NJ Civil Service Navigator

EXAMINER 3 CREDENTIALS

Code: 70134 State Competitive Range: R25 (FY2026)

Career Family: EXAMINER

Salary: $77,143.55 - $113,263.8/year FY2026 schedule (last updated 2026-05-08)

Examiner 3 Credentials is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.

On the Examiner ladder it falls between Examiner 2 Credentials and Examiner 4 Credentials. You can qualify with a bachelor's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $77,144 to $113,264, and state payroll currently lists 3 people in the title, most of them at Education.

How to get hired

  1. Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Examiner 3 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
  2. Examiner 2 Credentials — $67,312 – $98,503
  3. Examiner 3 Credentials — $77,144 – $113,264 (this title)
  4. Examiner 4 Credentials — $88,530 – $130,339

Promoting to Examiner 4 Credentials raises the top of the band by about $17,075. Its top salary lands around the 55th 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 3 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $106,040. The agencies employing the most are:

  • Education (3)

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 the general direction of an Examiner Credentials level 4 or other supervisory official the Department of Education, performs complex work involved in the examination of credentials for the issuance of certifications/licenses in various specialized professional occupations to include, but not be limited to, medical examiners, doctors, attorneys, teachers, instructors, professional occupations, trades, regulated service occupations, accountants, nurses, and dentists; supervises, trains, and provides consultation and guidance to lower-level credentials examiners; supervises staff and work activities. Prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

Responsible for reviewing the work of lower-level Examiners in the examination of credentials for certification/licensure in all areas of various professional occupations and trades; may approve issuance of certificates/licenses to qualified applicants. Interprets and explains certification/licensure requirements. May consult with and act as resource person for directors and consultants in handling problem cases and evaluations for all certifications/licenses for various professional occupations and trades. Supervises and trains examiners in all areas of certification/licensure, including instructional and educational services. May participate in the processing of appeals cases. May consult with colleges in New Jersey and other states concerning college programs and certification/license problems. Attends meetings and assists in preparation of agenda, summaries, of proceedings, reports, and correspondence. Provides assistance in the review of college and/or related occupational programs presented for approval. Assists in a continuing review and revision of regulations relevant to certification/licensure. May work with county and city superintendents and Garden State School District in the certification/licensure of school personnel and in developing suggestions for possible changes to the regulations relevant to certification/licensure. Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and/or staff; and have responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. May consult with professional staff in other state agencies concerning certification/licensure matters. Assists with coordinating the work of support staff participating in the evaluation process in the central and county offices. Prepares correspondence. Provides technical assistance in the preparation of reports of certification activities. Oversees the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

License

Appointees 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 the methods used to gather and analyze information. Knowledge of interviewing techniques. Knowledge of the methods used to review and evaluate documents including transcripts, course descriptions, and related educational/vocational/occupational materials. Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret basic laws and regulations and apply these to specific situations. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to review and analyze documents. Ability to work with supervisors and consultants to address problem areas of certification/licensure. Ability to provide technical assistance to staff and external agencies. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of the unit. Ability to consult and communicate with certification/license officials in other states. Ability to perform all facets of certification/licensure involving applicants, county officers, college personnel in New Jersey and other states, certification/license officials in other states and other personnel of applicable state agencies. Ability to assign, instruct and oversee the work performance of examiners and support staff. Ability to prepare detailed correspondence containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to oversee the maintenance of the 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 may cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A 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. Seven (7) years of professional experience in the review, analysis, verification, interpretation, and evaluation of educational and/or related occupational credentials and applicant records. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and three (3) years 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.