Sponsored by:
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Assemblywoman CARMEN THERESA MORALES
District 34 (Essex)
Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Assemblyman MICHAEL VENEZIA
District 34 (Essex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Diegnan, O'Scanlon, Assemblyman Abdelaziz, Assemblywomen Carter, Bagolie, Assemblyman Freiman, Assemblywomen Donlon, Peterpaul, Assemblyman Bailey, Assemblywomen Haider and Matsikoudis
SYNOPSIS
Limits certain requirements for certification of career and technical education teachers.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As amended by the Senate on December 18, 2025.
An Act concerning teacher certification and amending P.L.2021, c.420.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2021, c.420 (C.18A:26-34) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. (1) Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, the State Board of Education shall not require a candidate for or the holder of a certificate of eligibility in a career and technical education endorsement or a certificate of eligibility with advance standing in a career and technical education endorsement to complete a Commissioner-approved test of basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills in order to obtain a standard certificate, including, but not limited to, the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators test, if the candidate can demonstrate proficiency in the use of English language and mathematics through an alternate measure.
(2) Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, the State Board of Education shall not require a candidate for a certificate of eligibility in a career and technical education endorsement to complete an educator preparation program which exceeds 200-hours of instruction or one academic year.
b. As used in this section:
"Alternate measure" means any demonstration of basic skills proficiency, other than a test, that is approved by the Department of Education, including, but not limited to: a portfolio of work products as approved by the superintendent of a candidate's employing school district; obtainment of an occupational license or certification; or an industry certificate or registration.
"Certificate of eligibility" means a certificate with lifetime validity issued by the State Board of Examiners to candidates who meet degree, academic, and applicable test requirements for teacher certification.
"Certificate of eligibility with advanced standing" means a certificate with lifetime validity issued by the State Board of Examiners to candidates who meet degree, academic, and test requirements for teacher certification and complete an educator preparation program.
(cf: P.L.2021, c.420, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect 1[immediately] on the first day of the seventh month next following the date of enactment1.