§ 18A:27-4a — Definitions relative to employment of novice teachers; benefits of employment.

2. a. As used in this section: "Certificate of eligibility" means a certificate with lifetime validity issued by the State Board of Examiners to candidates who meet degree, academic, and applicable test requirements for teacher certification; "Certificate of eligibility with advanced standing" means a certificate with lifetime validity issued by the State Board of Examiners to candidates who meet degree, academic and test requirements for teacher certification and complete a State-approved college professional education preparation program; "Novice teacher" means any teacher working under a valid certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, or provisional certificate who has not yet been issued a standard instructional certificate; "Provisional certificate" means a certificate issued by the State Board of Examiners to candidates who hold either a certificate of eligibility or a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing and are employed as part of a State-approved district training program or residency leading to standard certification. b. A novice teacher employed by a board of education under a valid certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, or a provisional certificate shall be deemed to be a teaching staff member for all purposes and shall be entitled to all benefits and other emoluments of employment provided by law and regulation to teaching staff members. A novice teacher shall also receive the terms and conditions of employment provided to teaching staff members in the employing district under the collective bargaining agreement including, but not limited to, salary, sick leave, and health insurance benefits. L.2005,c.144,s.2.