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Requirements  /  New Jersey

New Jersey Teacher PD Requirements (2026)

20 hours every 1 years for teachers

Source

Primary source: New Jersey Department of Education Professional Development. Regulation: N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-3.4. NJ is one of only a few states (with AR, MO) on an annual rather than cyclical PD requirement. Notable peculiarity: NJ certificates themselves never expire — PD is the only ongoing requirement, and only while actively employed.

Teachers

Annual hours
20
Cycle hours
20
Cycle years
1

New Jersey — ANNUAL framework (not cycle-based). Per N.J.A.C. 6A:9C-3.4 (effective July 1, 2013), each teacher must earn a minimum of 20 hours of professional development per year, guided by an Individual Professional Development Plan (PDP). The PDP must be updated annually by October 31. 20 hours is the minimum — additional sub-requirements may apply (Suicide Prevention, Bullying, Social-Emotional Learning, etc.). The PD must support student achievement (academic, physical, social, emotional). Replaces the prior 5-year/100-hour cycle (eliminated 2013). Reduced pro-rata for part-time / leave. Note: NJ teaching certificates themselves DO NOT EXPIRE — once issued, valid for life — but the annual PD requirement applies as long as the teacher is actively employed.

Counselors

Annual hours
20
Cycle hours
20
Cycle years
1

School counselors hold an NJ Educational Services certificate and are subject to the same 20-hr/year PD requirement under N.J.A.C. 6A:9C. Certificate does not expire.

Administrators

Annual hours
—
Cycle hours
20
Cycle years
1

Administrators (principal/supervisor/school administrator certs) are subject to the same 20-hr/year PD requirement under N.J.A.C. 6A:9C. Certificate does not expire.

Other Northeast states

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Information current as of May 25, 2026. Verify with your state Department of Education for official licensure decisions.