Education Licensure Information for New Jersey

You could complete an initial teacher licensure program from ACE and apply it to New Jersey’s out-of-state licensure requirements to obtain your Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) in Elementary (K-6), Middle (5-8) or Secondary (6-12). 

You must satisfy additional requirements, including: 

• Passing the applicable Praxis content test(s). 
• Obtaining a completed Verification of Program Completion (VOPC), which ACE will complete for you. Request the VOPC link during the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Certificate Application and send it to ACE at [email protected]. 
• Meeting a physiology and hygiene Requirement. 

For the most current information about becoming a teacher in New Jersey, please check the New Jersey Department of Education’s website.

Teaching Special Education

If you’re interested in New Jersey’s Students with Disabilities endorsement (pre-K-12), you must hold a Certificate of Eligibility (CE), CEAS or standard certificate with an endorsement appropriate to the subject or grade level you plan to teach. 

ACE’s Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Special Education program is not applicable to New Jersey residents who do not hold a CE or CEAS. Contact an ACE Enrollment Counselor to discuss our M.Ed. in Special Education degree program by emailing [email protected] or calling 800-280-0307, option 2. 

You could complete ACE’s M.Ed. in Educational Leadership or Certificate in Principal Preparation (if you already possess a master’s degree) and apply it to New Jersey’s out-of-state licensure requirements to obtain your Principal Certificate of Eligibility.

As part of your ACE program, you will complete a 300-hour internship in educational leadership aligned to the Professional Standards for School Leaders and in accordance with the roles and responsibilities of a principal, independent of other course requirements.

You must satisfy additional requirements, including:

• Registering for and taking the required certification exam: School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA).
• Obtaining a completed VOPC, which ACE will complete for you. Request the VOPC link during the NJDOE Certificate Application and send it to ACE at [email protected].
• Five years of successful educational experience under a valid provisional or standard New Jersey certificate or equivalent out-of-state certificate.

For the most current information on becoming a principal in New Jersey, please check the New Jersey Department of Education’s website.

Please note: The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Certification in Principal Preparation programs do not qualify for the Supervisor Standard Certificate Endorsement. Additional coursework in curriculum and instruction is required for this endorsement. Please contact [email protected] for additional information.

You could complete ACE’s M.Ed. in Teaching English Learners or Certificate in Teaching English Learners and apply it to New Jersey’s requirements to add an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement to your New Jersey license.

You must submit official transcripts documenting all applicable coursework from your approved ESL educator preparation program. You must also obtain a completed VOPC, which ACE will complete for you. Request the VOPC link during the NJDOE Certificate Application and send it to ACE at [email protected].

For the most current information on this endorsement in New Jersey, please check the New Jersey Department of Education’s website.

Please note: Completion of an ACE program does not guarantee eligibility for licensure or certification in New Jersey. Requirements are determined by the New Jersey Department of Education and evaluated on an individual basis.