**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 Instructional Certificate Requirements visit Requirements for Instructional Certificates | Certification.
How to Apply for Instructional Certificates
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 previously applied for a substitute credential or any other certification on or after May 31, 2022, 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
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.
Gather the following materials and upload to the TCNJ Certification Online Application:
- Application for NJ Certification – Please sign and date the application. This application is a word version that you either fill out electronically or as a printout then upload to the online certification application.
- Test scores – Praxis II subject tests or ACTFL oral and written test results – please include copy of your test scores in your application.
- HIB documentation – please include an HIB certificate or note the relevant course you took that covered harassment, intimidation and bullying training on your application (currently: ECE 301, ECE 498, ELE 90, ELE 99, ELE 301, ELM 695, SED 99, SPED 535, SPED 535 (course list subject to change). If you aren’t sure, check with your faculty advisor to confirm that your course included HIB training.
- NJ Health requirement – Take the NJDOE Health & Physiology Test or note the relevant college level Biology course, such as BIO 104. If you are taking the test, please take a screenshot of the final page for your records.
Submit the documents via the TCNJ Certification Online Application. Please use the link provided on the TCNJ Certification Application system to complete a survey about your program experience. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an email verification; keep it for future reference.
Please do not complete the TCNJ Certification Online Application until you are able to submit all of the required documents at once. If you have questions or want to check you have all your materials, email the Certification Office at Certification@tcnj.edu.
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 Teaching 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.
Teacher Candidate Completer Survey
Don’t forget to take our Teacher Candidate Completer Survey. This survey helps us collect important program feedback and is required as part of the certification process. Please complete the appropriate survey based on your program:
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Completer Survey for Teacher Candidate (with Student Teaching) – for students who completed a student teaching/clinical experience as part of their program
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Completer Survey for Teacher Candidate (with No Student Teaching) – for students whose program did not include student teaching
Timeline and Notes
Only complete the TCNJ online application if you have all your materials gathered. You are welcome to submit 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.