Requirements for Instructional Certificates

Teacher Candidate Completer Survey

In compliance with accreditation and state program requirements, all students seeking certification must complete a 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:

• Completer Survey for Teacher Candidate (with Student Teaching) – for students who completed a student teaching/clinical experience as part of their program

• Completer Survey for Teacher Candidate (with No Student Teaching) – for students whose program did not include student teaching

Grade Point Average (GPA)

All candidates for certification must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be recommended for a certification by the TCNJ Certification Office.

As of March 2023, the New Jersey Department of Education’s FLEX (Flexibility) Policy provides a modified method for evaluating eligibility by allowing Instructional certification candidates to satisfy requirements through a combination of GPA and Praxis examination scores.

GPA and Praxis Score Flexibility – Candidates with a cumulative GPA below 3.0, but equal to or higher than 2.75, may still meet certification requirements if they earn higher-than-required Praxis subject test scores (10% above passing score).

The New Jersey Department of Education page on GPA and Praxis Flexibility provides information that outline the specific GPA ranges and corresponding Praxis score thresholds. Requirements and passing scores are subject to change without notice. Please check this page for the most up to date information.

Testing

Praxis II Subject Exam

All candidates for certification must complete the appropriate Praxis II Content Knowledge exam(s) for their endorsement area. Candidates must attempt the required exam(s) by the time they submit student teaching applications. Candidates must earn a passing score or qualify for a FLEX score or complete the PRAXIS Bridge program to be recommended for New Jersey certification.

• Candidates can register through Educational Testing Service (ETS) and should ensure they select New Jersey–approved test codes for their chosen certification. These are set by the New Jersey Department of Education and are subject to change.
• Praxis Flexibility (FLEX) Rule – As with GPA, New Jersey’s FLEX policy allows candidates to meet certification requirements through a combination of GPA and Praxis scores. Candidates who do not meet the standard Praxis passing score may still qualify under the FLEX rule. Candidates with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at graduation qualify for test requirement to be met with a Praxis score within 5% of the required passing score. The New Jersey Department of Education page on GPA and Praxis Flexibility page provides more information, including specific Praxis content test score thresholds.
• For more information about the PRAXIS visit the PRAXIS II Testing Information page.

***DETAILS ABOUT NEW JERSEY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE PRAXIS BRIDGE PROGRAM FORTHCOMING***

ACTFL Language Testing

Language proficiency testing through the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) is required for candidates seeking certification in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual/Bicultural Education. ACTFL scores must be submitted with the certification application.

ESL certification candidates must demonstrate the following language proficiency in English:

• Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) – minimum score of Advanced Low
• Written Proficiency Test (WPT) – minimum score of Advanced Low

Bilingual/Bicultural Education certification candidates must demonstrate the following proficiency in English and the target language:

• English – OPI: Intermediate High; WPT: Advanced Low (Intermediate High accepted if the target language WPT score is Advanced Low)
• Target Language – OPI: Advanced Low; WPT: Advanced Low (Intermediate High accepted if the English WPT score is Advanced Low)

Target Language Testing Exemption: Candidates may be exempt from the target language OPI and WPT if they completed their undergraduate or graduate education primarily in that language, as verified through evaluated foreign transcripts.

SLPI Assessment

To earn a certification as a Teacher of the Deaf or Hard of Hearing for Sign Language Communication, you must achieve an intermediate or higher score on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI), For more information, visit the FAQs about the SLPI Assessment | Special Education, Language and Literacy,

NJ Health and Physiology Requirement

All teacher candidates must successfully complete a course in Biological Sciences, such as BIO104, or take the NJDOE Health Test, a timed 30-minute test completed online. You must already have an account with NJEdCert and have a tracking number (found in your NJEdCert account). At this time, you will need to take a screenshot of the final page for your records and email it to the Certification@tcnj.edu and we will confirm your results with NJDOE. We have created this Health & Phys Test Review Guide to help you prepare.

For information on how to apply for certification and access step-by-step guidance, please visit our Instructional Certificates | Certification page.