Clearances & Obtaining a Substitute Teacher Certificate

Complete the application below and email it to the Certification Office for record and tracking purposes.

Upon completing the online registration fee of $125.00, fees are waived for the period beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024.

applicants should include the individual case number on the substitute certificate application, and fill in the county (Mercer).

Please use your personal email account when completing this application. It will be used to identify yourself in your NJEDCERT account.

Students may email, mail, or drop off the application TCNJ at:

TCNJ Certification Office
Education Bldg. Rm 102,
Attention: Jennifer Pirone
2000 Pennington Rd.
Ewing, NJ 08628

Certification Office Email: certification@tcnj.edu

When you apply for a substitute certificate, it is valid at any public or charter school in New Jersey and eligible for five years from the date of issuance.

INFORMATION FOR SUBSTITUTE CERTIFICATES:

The State of New Jersey Department of Education has implemented a new substitute credential pathway.

Clearances Required:

Substitute Teacher Credential Pathway 1 (Per N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-7.3):

  1. Have 30 credits to apply for a Substitute Teacher Credential
  2. Complete a criminal history background clearance
  3. Select TCNJ (click here for directions/codes) as your sponsoring agency/school and register as a SUBSTITUTE TEACHER. TCNJ is your sponsoring agency. DO NOT enter a School District.
  4. Pay administrative fees on the NJDOE Criminal History Website ($11)
  5. Go to the IdentiGO website
    1. schedule an appointment
    2. pay fingerprinting fees ($67.45)
    3. fill out New Jersey Universal Fingerprint Form

    Substitute Teacher Credential as of June 30, 2023:

    1. A student may have a completion of 30 semester-hour credits
    2. Credits must be completed at an accredited institution of higher education at the time of application
    3. Applicant must be enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education at the time of application
    4. Applicant must be at least 18 years of age
    5. Credential is valid for five (5) years from the date of issuance

    ** If you have already been fingerprinted, but selected COLLEGE STUDENT or VOLUNTEER, you will have to fingerprint again as a SUBSTITUTE TEACHER**

    If you only want clearances, without the Substitute Certification, COMPLETE STEPS #2-7 above.

    The Substitute Certificate timeline for processing and issuance is 6-8 weeks by the New Jersey Department of Education. You may check the status of your application at: https://www.nj.gov/education/certification/

    Contact

    Certification Office
    Education Building, Room 106
    The College of New Jersey
    2000 Pennington Rd.
    Ewing, NJ 08628 609.771.2396
    609.637.5124 FAX
    certification@tcnj.edu
    Office Directory