What should I do if I am offered a job before I receive my license?
Upon successful completion of your TCNJ program, conferral of your degree and the submission of your TCNJ application for certification, you can request a letter from the Certification Office for any school district interested in interviewing or hiring you for a teaching position that will provide an update on your candidacy status. If you have your Substitute Teacher Certificate you can work under that certification temporarily.
Where can I find the NJDOE requirements for the license/endorsement I am pursuing?
Go to: Certifications and Endorsement page.
What clearances are required to participate in field experiences?
Criminal History and Background Checks are required.
Go to: Clearances and Obtaining a Substitute Teacher Certificate page.
How do I obtain a copy of my fingerprints/criminal history background results?
The NJ DOE and Identogo will not notify you when the background check is complete. Go to: NJDOE Office of Student Protection Services to obtain a copy of your clearance.
How do I get a Substitute Teaching Certificate?
Go to: Clearances and Obtaining a Substitute Teacher Certificate page.
The process takes six to eight weeks. Plan accordingly please.
What is the state required Health and Physiology Test?
All teacher candidates must successfully complete a course in the Biological Sciences, BIO104, or register for the Health/Physiology test administered by NJDOE.
You can access the test here. In order to register, you must already have an account with NJEdCert and have a tracking number (found in your NJEdCert account). Please take a screenshot of your submission when finished.
DOWNLOAD THE HEALTH TEST STUDY GUIDE
What is the Grade Point Average (GPA) and Praxis Flexibility Requirements for Instructional Certificates?
View the NJ Gov Page on GPA and Praxis Flexibility.
ETS – Core Basic Skills and Praxis Content for Teaching FAQ
What is ETS Testing?
ETS, or Educational Testing Service, is a non-profit organization that develops and administers a wide range of educational assessments, including Praxis tests. In some cases, you will be required to complete PRAXIS exam(s). See New Jersey’s testing requirement by certification type.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT BASIC SKILLS
As of January 1, 2025, you are no longer required to complete the PRAXIS basic skills tests to receive a CEAS. The Governor signed A1669/P.L.2024, c.26, which eliminates the requirement to complete a Commissioner of Education-approved test of basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills (Basic Skills) for all instructional certificates except for the limited certificate of eligibility (CE) and the limited certificate of eligibility with advanced standing (CEAS).
How do I register for the Praxis II exam?
You can register online with ETS here.
*2023/2024 Praxis Test Codes for New Jersey:
Please see the 2023-2024 Updated Praxis Test Requirements.
IMPORTANT: Once you are registered, be sure to DOUBLE CHECK that you have signed up to take a test that NEW JERSEY accepts. Different states have very similar test names, but if you wish to be certified in New Jersey, you must register for ONLY those test codes accepted by New Jersey. Exams for New Jersey can be found here.
What happens if I fail the Praxis II exam?
The Praxis II may be re-taken.
Do Praxis II scores expire?
Unused Praxis II passing scores have an expiration date of 10 years.
Is there a middle school Praxis test?
Yes, teacher candidates applying for middle school subject area endorsement(s) must pass the Elementary Praxis II test and the subject specific middle school Praxis II test.
If I take the Praxis II in a content area for secondary education certification, do I have to take the Praxis II in the same content area for middle school?
No. A passing score in secondary content area qualifies the teacher for middle school instruction in that subject area.
How do I request accommodations for the Praxis II Test?
Accommodations for the Praxis exams and instructions for how to request them are on the ETS website:
https://www.ets.org/praxis/register/disabilities/accommodations/
Can I get support with the Praxis II fees?
Fee Waivers may be available for college students who meet certain eligibility criteria. Please refer to the Praxis/ETS site for more information.
Contact: Dr. Rachel Townley in the STEP Office – dawsonr@tcnj.edu
Can I take the Praxis II exam at home?
There are more than 70 Praxis exams that may be taken remotely
Please note the following tips and best practices you should be aware of when taking Praxis tests at home:
- Candidates should add their state licensure agency or relevant association as a score recipient, as there is no “Automatic Score Reporting” for at home tests
- Candidates can add score recipients for free until three days after testing by contacting Praxis Customer Service
- Confirm equipment and environment requirements before registering
- Registration is a two-step process, starting with the test taker’s ETS account, then through their ProctorU® account
- Changing a date and/or time of an at home test can be done through the candidate’s ProctorU account
- Cancelling an at home test is done through Praxis Customer Service
ETS has a new video to support the test taker when getting started with at home testing. The video provides a preview of the entire testing from home process.
How do I request accommodations for a Praxis test?
Go to: https://www.ets.org/praxis/site/test-takers/register/disability-accommodations.html#:~:text=The%20easiest%2C%20most%20convenient%20way,by%20mail%20or%20courier%20service.
How do I apply for certification?
While you can apply for certification directly through NJDOE. We suggest you apply for certification through our own application process. This ensures your submission goes smoothly. See Apply for Instructional Certificates or Apply for Advanced Certificates for more information. You can, however, apply directly through the NJDOE. Please refer to the NJDOE FAQ: https://www.nj.gov/education/license/faq.htm
What type of certification do I need?
The NJDOE offers three types of instructional certificates: Certificate of Eligibility, Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing, and a Standard Certificate.
Details on each are available here.
If you are still unclear, you should meet with your Program Coordinator or Department Chair for advisement.
How long will it take before I receive my certificate?
Once your conferred degree has been posted on your transcript and you apply for your certification the Certification Office will confirm you have completed your requirements for certification and begin processing to the NJDOE. The Certification Office process usually takes one week from your application date. Candidates will be issued their certificates instantly after accepting the NJDOE Nomination email.
Can I check the status of my certification?
Information can be found here: https://njedcert.force.com/manage/s/
What if I need to request a name change?
To request a name change, log in to your NJ EdCert account. If you do not have an account in the system you will need to create one.
Go to: https://njedcert.force.com/manage/s/
How do I communicate with the Certification Office?
If you have a question regarding certification, please visit https://certification.tcnj.edu/ to see if the information is provided. If the information is not provided, email us at certification@tcnj.edu.