You will need to complete a few steps to become a substitute teacher in New Jersey. Simply follow each step and pay attention to the deadlines, and you'll be certified to start substitute teaching.
Some good news — Kelly Education partners with nearly 25 school districts in New Jersey to recruit and hire substitute teachers. If you want to work in one of our partner districts, our team will personally guide you through the steps so that the process runs smoothly.
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Minimum New Jersey substitute teacher requirements, at a glance*:
- Certification: NJ teaching license or substitute certification
- Education: 30 college credit hours
- Employment verification to work in the U.S.
- Fingerprinting
- TB test
In addition to New Jersey state requirements, Kelly Education requires:
- Background check
- Pre-hire training
- New hire orientation
A deeper dive into New Jersey's substitute teacher requirements.
Since there are several steps to become a substitute teacher in New Jersey, it can take some time to be cleared to begin work once you apply for a job. You'll need to stay on top of the process and follow up appropriately. Let’s take a closer look at the requirements, including the estimated costs and timeframes to complete each item.Certification.
New Jersey requires all substitute teachers to have a New Jersey Teaching License or Substitute Certification. You are eligible for a substitute teacher certification if you’ve completed at least 30 college credits. You don’t need a substitute credential to become a substitute teacher if you hold a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS), an administrative or educational services certificate, an instructional Certificate of Eligibility (CE), or a standard instructional certificate.Education verification.
To become a substitute teacher in New Jersey, candidates must have completed at least 30 college credit hours from a nationally accredited college or university. Candidates will need to provide verification of enrollment or transcripts as part of the pre-employment process. Some colleges or universities charge a fee for transcripts, generally $10 to $15. Once requested, the transcripts are typically received in 3 to 5 days. Remember that some school districts may require more steps beyond what New Jersey requires to become a substitute teacher, so be sure to check their job description.Employment verification.
Like most jobs, substitute teachers must provide proof that they can legally work in the U.S. To complete this step, you'll submit an I-9 form with valid identification credentials. This form can be completed in just a few minutes. If working with Kelly Education, we'll guide you through this process.
Background check and fingerprinting.
To become a substitute teacher in New Jersey, applicants are required to complete a criminal history report (fingerprinting). The approval date of the background check must be within five months of the substitute teacher application for license issuance. The total fee for the background screening is $77. Candidates who’ve been fingerprinted previously for New Jersey Public Schools, after March 2003, may be eligible to transfer or archive existing fingerprints. The cost for this would range from $6 - $30. Additionally, Kelly Education runs an internal background check, which includes the National Sex Offender Registry and 30-year criminal search. New Jersey also requires all substitute teachers to get a TB test. The test must be administered within the last six months of the application date. You can get this test at your physician’s office, urgent care clinic, or most pharmacies. Both blood and skin tests are acceptable options. You should receive your TB results immediately following the test. Applicants must provide the test results with their application.Training.
No statewide training is required to become a substitute teacher in New Jersey. However, it is Kelly Education policy that all prospective substitute teachers complete training to support their success on the job. At Kelly Education, we value preparation and want our substitute teachers to feel confident one day one in our schools. That's why we require candidates to complete a free online ClassSmarts training, a valuable resource that takes about 1.5 hours to complete. Additionally, our New Hire Orientation training is crucial to familiarize you with Kelly Education and district-specific procedures and policies.Getting started with Kelly Education and our school district partners.
Kelly Education works with school districts throughout New Jersey to provide quality substitute teachers. Our team is looking forward to helping you become a substitute teacher in New Jersey. You can get started by filling out our interest form . From there, a Kelly Education recruiter will reach out to answer any questions you may have and explain the next steps to becoming a substitute teacher in New Jersey. Are you ready to make a difference with flexible work that matters? Check out our substitute teacher jobs! * Information subject to change. This is a general guideline. School districts may have more requirements, in addition to state requirements.
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