How to Become a Special Education Teacher in New Jersey 

Teaching children with disabilities can be a deeply rewarding career. Special education teachers work closely with students and their families to create meaningful learning experiences and lasting impact.  

In New Jersey — the No. 1 state in the nation for education, according to a ranking from U.S. News & World Report — aspiring special education teachers can get excited to join a cohort of some of the country’s best educators. This could lead to a lifetime of learning and growing in the field among highly qualified and dedicated peers.

There are multiple ways to earn your certification and become a special education teacher in New Jersey.  

Comprehensive Guide on How to Become a Teacher in New Jersey 

Special education teachers follow a few specific steps to earn their certification — for example, this could include taking Praxis exams that demonstrate readiness to work with students with diverse learning needs. Aside from the specific requirements for working with students with disabilities, though, special education teachers will follow the same steps to certification as general education teachers. 

These often include:  

• Earning a bachelor’s degree
• Completing an Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
• Passing certification exams
• Completing a background check 

For an overview of the steps and requirements, including different certification pathways, certificate types, and tips on passing your exams, download our How to Become a Teacher in New Jersey guide. This guide offers additional tips on how to transition into education and set yourself up for success in your new career.

What Do You Need to Be a Special Education Teacher in New Jersey?  

Like other educators in New Jersey, special education teachers need to have at least a bachelor’s degree. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, you are probably about 4 years from becoming a certified teacher as you earn your degree in education and complete your student teaching.

If you already have a bachelor’s, even if it’s in another field, you don’t have to start the process over. You could earn your certification through an alternative or graduate-level Educator Preparation Program (EPP). You’ll then need to pass your certification exams and clear a background check. 

For those who already hold a bachelor’s, the timeline from there depends on the EPP you choose. Some take a few years; others are much faster. For example, Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in as little as 9 months, 100% online.  

An important note: TEACH-NOW is an out-of-state EPP in New Jersey, so you would need to earn your teaching license in another state and use New Jersey’s reciprocity process to transfer the credential. Educators using this process may need to meet further requirements, such as passing additional exams and/or providing proof of prior teaching experience.  

For more details, visit the New Jersey Department of Education’s page about the reciprocity process. 

Steps to Becoming a Special Education Teacher in New Jersey

Reciprocity  

If you’ve already decided to become a special education teacher in New Jersey, congratulations! Next up: deciding how to earn your teaching certificate. New Jersey supports multiple pathways, including traditional and alternative routes as well as the reciprocity route for teachers who complete an out-of-state EPP.

Here’s an example of the reciprocity process for a teacher who completes an out-of-state EPP, earns a D.C. teaching license, and then transfers the credential to New Jersey.  

1. Earn your bachelor’s degree. Again, this degree does not have to be in education, so if you already have your degree, you can mark this step complete.
2. Complete an EPP. Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program can be completed in just 9 months.  
3. Pass the required certification exams for D.C. These will depend on the student populations you wish to teach. For example, if you want to serve students who are deaf or hard of hearing, you might take the Special Education: Hearing Impairments exam for grades preK-12. If you want to work with children who are bilingual, you might take the Bilingual special education test for grades PreK-12.
4. Submit your fingerprints for a background check and apply for your D.C. teacher credential.  
5. Use reciprocity to apply for your New Jersey certification. The state outlines the process on its website. 
6. Complete any additional requirements. This could include taking additional exams and/or providing proof of two years of teaching experience (within a three-year period).  

This is just one example of how to become a special education teacher in New Jersey. For more detailed information, visit the New Jersey Department of Education’s page on reciprocity.

In-State Certification Process  

If you choose an in-state EPP, you’ll follow a similar process to earn your certification:  

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree.
2. Complete an EPP. The New Jersey Department of Education has a list of in-state programs. 
3. Pass the required exams. For example, you might take the Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications exam. 
4. Complete a background check. 
5. Submit your New Jersey application through the state’s certification portal. 

Again, there are multiple ways to become a special education teacher in New Jersey, and this is just one example. For more information, visit the state’s DOE website. 

Why Reciprocity Might Make Sense for You  

Reciprocity could be the ideal path for you if:   

• You already have a teaching license in another state and are planning a move to New Jersey.
• You prefer an out-of-state EPP, like Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW program.    

 When choosing a pathway to earn your teaching certificate, consider your goals, timeline, and preferred learning format. Once you have an idea of your needs and preferences, you can start looking at your options. 

If you need guidance, check out The K-12 Teacher’s Guide to Finding Your Right-Fit EPP. You’ll learn 10 factors to help you evaluate teacher preparation programs and find the best one for you and your situation.  

Can You Become a Special Education Teacher in New Jersey Without a Teaching Degree?  

Yes, you can become a special education teacher in New Jersey — or a teacher of any subject or grade level — without a teaching degree. New Jersey encourages career changers of various backgrounds to join the teaching profession, especially those with a passion for teaching children with disabilities and creating lasting positive change in their communities.

If you are interested in learning more about the process, check out our New Jersey teacher certification page. You’ll find more tips there on how to make the move to teaching special education in New Jersey.

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