IEP Timelines in New Jersey
What are the IEP timelines in New Jersey?
New Jersey has a comprehensive set of timelines governing every stage of the special education process. The critical timelines are codified primarily in N.J.A.C. 6A:14 and include: Identification Meeting within 20 calendar days of referral, excluding school holidays but not summer vacation (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.3); initial evaluation, eligibility determination, and IEP development/implementation within 90 calendar days of parental consent (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.4(e)); evaluation reports to parents at least 10 calendar days before the eligibility meeting (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.5(a)); IEP meeting within 30 calendar days of eligibility determination (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.7(a)); prior written notice at least 15 calendar days before implementation (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.3(h)); annual IEP review (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.7(i)); triennial reevaluation within 3 years (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.8); reevaluation completion within 60 calendar days of consent (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.8); IEE challenge by district within 20 calendar days (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.5(c)(1)); mediation conference within 15 calendar days of request, completed within 30 days (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.6(d)); due process resolution meeting within 15 days of filing (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.7(h)); hearing decision within 45 calendar days after resolution period (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.7(j)); state complaint decision within 60 calendar days (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-9.2(c)); and transfer student IEP within 30 days (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-4.1(g)).
What New Jersey Requires
NJ uses a 90-calendar-day comprehensive timeline from consent through IEP implementation — more expansive than the federal 60-day evaluation timeline (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.4(e)).
All timelines are in calendar days unless specifically noted as school days (e.g., disciplinary timelines).
The 90-day timeline does not apply if the parent repeatedly fails or refuses to produce the child for evaluation (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.4(e)(1)).
Dispute resolution timelines are specific: 15 days for mediation scheduling, 30 days for mediation completion, 15 days for resolution meetings, 45 days for hearing decisions (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.6, 2.7).
Transfer students must receive comparable services immediately and a new IEP within 30 days (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-4.1(g)).
Key Timelines
20 calendar days (excluding school holidays, but not summer vacation): Identification Meeting after referral (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.3).
90 calendar days: evaluation through IEP implementation from parental consent (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.4(e)).
10 calendar days: evaluation reports to parents before eligibility meeting (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.5(a)).
30 calendar days: IEP meeting after eligibility determination (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.7(a)).
15 calendar days: prior written notice before implementation (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.3(h)).
3 years: triennial reevaluation (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.8).
60 calendar days: reevaluation completion from consent (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.8).
20 calendar days: district must file due process to challenge IEE request (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.5(c)(1)).
15/30 calendar days: mediation scheduling/completion (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.6(d)).
15 calendar days: resolution meeting after due process filing (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.7(h)).
45 calendar days: hearing decision after resolution period (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-2.7(j)).
60 calendar days: state complaint decision (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-9.2(c)).
30 days: new IEP for transfer students (N.J.A.C. 6A:14-4.1(g)).
2 business days: written statement of discussion items before annual IEP meeting (P.L. 2025, c.107).