Becoming a Substitute Teacher in New Jersey

If you wish to take advantage of the opportunity to become a substitute teacher in NJ, there are several requirements that must be met. In order to qualify for a NJ State Substitute Certificate, an individual must have earned at least thirty or sixty college credits or have obtained an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university and seek and obtain a sponsor school district or organization for Criminal History Record Clearance. Additionally, applicants must pass a criminal background check and meet the requirements of the NJ Department of Education. Once these qualifications have been met, an individual may Apply for your substitute credential on the NJDOE online educator certification system, NJEdCert

60-Credit Instructional Substitute Credential:

• Completion of 60 semester-hour credits at a nationally accredited college or university.
• Criminal History Record Check: approval date must be within 5 months of the application date with “Substitute Teacher” as the job position.

30-Credit Instructional Substitute Credential:

• Completion of 30 semester-hour credits at a nationally accredited college or university.
• Educator must be enrolled in a nationally accredited college or university at the time of application. Verification of enrollment is required.
• Educator must be at least 20 years of age.
• Criminal History Record Check: approval date must be within 5 months of the application date with “Substitute Teacher” as the job position.

With this certificate, teachers in New Jersey can assume the role of a substitute teacher in any school district within the state and many substitute teaching positions can be found on NJSchoolJobs.com. A teacher who has obtained their NJ State Substitute Certificate will benefit from having access to all teaching opportunities available throughout the state, as well as gaining valuable experience in different types of educational settings. Furthermore, becoming certified as a substitute teacher can help individuals gain important skills that could be used to pursue future career paths inside and outside of education.

Being able to fill in for teachers on short notice is an important job, and the state of New Jersey recognizes the value that certified substitute teachers can provide. The process for obtaining a NJ State Substitute Certificate is intended to make sure that individuals who become certified have the necessary credentials to be successful in their role. With this certificate, you can join a valuable network of substitute teachers across the state and start making a difference in your local schools.

For further information about becoming a substitute teacher in New Jersey, please consult with the NJ Department of Education or your local County Office of Education.