**PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT APPLY for certification via the NJEdCert portal. The TCNJ Certification Office will nominate you for certification directly. Students can apply for certification during the final semester of their program. In accordance with NJDOE requirements, TCNJ cannot nominate candidates for certification until program completion and/or degree conferral has been posted to the official transcript.
For information on Educational Services and Administrative Certificate Requirements visit Requirements for Educational Services and Advanced Certificates | Certification.
Applying for Educational Services & Administrative Certificates
TCNJ’s Certification Office reviews all candidates’ certification materials to ensure they are complete. Our office uses this information to nominate students for New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) certification.
Before You Apply: Set Up Your NJEdCert Account
Before submitting your certification materials to TCNJ, make sure you have access to a New Jersey Educator Certification (NJEdCert) account.
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Create an account in the NJEdCert portal using a personal email address you will continue to have access to after graduation.
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TCNJ uses this email address during the nomination process, and NJDOE will send certification updates and notifications there.
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If you have an existing certification, you likely already have an NJEdCert account. Use that same email address on your TCNJ certification application.
Do not apply for certification directly through NJEdCert. TCNJ will nominate you for certification after reviewing your materials and confirming program completion.
STEP 1: Complete the TCNJ Certification Online Application
Please submit all documents below using the TCNJ Certification Online Application:
- Application for NJ Certification – This application is a word version that you either fill out electronically or as a printout then upload to the online certification application. Some fields only apply to Instructional Certificate applicants, such as Health Test, HIB documentation.
- Test scores – applicable for Principal candidates only
- HIB documentation – applicable for School Counselor candidates only
- Record of Experience from Employer – applicable for Supervisor and Principal candidates only
STEP 2: Wait for an email notification from NJDOE (NJEdCert) that TCNJ has nominated you for certification
- You will receive an email from NJDOE, subject: Your Certificate Nomination
- The email will ask you to log in
- Select Apply Now and proceed as directed by the system to pay for the certification application fee.
Once you’ve paid the certification application fee your certificate will be issued and available to print on the NJEDCERT Portal.
Timeline and Notes
Only complete the TCNJ online application if you have all your materials gathered. You are welcome to submit your application with partial materials to the TCNJ Certification Office via email prior for review.
Once your online application is submitted, you will receive an email verification; keep it for future reference. The Certification application review process takes roughly 1-2 weeks. However, you will not be eligible for nomination until your program completion.