Elementary School Teacher / New Jersey
2026 data New Jersey board official source

New Jersey Elementary School Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Instructs students in grades K-6. Requires state teaching certificate.

What the New Jersey data shows for Elementary School Teachers

New Jersey sets the entry bar for elementary school teachers at board-approved training and a passing score on State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under New Jersey's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree in Education".

Upfront cost is $174, with renewal running $110 on a 5-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 150-hour continuing-education requirement per 5-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For elementary school teachers, the reciprocity picture is: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
49/100
Elementary School Teacher · New Jersey

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$174
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$22/yr
$110 every 5 years
Continuing Education F
30.0 hrs/yr
150 hours every 5 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in New Jersey

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree in Education
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$174
Renewal Fee
$110
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Elementary School Teacher All New Jersey licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with New Jersey licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Elementary School Teacher in New Jersey? ▼
New Jersey requires, passing an exam (State Teaching Certification Exam (Praxis or equivalent)), and an initial fee of $174. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as an Elementary School Teacher in New Jersey? ▼
To become a licensed elementary school teacher in New Jersey, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the New Jersey licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Elementary School Teacher license to New Jersey from another state? ▼
Elementary School Teacher licenses generally reciprocate as follows: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states. Interstate licensing compacts cover many professions and can further ease a move between states. The New Jersey licensing board can confirm the current rules for your credential.
Does New Jersey require a background check for Elementary School Teacher licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for elementary school teacher licensing in New Jersey. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Elementary School Teacher in New Jersey? ▼
New Jersey ties continued elementary school teacher licensure to 150 continuing-education hours, due every 5 years, alongside a $110 renewal fee.

Related Guides

What to do with this elementary school teacher license

Elementary School Teacher in New Jersey, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an elementary school teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how New Jersey's elementary school teacher requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Elementary School Teacher in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state elementary school teacher license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how New Jersey's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. New Jersey overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the New Jersey licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.