$5M Earmarked To Waive Fees For Aspiring NJ Teachers: Murphy

NEW JERSEY — Those wanting to be certified as educators in New Jersey won’t have to pay the usual costs, as the 2024 state budget included a one-year certification fee holiday amidst an ongoing teacher shortage.

The state set aside $5 million in the 2024 budget to fund fee holiday, which lasts from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 according to Gov. Phil Murphy’s office.

“During this time, aspiring educators will be exempt from paying the typical fees associated with educator certification services, including application fees, renewal fees, and other related costs,” Murphy’s office said.

The cost to apply for an initial Certification of Eligibility (CE) or Certification of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) in the state is $170. Click here to learn more about becoming a certified teacher through the New Jersey Department of Education.

The governor’s office said that this “groundbreaking program” will eliminate financial barriers and hopefully attract “a diverse pool of qualified, passionate and dedicated individuals to the teaching profession, ensuring that New Jersey students receive a high-quality education.”

Teacher and staff shortages have become a common issue in New Jersey, as school districts struggle to recover from pandemic-related staff losses and a dwindling number of new teachers entering the workforce.

“Our educators play an essential role in shaping the minds of future generations,” said Murphy. “This initiative represents one component of my Administration’s broader efforts to grow our educational workforce."

The lack of qualified teachers will persist if the education community and legislators do not act, said the New Jersey School Boards Association and New Jersey Policy Perspective in reports last year.

The state Senate has approved a bipartisan bill (S904) allowing schools including public districts, charters, and renaissance schools to hire teachers and other employees from out-of-state for a period of three years. This would allow teachers and other school employees from neighboring New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware to enter the workforce.

The bill has been making its way through the Senate since last January, and passed the Senate by a vote of 36-1 on June 20. It’s now headed to the state Assembly.