Applying for Your Certificate of Eligibility

New procedure Effective May 1, 2009:

As of May 1, 2009 DOE is requiring applicants to apply for CE’s online only. As such we are asking that all Pathways applicants apply and pay online and then submit the required paperwork through our office in batches during the following dates, for processing during these months:

• first two weeks in February
• first two weeks in April
• first two weeks in July
• first two weeks in November

Here is the new procedure:

1. Pathways applicants apply and pay online at http://www.nj.gov/education/educators/license/tcis/ If paid by credit card then a tracking number will be assigned to the application. If the student wants to submit a money order or certified check, the student may submit the certified check/MO along with all supporting documents below.
2. Applicants then submit paperwork to Pathways liaisons to be sent to DOE during dates as above. Complete paperwork for submission will consist of the following from each Pathways applicant:
   • Copy of your online application receipt with the tracking number
   • Oath of Allegiance (to be downloaded when applying online)
   • Official transcript(s) – see our mailing address below
   • Copy of praxis test score results – just include a hard copy
   • Pathways checklist - available in Stage I registration packet

Important:
Any applicant who submits their paperwork as in (2) above, directly to the NJDOE will not be expedited through the Pathways program. Applicants must submit all of their paperwork through the Pathways program for qualifying in the “Expedite” process. No exceptions.

Continuing Education, Sussex County Community College One College Hill Road, Newton, NJ 07860 Attention: Dean Anbarasan

Before submitting please make sure that you make a copy of your CE application packet for your own records. For any clarification about CE, you may contact Sussex County Department of Education at 973-579-6996 ext. 2. Following is a general timeline when you submit your CE application supporting documents to us:

1. Documents are verified, grouped and sent to our NJCU during the above time periods.
2. NJCU receives the documents from all community colleges participating in the NPTNJ program. They forward these documents DOE. This may take until the respective month end.
3. Please allow 6 weeks after your submission to us to inquire about your status regarding your application.
4. Once you have the tracking number for your application, if required complete your Hygiene test. You can call 973-579-6996 ext. 2 to schedule appointment and include your CE tracking number on the test. The result will be faxed to DOE directly. We do not need this result.
5. DOE will make a decision within 6 weeks of their receipt of complete document sets from NJCU. This is the fastest way of getting your CE.
6. If there are issues, you will be notified by DOE directly and we are able to get further clarifications through NJCU.
7. Any response from you can be then sent directly to DOE or can be forwarded through NJCU.
8. Please note that DOE examiner decides if you meet all the requirements for issuing a CE. We have no influence in that decision. Our guidance to you in this regard should not be taken as a guarantee to receive your CE.
9. When you receive your CE, either fax it or drop off a copy for our files. We need it to send out course completion documents.

Praxis II Test:

A passing grade on the Praxis II test is required to obtain a CE. Take the Educational Testing Service (ETS – Visit or call 609- 921-9000) Praxis II test in the subject area you plan to teach. ETS will forward your Praxis score to you and to the Department of Education (DOE). Be sure to use the Praxis series code for the DOE Office of Licensing and Academic Credentials, code R7666, on the Praxis registration form. You must include your Social Security number on the application form to avoid delays by the DOE. General Requirements for Certificate of Eligibility (CE):

For more specific information on the Certificate of Eligibility and Licensing, please click here.

The NPTNJ program will check your application for completeness and forward the application along with your transcripts and money order to NJCU for routing it to the DOE. The DOE will review your application and evaluate your college transcripts.

• To qualify for a CE in Elementary Education: 60 credits in liberal arts or sciences are required. In general if you have the following liberal arts majors, you will qualify: African American Studies, Any Foreign Language, Anthropology, Art, Biology, Chemistry, Economic, Engineering, English, Geography, Geology, Government, History, Humanities, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Religion – General Studies, Sociology, Speech Arts (public speaking, oral interpretation, etc), Statistics, Theatre/Drama, Women’s studies, Journalism. The following non-liberal arts majors may not qualify unless you have additional sufficient liberal arts credits: Art Therapy, Business study, Computer Science, Counseling courses, Criminal Justice, Dance, Education courses, Engineering Technology, Health, Home Economics, Hotel/Motel Management, Industrial Arts, Law, Leisure Studies, Library Media Study, Music therapy, Nursing, Physical Administration, Reading, Recreation, Religion – Secular Studies, Speech Correction/Pathology, Technical Communication studies, Social Work.
• To qualify for a middle school CE: There are multiple requirements to qualify for this CE.
• You must have a CE in elementary education or be eligible as mentioned above.
• You must also have a passing Praxis II score in one of the following areas: math, science, social studies, English/language arts, or a world language (Spanish, French, etc.). Your transcript must show 15 credits in the subject you hope to teach. If you do not have 15 credits they can be obtained at a four year college or university. At this time no courses above the 200 level are required. There is a middle school Praxis II exam for all middle school specialization areas but world language. For any of the world languages you must take the subject area Praxis II test and follow the additional world language regulations (such as Oral Proficiency). If you hope to teach a subject in middle school that is not one of the five subjects mentioned above (such as Home Economics) you will need a subject area CE explained below for K-12.
• Your transcript will also have to reflect a course that includes study of the characteristics of young adolescents. The course may be a psychology course or an education course that includes this content.

In summary: To teach middle school you need a CE in Elementary Education and a CE in Elementary Education with Specialization OR a single CE in a subject area. A subject area CE qualifies you to teach the subject K-12 but instead of 15 credits, 30 credits are required (a college major). For example, a subject area CE in math requires 30 credits. An elementary education with specialization in math CE requires 15 credits for middle school (6-8). A subject area CE is the most versatile and gives you the most options in getting a job. See below for specifics.

To qualify for a CE in a Subject Area CE (often referred as a secondary school K-12 CE) such as math, history, english, etc., 30 credits in the subject field are required. Though a subject area CE is often referred to as a high school or secondary CE, a subject area CE qualifies you to teach that subject K-12. The credits must be in a coherent sequence, 100-400 level, with a minimum of 12 credits at the 300-400 level and at least one at the 400 level. A subject area CE is the most versatile CE and gives you the most options in getting a job.

ETS automatically forwards your Praxis exam results to the DOE. With the CE you are now eligible to apply for a teaching job in the NJ public school system. As stated above, a CE is required for completing the NPTNJ alternate route program. We are not qualified to review your transcript or advise as to what you are qualified to teach or what credits might be missing. The DOE Office of Licensing and Academic Credentials is the only department that can do this. Only the endorsements (subject areas) you list in 5.A. on the CE application will be considered for transcript review and approval. Please note that Certificates of Eligibility are issued at the discretion of the Department of Education. The NPTNJ program or SCCC has no control over this process and does not guarantee the issuance of a CE.

OPI (Oral Proficiency) Tests: Any world language CE requires that you submit the results from this test conducted through Language Testing Service at 914-963-7110.