Overview of New Jersey Testing Requirements

How to Qualify for Certification

For certification in New Jersey, all candidates must:

• Earn a baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Complete an approved program of teacher education OR a district training program for licensure.
• Maintain cumulative GPA requirements in the baccalaureate or state-approved post-baccalaureate certification program.
• Pass The Praxis Series™ tests for their certification area.
• Submit the appropriate forms and fees required for licensure.
• Pass an examination in physiology and hygiene, administered at the county offices of education. In lieu of this examination, the applicant may present basic military training or college level study in areas such as biology, health or nutrition.

Applicants are strongly advised to consult the New Jersey Licensing Code for specific eligibility requirements for obtaining provisional and standard instructional certificates.

Important Information

• Beginning with the 2012–13 testing year, ETS is administering a new version of the Theatre test. The test will have a new test code: 0641. The new test covers the same content as the previous test. However, scores are reported on a different scale, so requirements will vary from previous versions. All scores for discontinued tests are reportable for 10 years from the date the test was taken. Consult the Test Requirements table for specific score requirements.

• ETS is offering several additional tests in a computer-delivered format that will be introduced throughout the testing year. Visit Test Centers and Dates to find testing centers near you. For tests available in both formats (paper and computer), the computer-delivered versions cover the same content as the paper-delivered versions and are scored on the same scale; however, the computer-delivered tests have different test codes.

  • Art: Content Knowledge (5134) — February 2013
  • Biology: Content Knowledge (5235) — September 2012
  • Business Education: Content Knowledge (5101) — December 2012
  • Chemistry: Content Knowledge (5245) — September 2012
  • Earth and Space Sciences: Content Knowledge (5571) — October 2012
  • Family and Consumer Sciences (5121) — December 2012
  • General Science: Content Knowledge (5435) — September 2012
  • Music: Content Knowledge (5113) — February 2013
  • Physics: Content Knowledge (5265) — September 2012
  • School Superintendent Assessment (6021)* — December 2012
  • Speech-Language Pathology (5330) — December 2012

  * This test is not available in a paper-delivered format except as required for ADA accommodations.

• New Jersey requires a Social Security number (SSN) in order to process educator certification paperwork. ETS does not require your SSN for its own purposes, but will submit it to New Jersey with your test results. Failure to provide your SSN could delay processing of your certification application.
• Applicants for New Jersey licensing for subject teaching fields must pass the appropriate Praxis II® Subject Assessment(s). The tests are required for all applicants, including those who are licensed in other states. Certain teaching fields are exempt, as noted in the listing below.
• Applicants for licensing for the Speech-Language Specialist endorsement must pass the Speech-Language Pathology specialty area test.
• Applicants for licensing for the Principal and/or School Administrator endorsements must pass the appropriate School Leadership Series test.
• The following teaching fields are currently exempt from passing a Praxis II Subject Assessment test: Agriculture; Bilingual/Bicultural Education; English as a Second Language; World Languages, Other; Health Education; Military Science; Psychology; and Special Education. Please contact the New Jersey Department of Education's Office of Licensing and Credentials for current requirements.

Who Must Take the Tests?

Teacher candidates or those wishing to become certified must take The Praxis Series tests.

Prior to entering a teacher education program at your college or university, you may also be required to take the Praxis I® tests to demonstrate your qualifications.

In New Jersey, you must take the appropriate Praxis II tests for each area of certification you seek.

See also:

• About the Praxis™ Tests
• The Praxis Series Information Bulletin
• Prepare for a Test
• Register for a Test
• Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities