District of Columbia: Praxis Test Requirements
The District of Columbia requires a social security number (SSN) in order to process teacher licensure paperwork. ETS does not require your SSN for its own purposes, but failure to provide your SSN will delay processing of your licensure application.
All license seekers must submit original examinee score report(s) attached to their DC license application packet at the time licensure is being sought. The process to send individual test results electronically or through regular mail to this jurisdiction has not been finalized at this time. Failure to submit your score results as part of your license application packet may cause your license eligibility status to be denied.
- Test Requirements for Teacher Licensure
- Who Must Take the Examinations
- Where to Get Additional Information
- Test Requirements
- Highly Qualified Status
Test Requirements for Teacher Licensure
On December 21, 1988, the State Board of Education mandated that all persons seeking a license in the District of Columbia must satisfy the conditions of the applicable educational license as well as all testing requirements. The State Board of Education wants assurance that every prospective teacher has competence in mathematics, reading, and writing. Additionally, the Board expects that each teacher has mastered the content in his or her specific teaching discipline.
As of October 1, 1993, all teachers and other professionals who apply for licensure must take the appropriate examinations from The Praxis SeriesTM.
The first digit of the Session/Test Code indicates the session during which the test is offered in the 2009-10 testing year. There are no session numbers for the CBT tests, which are given by appointment. For more information about CBT testing, visit Praxis I Overview.
Predetermined scores must be achieved on the PPST® (Pre-Professional Skills Tests) in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics prior to standard or provisional licensure in the District of Columbia. Composite scores are not accepted for the Praxis I.
Further, the Board of Education requires teachers in certain content areas to successfully complete the appropriate Praxis II: Subject Assessment or Specialty Area test(s) before receiving standard licensure and for provisional licensure the content knowledge exam only. Composite scores are not accepted for the Praxis II.
Who Must Take the Examinations
All candidates seeking initial licensure must present passing scores for the PPST at time of application. These tests are available in paper-based or computer-based formats. The computer-based tests are offered by appointment through a national network of Prometric™ Testing Centers (many Prometric Testing Centers are located inside Sylvan Learning Centers) and selected colleges and universities. Visit Computer-based Test Centers for the locations near you.
In addition, any candidate seeking standard licensure in any of 12 subject areas must pass the Praxis II: Subject Assessment test(s) in that content specialty at the time of application. Furthermore, any licensed teacher seeking licensure in an additional subject must pass the corresponding Subject Assessment test at the time of application.
Individuals who meet eligibility requirements for the issuance of a non-renewable provisional license, must present passing scores for all applicable Praxis II subject assessments prior to the issuance of a full five-year renewable license. During the validity period of the provisional licensure, all license holders shall take the required exam(s) each time it is administered until a passing score is achieved.
Out-of-state individuals who have completed an approved teacher licensure program at an accredited university/college and have at least three (3) years of full-time teaching experience completed within the last seven (7) years under a full license and who holds the 'highest' license issued by that state at the time of application to the District of Columbia, may be eligible for the test exemption waiver. Out-of-state individuals who DO NOT hold the highest license combined with three years of teaching experience within the last seven years shall pass all applicable tests required by the District of Columbia.
Where to Get Additional Information
To obtain information about approved teacher education programs or certification for individuals already certified in another state, please contact:
Office of the State Superintendent of EducationEducator Licensing and Quality 51 N St., NE Third Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Telephone 202-741-5881
www.osse.dc.gov
Test Requirements
Highly Qualified Status
| Licensure Area |
Session/ Test Code |
Test Name |
Qualifying Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education (PK-3) | 10014 | Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (calculator allowed) |
145 |
Exam 10014 is not a requirement to receive a license in Early Childhood but rather it is required for individuals to be considered highly qualified per NCLB criteria if they are assigned to teach grades 1-3 under this license since the license covers prek-3.
This page is a supplement to The Praxis Series 2009-10 Information Bulletin (PDF).
