NJ Civil Service Navigator

EXAMINER 1 CREDENTIALS

Code: 70131 State Competitive Range: P19 (FY2026)

Career Family: EXAMINER

Salary: $58,817.71 - $85,742.03/year FY2026 schedule (last updated 2026-05-08)

New Jersey treats Examiner 1 Credentials as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.

This is where the Examiner ladder starts, one grade under Examiner 2 Credentials, whose band tops out about $12,761 higher. The spec names a bachelor's degree, but it leaves the door open to substitute experience for the degree. The FY2026 range lands between $58,818 and $85,742, and state payroll currently lists 4 people in the title, most of them at Education.

How to get hired

  1. Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Examiner 1 Credentials on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
  2. Apply during that window and sit the examination. Depending on the title, that can be a written test, a rating of your training and experience, or a mix of the two.
  3. Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
  4. When an agency has a vacancy it must appoint from the top of that list under the "Rule of Three." Many competitive jobs are first filled provisionally while the list is being built.

Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.

Pay ladder: Examiner series

  1. Examiner 1 Credentials — $58,818 – $85,742 (this title)
  2. Examiner 2 Credentials — $67,312 – $98,503
  3. Examiner 3 Credentials — $77,144 – $113,264
  4. Examiner 4 Credentials — $88,530 – $130,339

Promoting to Examiner 2 Credentials raises the top of the band by about $12,761. Its top salary lands around the 27th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.

Rungs are ordered by FY2026 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.

Who employs this title

State payroll records show 4 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $62,856. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Education (4)

Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.

Definition

Under close supervision of an Examiner 3 Credentials or other higher level supervisory official in the Department of Education or Cannabis Regulatory Commission, performs routine work and assists with difficult work involved in reviewing and evaluating credentials of applicants; and reviews, evaluates and interprets requirements necessary for the various specialized professional occupations to include, but not limited to, medical examiners, doctors, attorneys, teachers, instructors, professional occupations, trades, cannabis regulators, regulated service occupations, accountants, nurses, and dentists; provides information on certification/licensure matters; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

Reviews, interprets, and evaluates applicant transcripts and/or other credentials for certificate/license qualification. Assists in corresponding with County Superintendents of Schools and providing applicant record evaluation results in their respective jurisdictions. Provides non-qualifying applicants information on additional studies, courses, and/or areas of study needed to meet certification/license requirements. Replies to requests for certification/license information. Assists applicants and other parties with obtaining an evaluation or appeal to reopen one for further consideration and study. Contacts institutions for clarification of college course descriptions and/or related occupational programs. Requests evidence of applicant's professional experience when insufficient for evaluating eligibility or where matters of interpretation are in question.,. Recommends issuance of certificates/licenses. Assists in preparation of correspondence on certification/license requirements and related matters. Compiles information for and assists in preparing statistical and other reports of the certification/licensure program. Assists in maintaining records and files. WHEN ASSIGNED TO CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT CENTERS, PERFORMS ALL OF THE ABOVE AND THE FOLLOWING TASKS: Assists with examining credentials for issuance of Provisional Badging Cards and Alternative Treatment Center (ATC) Identification Cards used for new ATC employees. Assists with issuance of Badging and Identification Cards for onboarding new ATC employees. Assists with development and provision of instructional and educational services for new employee understanding of Badging and Identification Card use. Prepares regular correspondence and reports on certification activities. Maintains records, reports, and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

License

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of methods used to gather and analyze information. Knowledge of methods used to review and evaluate documents including transcripts, course descriptions, and related educational/vocational/occupational materials. Knowledge of interviewing techniques. Ability to comprehend, analyze, interpret, and apply basic rules, laws, and regulations in accordance with established procedure and policy. Ability to review and analyze documents. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the unit. Ability to interpret college catalogs, programs, course descriptions, and related occupational documents in relation to certification/license requirements. Ability to evaluate transcripts and academic records. Ability to interpret evaluation findings of credentials and requirements for applicants and other concerned personnel. Ability to review, analyze, and evaluate factual materials and to make tentative determinations of conformance with established regulations. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports of certification/licensure matters. Ability to maintain essential records and files. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Five (5) years of professional experience in the review, analysis, verification, and evaluation of educational and/or related occupational credentials or applicant records. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions. SC3520N/AP19- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 1/25/2025