EXAMINER 4 CREDENTIALS
Career Family: EXAMINER
To land Examiner 4 Credentials in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.
It is the top of the Examiner ladder, a grade above Examiner 3 Credentials. A bachelor's degree is the listed credential, and extra years on the job can be traded for it. The FY2026 range lands between $88,530 and $130,339.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
Pay ladder: Examiner series
- Examiner 1 Credentials — $58,818 – $85,742
- Examiner 2 Credentials — $67,312 – $98,503
- Examiner 3 Credentials — $77,144 – $113,264
- Examiner 4 Credentials — $88,530 – $130,339 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 72nd 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.
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 direction of a managerial official in the Department of Education, supervises staff and activities 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 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
Supervises the work of the examination of credentials for Certification/licensure in all areas of various professional occupations and trades. Approves issuance of certificates/licenses to qualified applicants. Supervises and trains examiners in all areas of Certification/licensure, including instructional and educational services. Assigns examiners and other professional staff to specific work tasks and provides guidance and technical assistance. Interprets and explains certification/licensure requirements. Consults with and is resource person for directors and consultants in handling problem cases and evaluations for all certifications/licenses for various professional occupations and trades. Participates in the processing of appeals cases. Consults with colleges in New Jersey and other states concerning college programs and certification/license problems. Attends meetings; prepares and assists in the preparation of agendas, summaries of proceedings, reports and correspondence. Reviews and assists in the review of college and/or related occupational programs presented for approval. Contributes to the continuing review and revision of regulations relevant to certification/licensure. Works 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 has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees. Consults with professional staff in other state agencies concerning certification/licensure matters. Coordinates and supervises the work of support staff participating in the evaluation process in the central and county offices. Prepares correspondence. Provides guidance and technical assistance in the preparation of reports of certification activities. Supervises 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. Knowledge of supervisory techniques. Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize and implement projects within the unit. Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret basic laws and regulations and apply these to specific situations. Ability to review and analyze documents. Ability to work with 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 supervise the work performance of examiners and support staff. Ability to prepare detailed correspondence containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to supervise 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. Eight (8) years of professional experience in the review, analysis, verification, interpretation, and evaluation of educational and/or related occupational credentials and applicant records, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity. "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.