in

the areas of cognitive assessment, personality assessment, and school consultation,

pursuant to (b)1iii above.

(f) Upon the executive county superintendent’s request, the Office may issue an emergency

certificate to a candidate who meets the following requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; and

2. Official college transcripts showing successful completion of a minimum of 30

semester-hour graduate credits applicable toward the standard certificate with a school

psychologist endorsement in the areas at (b)1i through v above. The credits shall

include study and practicum experience in assessment.

(g) The Office will issue a standard educational services certificate with a school psychologist

endorsement to holders of a currently valid Nationally Certified School Psychologist

(NCSP) license.

152

6A:9B-14.10 Learning disabilities teacher-consultant

(a) The learning disabilities teacher-consultant endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as

a learning disabilities teacher-consultant in preschool through grade 12.

(b) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with a learning disabilities

teacher-consultant endorsement, a candidate shall:

1. Hold a master’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university;

2. Hold a standard New Jersey or out-of-State instructional certificate; and

3. Have three years of successful teaching experience.

1. A Department-approved graduate program for the preparation of learning

disabilities teacher-consultants;

2. A master’s degree in educational disabilities from an accredited program; or

3. A minimum of 24 semester-hour graduate credits chosen from the topics at (c)3i

through x below. The candidate shall complete coursework in the topics at (c)3i

through ix below and may take elective credits in any area at (c)3i through x below.

i. Education of students with disabilities, including study in history of the

development of educational services for children in each area of

exceptionality; study of present services, research, and professional ethics

dealing with the characteristics of children who differ from the norm

intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally; evaluation of present

practices in the education of students with disabilities; study of the

relationship of educational practices and their environmental settings; and

cultural and linguistic diversity;

ii. Learning theory, including study in motivation and its effect on learning;

leading theories of learning; rewards and incentives; and interests and

climate for learning;

153

iii. Remediation of basic skills, including study in research-based corrective

methods and materials as related to specific diagnostic findings, NJSLS

requirements, and the school and classroom environment;

iv. Physiological bases for learning, including study of the neurological

development and physical readiness of the normal child for learning;

abnormal health conditions that contribute to educational disability; and

metabolic and infectious disorders that affect learning;

v. Orientation in psychological testing, including study of an overview of tests

applicable to educational psychology; interpretation of psychological

reports as applied to tests administered; the appropriate use of tests and the

potential misuse of test results; and test construction theory;

vi. Diagnosis of learning problems, including study of the nature and cause of

learning problems; formulating an evaluation plan for educational

assessments; administering and interpreting technically sound and culturally

responsive standardized instruments and functional assessment procedures to

determine educational levels, underlying deficits, and learning style; methods

of arriving at a diagnosis based on evidence available from each child study

team (CST) member; and ways of reporting diagnostic findings;

vii. Accommodations and modifications as a method of providing service to

children with learning problems, including utilization of validated methods for

adapting instruction for diverse learning needs; technology for students with

disabilities; understanding of accommodations and modifications in

curriculum, materials, methods, classroom structures, and assessment;

utilization of the individualized education plan (IEP) and accommodation and

modification of the NJSLS; methods to enhance social relationships and

positive behavior methods; focus on the inclusive classroom environment;

154

legal issues related to the CST’s responsibilities, including the requirements of

a free appropriate public education, least restrictive environment, the

determination of eligibility, and IEP development;

viii. Collaboration theory and practice, including theory and process of

conducting collaborations; establishing collaborative partnerships between

general and special educators, with parents and families, and with

paraprofessionals; methods of co-teaching, including in-class support and

classroom consultation; preparation for participating in a multidisciplinary

CST setting with opportunities for modeling and participation in team

staffings and parent conferences; opportunities to observe, rehearse, and

present results from evaluations in practice sessions;

ix. A college-supervised, graduate-level practicum in diagnosis and remediation

of educational disabilities in school and clinical situations;

(1) The definition and nature of this practicum, and the courses

through which it will be provided, shall be clear in the program

description. The practicum shall provide for a minimum of 90 clock

hours of college-supervised experience. The practicum shall not be

a student-teaching experience; and

x. Elective study chosen from areas such as group dynamics; methods and

materials for teaching students with disabilities; curriculum development in

the teaching of students with disabilities; teaching of reading;

assistive/adaptive technology; interviewing and counseling; educational

psychology; and community resources.

(d) Upon the executive county superintendent’s request, the Office may issue an emergency

certificate to a candidate who has obtained the following:

1. A standard instructional certificate;

155

2. Three years of teaching experience; and

3. A minimum of 12 graduate credits in educational disabilities, including

psychological testing.

6A:9B-14.11 School occupational therapist

(a) The school occupational therapist endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as an

occupational therapist in preschool through grade 12.

(b) To be eligible for the school occupational therapist endorsement, a candidate shall have:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;

2. Completed a program in occupational therapy from an approved school; and

3. A currently valid occupational therapist license issued by the New Jersey

Occupational Therapy Advisory Council.

6A:9B-14.12 School physical therapist

(a) The school physical therapist endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a physical

therapist in preschool through grade 12.

(b) To be eligible for the school physical therapist endorsement, a candidate shall have:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;

2. Completed a program in physical therapy from an accredited college or university

physical therapy program approved for the education and training of physical

therapists by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of

Education, Office of Postsecondary Education; and

3. A currently valid license issued by the New Jersey Board of Physical Therapy Examiners.

156

6A:9B-14.13 Reading specialist

(a) The reading specialist endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a reading specialist in

preschool through grade 12. A reading specialist conducts in-service training of teachers and

administrators; coordinates instruction for students or groups of students having difficulty

learning to read; diagnoses the nature and cause of a student’s difficulty in learning to read; plans

developmental programs in reading for all students; recommends methods and materials to be

used in the school district reading program; and contributes to the collection of standardized data

as a means of determining and monitoring the reading achievement of students.

(b) A candidate applying for this endorsement on or before August 31, 2025, shall have

completed a master’s degree from an accredited college or university, two years of

successful teaching experience, and one of the following:

1. A Department-approved graduate-degree program in reading; or

2. A program of graduate studies of 30 semester-hour credits consisting of the following:

i. Reading foundations;

ii. Diagnosis of reading problems;

iii. Correction of reading problems;

iv. Supervised practicum in reading; and

v. Study in at least three of the following areas: children’s or adolescent literature;

measurement; organization of reading programs; psychology; staff supervision;

linguistics; special education; research; and foundations of education.

completed a master’s degree from an accredited college or university, three years of

successful teaching experience, and one of the following:

1. A Department-approved graduate-degree program in reading with a program of

study that consists of the following topics or a program of graduate studies of 30

semester-hour credits consisting of the following topics:

157

i. Advanced study of reading and structured literacy, including phonics, phonemic

awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print;

ii. Diagnosis and correction of reading problems, including a supervised

clinical experience of at least 30 hours;

iii. Supervised clinical internship in reading that focuses on the

implementation of schoolwide literacy leadership, coaching/professional

development, and the diagnosis, planning, and correction of reading

problems in a supplemental/in-class setting;

iv. Advanced study of children’s or adolescent literature with a focus on

integration of diverse, multilingual, and/or multicultural text;

v. Organization of reading programs and professional development strategies

to improve the teaching of literacy;

vi. Strategies for remediation of writing for learners;

vii. Advance study of integrating literacy strategies across content areas;

viii. Remediation and foundational reading strategies for adolescent readers; and

ix. Advanced study of literacy strategies for supporting students with varying

abilities and multilingual learners; or

2. Hold a master’s degree in literacy, reading, or another related field from an

accredited college or university and have completed courses that cover the areas

listed at (c)1 above, as indicated on a transcript.

(d) An emergency certificate may be issued to a candidate applying for the emergency

certificate on or before August 31, 2025, who has obtained the following:

1. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university;

2. Two years of successful teaching experience; and

3. Completion of 12 graduate credits in the areas listed at (b)2 above.

158

(e) An emergency certificate may be issued to a candidate applying for the emergency

endorsement on or after September 1, 2025, who has obtained the following:

1. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university;

2. Three years of successful teaching experience; and

3. Completion of 12 graduate credits in the areas listed at (c)1 above and enrollment in

continuing education to meet the remaining requirements listed at (c)1 above.

6A:9B-14.14 School library media specialist

(a) The school library media specialist (SLMS) endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as

a school library media specialist in preschool through grade 12. The functions include:

delivery of instruction in information literacy skills; the development and coordination of

school library media programs and resources; and the delivery of instruction in the

evaluation, selection, organization, distribution, creation, and utilization of school library

media. Media are defined as all print, non-print, and electronic resources, including the

technologies needed for their use.

(b) To be eligible for a CE with the SLMS endorsement, a candidate shall hold a master’s

degree in library media studies from an accredited college or university.

degree from an accredited college and complete the following:

1. Hold a standard New Jersey or out-of-State instructional certificate. A military

science endorsement will not satisfy this requirement;

2. A Department-approved graduate program that specifically prepares the candidate

for the certificate; or

3. A program of graduate studies consisting of a clinical experience that includes

instruction and management, which shall be completed in a school library media

159

center, and a minimum of 36 semester-hour credits in a coherent sequence of

studies, including the following:

i. Organization and coordination of school library media programs, resources, and

instruction to provide a sequential course of study for students;

ii. Application of learning theory to reading, listening, and viewing library media

resources;

iii. Access, evaluation, selection, and utilization of library media resources;

iv. Design and development of multimedia materials;

v. Design, development, and integration of information literacy skills and the

library media program throughout the school curriculum;

vi. Integration of educational resources and technology throughout the school

curriculum;

vii. Children’s literature and young adult literature;

viii. Development and implementation of policies and procedures for effective

and efficient acquisition, cataloging, processing, circulation, and

maintaining equipment and resources to ensure equitable access;

ix. Development, implementation, and evaluation of library media programs to

meet educational goals, including management of library personnel,

resources, and facilities; and

x. Utilization of current and emergent technologies in all phases of school

library media programs.

(d) To be eligible for a provisional educational services certificate with a SLMS endorsement,

the candidate shall:

1. Possess a CE or CEAS with the SLMS endorsement; and

2. Obtain an offer of employment in a position that requires the SLMS endorsement.

160

(e) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with a SLMS endorsement,

a candidate shall:

1. Possess a provisional educational services certificate with a SLMS endorsement

pursuant to (d) above;

2. Complete a coherent program at an accredited college or university that includes a

minimum of nine semester-hour credits in educational theory, curriculum design

and integration, teaching methodology, student/learning development, and

behavior management. Holders of a CEAS with the SLMS endorsement are

exempt from this requirement;

3. Complete graduate-level coursework in the school library media topics at (c)3 above

that were not included in the candidiate’s library media master’s program. Holders of

a CEAS with the SLMS endorsement are exempt from this requirement;

4. Complete a year-long school-based residency program in a school library media

center. The residency program shall:

i. Consist of a supervised residency that includes professional experiences in

the delivery of instruction in information literacy skills; the development

and coordination of school library media programs and resources; and the

delivery of instruction in the evaluation, selection, organization,

distribution, creation, and utilization of school library media.

(1) A school administrator, principal, or supervisor shall provide

supervision during the candidate’s provisional year. An experienced

school library media specialist shall mentor the candidate throughout

the residency. If no experienced SLMS is available within the school

district to mentor the candidate, an experienced SLMS may be provided

by a Commissioner-approved mentoring program; and

161

ii. Be agreed upon through a Department-issued residency agreement outlining the

responsibilities as set forth in this section and entered into by the Department,

the employing school, the candidate, and the residency supervisor.

(f) The residency supervisor shall have primary responsibility to ensure the candidate

receives appropriate training, support, mentoring, practicum experiences, and professional

opportunities in the critical job responsibilities specified in the agreement and consistent

with (a) above. The residency supervisor also shall evaluate and verify the completion of

all required experiences according to the residency agreement’s terms and conditions.

(g) Upon completion of the residency period, the supervisor shall complete a comprehensive

evaluation report on the candidate’s performance based on the candidate’s ability to complete

the job duties at (a) above and to implement the theoretical concepts at (c)3 above. The

supervisor shall discuss the evaluation report with the candidate and both shall sign the

report. The residency supervisor shall submit the completed evaluation to the Office. The

evaluation on each candidate shall include one of the following recommendations:

1. Approved: Recommends issuance of a standard educational services certificate

with a SLMS endorsement;

2. Insufficient: Recommends a standard educational services certificate with a SLMS

endorsement not be issued, but the candidate be allowed to continue the residency or

seek admission to an additional residency. Except for candidates who receive approval

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.13(d), a candidate who receives a second insufficient

recommendation shall be precluded from continuing or re-entering a residency; or

3. Disapproved: Recommends a standard educational services certificate with a

SLMS endorsement not be issued. The candidate shall be precluded from

continuing or re-entering a residency.

(h) If the candidate disagrees with the residency supervisor’s recommendation, the candidate

may appeal the recommendation in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.12.

162

(i) The holder of a standard educational services certificate with an associate school library

media specialist (ASLMS) endorsement shall be eligible for the SLMS upon completion

of the requirements at (c)3 above.

(j) Upon the executive county superintendent’s request, the Office may issue an emergency certificate

to a candidate who has a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and has

completed a minimum of 12 graduate-level semester-hour credits in school library media.

(k) An individual who holds one of the following shall be eligible for the standard certificate

with a SLMS endorsement:

1. A permanent New Jersey school librarian or standard certificate with an

educational media specialist endorsement; or

2. A standard certificate with an ALMS endorsement. The candidate also shall

complete a graduate-degree program at an accredited college or university with

specialization in school library media studies.

(l) Individuals holding the school librarian or educational media specialist endorsement may

serve in any position requiring the SLMS endorsement.

6A:9B-14.15 Associate school library media specialist

(a) Effective September 1, 2027, the Department will no longer issue the associate school

library media specialist (ASLMS) endorsement.

1. A candidate who is matriculated and enrolled in classes in a State-approved

education preparation program prior to June 1, 2023, and is recommended by their

educator preparation program no later than August 31, 2027, shall be eligible for

the ASLMS endorsement.

2. Applicants in possession of a written evaluation completed by the Office prior to June

1, 2023, shall have until August 31, 2027, to complete the requirements set forth in

163

the written evaluation. A candidate who does not apply to the Office by August 31,

2027, shall not be eligible for the ASLMS endorsement.

(b) The endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a school library media specialist in

preschool through grade 12 under the supervision of a certified school administrator,

principal, or supervisor. The functions include: delivery of instruction in information

literacy skills; the development and coordination of school library media programs and

resources; and instruction in the evaluation, selection, organization, distribution, creation,

and utilization of school library media. These media are defined as all print, non-print, and

electronic resources, including the technologies needed for their use.

bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and one of the following:

1. A Department-approved graduate program that specifically prepares the candidate

for the certificate; or

2. A program of graduate studies consisting of at least 18 semester-hour credits in a

coherent sequence of studies, including the following:

i. Access, evaluation, selection, and utilization of library media resources;

ii. Organization and coordination of school library media programs, resources,

and instruction to provide preschool through grade 12 students with a

sequential course of studies;

iii. Children’s literature and young-adult literature;

iv. Design, development, and integration of information literacy skills

throughout the school curriculum;

v. Design and development of multimedia materials;

vi. Utilization of current and emergent technologies in all phases of school

library media programs; and

164

vii. A clinical experience that includes instruction and management. This

experience shall be completed in a school library media center.

(d) To be eligible for a CEAS with an ASLMS endorsement, a candidate shall complete the

requirements at (c) above and one of the following:

1. Hold a standard New Jersey or out-of-State instructional certificate. A military

science endorsement shall not satisfy this requirement;

2. Complete a State-approved college educator preparation program with or without

clinical practice; or

3. Complete a coherent college program at an accredited college or university that

includes a minimum of nine semester-hour credits in educational theory,

curriculum design and integration, teaching methodology, student/learning

development, and behavior management.

(e) To be eligible for a provisional educational services certificate with an ASLMS

endorsement, the candidate shall:

1. Possess a CE or CEAS with an ASLMS endorsement; and

2. Obtain an offer of employment in a position that requires the ASLMS endorsement.

(f) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with an ASLMS

endorsement, a candidate shall:

1. Possess a provisional educational services certificate with an ASLMS endorsement

pursuant to (e) above;

2. Complete a coherent college program at an accredited college or university that

includes a minimum of nine semester-hour credits in educational theory,

curriculum design and integration, teaching methodology, student/learning

development, and behavior management. Holders of a CEAS with an ASLMS

endorsement are exempt from the study requirements; and

165

3. Complete a year-long school-based residency program in a school library media

center. The residency program shall:

i. Consist of a supervised residency that includes professional experiences in the

delivery of instruction in information literacy skills and the development and

coordination of school library media programs and resources. In addition, the

residency includes the delivery of instruction in the evaluation, selection,

organization, distribution, creation, and utilization of school library media.

(1) A certified school administrator, principal, or supervisor shall provide

supervision during the candidate’s provisional year. An experienced

school library media specialist shall mentor the candidate throughout

the residency. If no experienced SLMS is available within the school

district to mentor the candidate, an experienced SLMS may be provided

by a Commissioner-approved mentoring program; and

ii. Be agreed upon through a Department-issued residency agreement outlining

the responsibilities as set forth in this section and entered into by the

Department, the employing school, the candidate, and the residency supervisor.

(g) The residency supervisor shall have primary responsibility to ensure the candidate receives

appropriate training, support, mentoring, practicum experiences, and professional

opportunities in the critical job responsibilities specified at (b) above. The residency

supervisor also shall evaluate and verify the completion of all required experiences according

o the residency agreement’s terms and conditions.

(h) Upon the residency period’s completion, the supervisor shall complete a comprehensive

evaluation report on the candidate’s performance based on the candidate’s ability to

complete the job responsibilities at (b) above and to implement the theoretical concepts at

166

shall sign the report. The supervisor shall submit the completed evaluation to the Office.

The evaluation on each candidate shall include one of the following recommendations:

1. Approved: Recommends issuance of a standard educational services certificate

with an ASLMS endorsement;

2. Insufficient: Recommends a standard educational services certificate with an ASLMS

endorsement not be issued, but the candidate be allowed to continue the residency or

seek admission to an additional residency. Except for candidates who receive approval

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.13(d), a candidate who receives a second insufficient

recommendation shall be precluded from continuing or re-entering a residency; or

3. Disapproved: Recommends a standard educational services certificate with an

ASLMS endorsement not be issued. The candidate shall be precluded from

continuing or re-entering a residency.

(i) If the candidate disagrees with the residency supervisor’s recommendation, the candidate may

appeal the recommendation in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-4.12.

(j) Upon the executive county superintendent’s request, the Office may issue an emergency

certificate to a candidate who completes a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or

university and a minimum of six graduate semester-hour credits in school library media.

(k) Policies governing the ASLMS endorsement are as follows:

1. The holder of a standard or permanent New Jersey teacher-librarian or the associate

educational media specialist endorsement shall be eligible for the ASLMS endorsement.

2. The holder of the teacher-librarian or associate educational media specialist

endorsement shall be eligible for an extension of the authorization to carry out the

functions of the ASLMS authorization.

(l) Any certificate holder who holds the standard ASLMS endorsement prior to August 31, 2027,

and the endorsement remains in good standing, may be employed pursuant to the

endorsement, as authorized.

167

6A:9B-14.16 School orientation and mobility specialist

(a) The school orientation and mobility specialist endorsement authorizes the holder to serve

as an orientation and mobility instructor to blind and visually impaired students in public

schools in preschool through grade 12.

(b) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with a school orientation

and mobility specialist endorsement, the candidate shall:

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; and

2. Hold a valid Orientation and Mobility Specialist certification issued by the

Academy for the Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals

(ACVREP) or have successfully matriculated through a university program

approved by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB).

6A:9B-14.17 School athletic trainer

(a) The athletic trainer endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a school athletic trainer

in preschool through grade 12.

(b) To be eligible for the school athletic trainer endorsement, a candidate shall:

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; and

2. Satisfactorily complete the requirements established by the State Board of Medical

Examiners for licensure as an athletic trainer, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:35-10.

6A:9B-14.18 Educational interpreter

(a) The educational interpreter endorsement shall be required for individuals who provide educational

interpreting services, sign language interpreting, oral interpreting, or cued speech transliteration to

students who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind in preschool through grade 12.

168

(b) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with an educational

interpreter-sign language interpreting endorsement, a candidate shall:

1. Hold an associate or higher degree from an accredited college or university and

complete both of the following:

i. The Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) with a

minimum score of 3.5; and

ii. Pass the EIPA Written Test and Knowledge Standards; and

2. Complete one of the following:

i. Twelve semester hour-credits of professional education coursework that

includes study in child development, language development, curriculum

development, methods of instruction, interpreting for deaf-blind students,

and legal and ethical issues for educational interpreters. Such study may be

part of, or in addition to, the degree program and may be completed at an

accredited two-year college; or

ii. A certificate of educational interpreting from an accredited two- or four-year college.

interpreter-cued speech transliteration endorsement, a candidate shall:

1. Have an associate or higher degree; and

2. Achieve a minimum score of 3.5 on the EIPA for cued speech or possess Testing/Evaluation

and Certification Unit (TECUnit) certification; and one of the following:

i. Complete 15 semester-hour credits of professional education coursework

that includes study in child development, language development,

curriculum development, interpreting for deaf-blind students, legal and

ethical issues for educational interpreters, and methods of instruction. The

study may be completed at an accredited two-year college; or

ii. Pass the EIPA Written Test and Knowledge Standards.

169

(d) An emergency educational interpreter certificate with an educational interpreter-sign

language interpreting endorsement may be issued to a candidate with an associate or

higher degree, and who has completed the EIPA with a minimum score of 3.5. The

emergency certificate may be renewed a total of three times.

(e) An emergency educational interpreter certificate with a cued speech transliteration

endorsement may be issued to a candidate with an associate or higher degree and a

minimum score of 3.5 on the EIPA for cued speech or possess TECUnit certification. The

emergency certificate may be renewed a total of three times.

6A:9B-14.19 Cooperative education coordinator – hazardous occupations

(a) The cooperative education coordinator (CEC) – hazardous occupations endorsement

authorizes the holder to serve as a coordinator supervising career and technical education

students who are participating in cooperative education experiences in hazardous

occupations, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 34:2-21.1 et seq., and N.J.A.C. 6A:8 and 6A:19.

This endorsement also authorizes the holder to place and supervise career and technical

education students in school-sponsored cooperative education experiences as part of a

career and technical education program, and to supervise students participating in any

other SLE in any career cluster.

(b) To be eligible for the CEC – hazardous occupations endorsement, the candidate shall present:

1. A standard instructional certificate with a career and technical education

endorsement in any field;

2. Evidence of two years of successful teaching under a standard certificate in career

and technical education with a hazardous occupations endorsement, and

completion of the following:

i. Training in child labor, wage and hour, and wage payment laws and

regulations, as required by the Department of Labor and Workforce

170

Development and the U.S. Department of Labor in accordance with

N.J.S.A. 34:2-21.1 et seq., and N.J.A.C. 12:56 and 12:58;

ii. A minimum of 20 hours of training or a Department-approved equivalent

program in safety and health and required Department procedures and

planning for SLEs pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:19;

iii. Two graduate-level college courses or a Department-approved equivalent

program in instructional strategies for work-based education and career

information/occupational guidance; and

iv. One-thousand hours of employment experience in a hazardous occupation,

as approved by the chief school administrator, in accordance with N.J.S.A.

34:2-21.1 et seq.

endorsement as of January 20, 2004, may serve in a position requiring the CEC -

hazardous occupations endorsement in any career cluster.

(d) An emergency certificate in CEC – hazardous occupations may be issued to a candidate

who meets the requirements at (d)1 through 3 below. The candidate shall complete the

requirements for the standard certificate in no more than 24 months from the issuance date

of the emergency certificate.

1. A standard instructional certificate with a career and technical education endorsement;

2. Two years of successful career and technical education teaching experience; and

3. One-thousand hours of employment experience in a hazardous occupation, as approved

by the chief school administrator, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 34:2-21.1 et seq.

6A:9B-14.20 Cooperative education coordinator

(a) The cooperative education coordinator endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a

coordinator supervising career and technical education students who are participating in

171

cooperative education experiences in non-hazardous occupations in accordance with N.J.S.A.

34:2-21.1 et seq., and N.J.A.C. 6A:8 and 6A:19. This endorsement also permits the holder to

supervise students participating in any other non-hazardous SLE in any career cluster.

(b) To be eligible for the endorsement, the candidate shall present:

1. A standard instructional certificate with a career and technical endorsement in any field; and

2. Evidence of completion of two years of teaching under a standard certificate in

career and technical education, and completion of the following:

i. Training in child labor, wage and hour, and wage payment laws and

regulations, as required by the Department of Labor and Workforce

Development and the U.S. Department of Labor in accordance with

N.J.S.A. 34:2-21.1 et seq., and N.J.A.C. 12:56 and 12:58;

ii. A minimum of 20 hours of training or a Department-approved equivalent

program in safety and health and required Department procedures and

planning for SLEs pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:19; and

iii. Two graduate-level college courses or a Department-approved equivalent

program in instructional strategies for work-based education and career

information/occupational guidance.

endorsement or the teacher-coordinator of cooperative vocational-technical education in

the occupational areas of agriculture education, distributive education, health occupations,

home economics education, or business education endorsements may serve in a position

requiring the CEC endorsement in any career cluster.

(d) An emergency certificate with a cooperative education coordinator endorsement may be

issued to a candidate who meets the requirements at (d)1 and 2 below. The candidate shall

complete the following requirements for the standard certificate in no more than 24

months from the issuance date of the emergency certificate:

172

1. A standard instructional certificate with a career and technical education endorsement; and

2. Two years of successful career and technical education teaching experience.

6A:9B-14.21 Requirements for interstate reciprocity

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, any applicant for an educational

services certificate who presents a valid educational services certificate issued by any

other state shall be issued, upon payment of the appropriate fee, a New Jersey educational

services standard certificate for the equivalent current New Jersey endorsement. If there is

no equivalent current New Jersey endorsement, the provisions at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-14.1

through 14.20 shall apply to interstate reciprocity. The following limitations apply:

1. If New Jersey has an equivalent endorsement with a required subject-matter test

for the applicant‘s endorsement, the applicant shall have passed a state subject-

matter test to receive the out-of-State endorsement, or else shall pass the

appropriate New Jersey subject-matter test. This limitation shall not apply if the

applicant has five years of experience in good standing under the out-of-State

certificate, as documented by a letter of experience from the applicant‘s supervisor

or authorized school district representative;

2. An applicant for interstate reciprocity for a New Jersey educational services certificate

that requires a residency shall receive a CE or CEAS pursuant to this subchapter; and

3. Applicants for educational services reciprocity shall meet all other requirements in this

subchapter for State-issued professional licenses or certifications.

6A:9B-14.22 Bilingual language paraprofessional credential

(a) The bilingual language paraprofessional credential may be utilized for individuals who

provide bilingual instructional support services in preschool through grade 12.

173

(b) To be eligible for the bilingual language paraprofessional credential, a candidate shall

fulfill either (b)1 or 2 below and shall fulfill (b)3 below, as follows:

1. Complete 60 semester-hour credits at an institution of higher education; or

2. Hold an associate or higher degree from an accredited college or university and meet the

test of subject-matter knowledge requirement at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-9.1(a)2 by demonstrating:

i. Oral and writing competence in English by:

(1) Passing a Department-approved, nationally recognized test of oral

and written proficiency in English; or

(2) Establishing the candidate as a speaker of English who was primarily

educated in English at the undergraduate or graduate level; and

ii. Oral and writing competence in the target language by:

(1) Passing a Department-approved, nationally recognized test of oral

and written proficiency in the target language; or

(2) Establishing the candidate as a speaker of the target language who

was primarily educated in the target language at the undergraduate

or graduate level; and

3. Complete six semester-hour credits of professional education coursework that

includes studies in language acquisition, developing literacy skills for a language

learner, methods of teaching content in bilingual education, or theory and practice

of teaching bilingual education. Such studies may be part of, or in addition to, a

degree program and may be completed at an accredited two- or four-year college.

6A:9B-14.23 Early literacy specialist

(a) The early literacy specialist endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a reading

specialist in preschool through grade three. An early literacy specialist conducts in-service

training of teachers and administrators; coordinates instruction for students or groups of

174

students having difficulty learning to read; diagnoses the nature and cause of a student’s

difficulty in learning to read; plans developmental programs in reading for all students;

recommends methods and materials to be used in the school district reading program; and

contributes to the collection of standardized data as a means of determining and monitoring

the reading achievement of students. Additionally, the early literacy specialist may serve as

the primary general education interventionist for any student in preschool through grade

three with a reading or literacy difficulty that is the result of dyslexia or dysgraphia.

1. The early literacy specialist endorsement will be required, beginning at the start of the

2026-2027 school year, to serve in roles that align with the authorizations at (a) above.

(b) A candidate for the early literacy specialist endorsement shall have a bachelor’s degree

from an accredited college or university, three years of successful teaching experience, a

standard New Jersey instructional certificate with a preschool through grade three or

elementary endorsement, and one of the following:

1. Complete a Department-approved post-baccalaureate program that is a minimum of 18

semester-hour credits with a program of study consisting of the following:

i. Advanced study of reading and structured literacy, including phonics, phonemic

awareness, vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, and concepts of print;

ii. Diagnosis and correction of literacy problems of early learners, including a

supervised clinical experience of at least 30 hours;

iii. Organization of reading programs and professional development strategies

to improve the teaching of literacy;

iv. Supervised clinical internship in reading that focuses on the

implementation of schoolwide literacy leadership, coaching/professional

development, and the diagnosis, planning, and correction of reading

problems in a supplemental/in-class setting;

175

v. Methodology that incorporates multi-sensory instructional approaches for

teaching early literacy skills and that helps to remediate learning for

students with dyslexia and/or dysgraphia;

vi. Strategies for remediation of writing for early learners with a focus on the

development of fine-motor skills related to the process of writing; and

vii. Advanced study of literacy strategies for supporting students with varying

abilities and multilingual learners.

2. Hold a master’s degree in early literacy, literacy, reading, or another related field

from an accredited college or university and courses that cover the areas listed at

(b)1 above as indicated on a transcript.

Subchapter 15. Academic Qualifying Credentials

6A:9B-15.1 Academic Qualifying Credentials

(a) “Academic Qualifying Credential” (AQC) means a credential issued by the Commissioner

of Education to applicants for mortuary science and chiropractic licenses. The AQC is

issued to individuals regulated by licensing authorities under the supervision of the New

Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and certifies that the applicants have completed their

preliminary academic education.

(b) Each applicant for a mortuary science or chiropractic license shall satisfy preliminary

academic education criteria, as required by the respective licensing authorities under the

supervision of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.

have completed the preliminary academic education required for the certificate’s issuance.

(d) In accordance with the fee schedule at N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-5.6(b), applicants for the AQC shall

submit with their application payment of the fee, as instructed in the application.