The Teacher Certification Reform Act of 2025 aims to streamline and enhance the teacher certification process in New Jersey to address the ongoing teacher shortage, particularly in high-need areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education. The bill introduces several new endorsements to the instructional certificate, including a Students with Disabilities Preschool through Grade 12 endorsement, a revised Elementary School endorsement, a Bilingual and Bicultural Preschool through Grade 12 endorsement, and a General Science endorsement. It also allows current holders of similar endorsements to transition to the new endorsements upon application to the State Board of Examiners. Additionally, the bill renames existing endorsements related to auditory impairments and modifies testing requirements for candidates seeking an Elementary School endorsement by allowing them to achieve a minimum average composite score rather than a minimum score on each individual subtest.

The legislation emphasizes the need for a more accessible and equitable certification process, particularly for candidates from lower-income and underrepresented backgrounds, to foster diversity within the teaching workforce. By eliminating certain barriers and revising the certification requirements, the bill seeks to attract and retain qualified educators in New Jersey, ultimately enhancing the quality of education for students across the state. The act is set to take effect four months after its enactment.