Find out about NJ math teacher certification requirements and whether a NJ math teacher certification is necessary for teaching legally in the state of New Jersey on this page.
View SchoolsComplete the NJ math teacher certification requirements set by the New Jersey Department of Education to become a math teacher.
The NJ DOE requires you to complete education requirements, state testing, and other requirements to legally teach in public schools.
Learn the requirements for a NJ math teacher certification below.
You must earn a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university before you apply for an NJ math teacher certification.
The NJ DOE does not specify what degree you must obtain, but it does require you to earn a certain number of credits in the field of mathematics.
You need 15 to 30 credit hours in mathematics courses depending on your endorsement option and you must earn an overall grade point average of 3.0 in your bachelor's degree program.
Several online colleges offer bachelor's degree programs in teaching and mathematics to prepare you for completing state testing requirements.
See example online colleges below:
Examples of math degree programs include a Bachelor of Education degree in mathematics education and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics for secondary education.
If you are seeking certification for the first time, complete the Praxis Core Academic Skills assessment or score in the top one-third percentile on a college admissions exam.
College admissions exams include the scholastic assessment test, the American college testing, or the graduate record examination.
You must also complete the Praxis II test requirement.
The test you must complete depends on your career goals and educational background. See the table of Praxis math tests below.
| Praxis Math Test | Career Goal | Required Education |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics subtest | Elementary school teacher K through 6 or teacher of supplemental instruction in reading and mathematics for grades K through 8 | 60 college credits in liberal arts studies, including math |
| Middle school mathematics | Elementary school with a mathematics specialization for grades 5 through 8 | 15 college credits in mathematics studies |
| Mathematics, content knowledge | Mathematics for teaching in any NJ public school | 30 college credits in mathematics studies |
Earn a score of 157 or higher to pass the mathematics subtest or middle school mathematics examination.
A score of 159 or higher allows you to pass the mathematics, content knowledge test.
The NJ DOE offers three options for completing the physiology and hygiene requirements.
This requirement can be satisfied with evidence of basic military training.
You can also satisfy this requirement by completing a course in biology, health, or nutrition through your degree program or completing an online test through an approved preparation program.
Current cost requirements include fees associated with your college program, the Praxis tests, and transcript requests.
There may be certification and credentialing fees depending on when you seek teacher certification.
You can reduce college tuition through financial aid options such as grants and scholarships.
Learn about other requirements for obtaining an NJ math teacher certification below.
Apply for your NJ math teacher certification through the NJ Educator Certification portal.
The portal allows you to review your application status and submit customer service questions.
You can also request test score records, check the status of your application, and renew your license through the NJEdCert portal.
If you decide to complete your bachelor's degree program from a regionally accredited university in another state, you will need to request reciprocity to legally teach in New Jersey.
State reciprocity is only available for an out-of-state certificate equivalent to a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing or a standard certificate.
Requirements for state reciprocity are different depending on your situation.
There are three options to complete state reciprocity requirements.
You can complete a CEAS program that includes clinical practice and pass an NJ subject matter test or demonstrate the passage of a subject matter test.
You can become licensed in the state where you earned your degree and demonstrate at least two years of teaching experience through the electronic Record of Professional Experience form.
You can also obtain a National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certificate in the equivalent subject area and grade level.
You need to satisfy NJ math teacher certification requirements to legally teach in NJ public schools.
Your certification shows employers that you have put forth the effort to become a successful math teacher.
If you want to legally operate and provide high-quality instruction as a math teacher in NJ, complete the NJ math teacher certification requirements set by the NJ Department of Education.