District of Columbia Test Requirements

Find your licensure area below to determine which test you need to take and see the minimum qualifying score. To learn more about a specific test, click the test title. Once you know your test(s), find out how to register for Praxis™ tests and read the Praxis test retake policy.

Most tests are offered in both Session 1 and Session 2. Refer to the fees page for tests that are restricted to a particular session.

In general, unless it is specifically stated that a calculator is permitted or required for a particular test, calculators may not be used on any Praxis tests (see Calculator Use).

For additional information, refer to the completed testing flyer on the OSSE website.

Note: test codes that begin with "5" or "6" are delivered in computer format; codes that begin with "0" or "1" are delivered on paper. All tests are paper-delivered tests unless otherwise noted.

Tests Required for All Licensure Areas

Beginning teachers in all content areas must pass all three Praxis I® Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST®) in either format OR any of the options listed in the Praxis I Alternatives section below.

If you wish to take all three computer-delivered Praxis I exams (5710, 5720, 5730) at the same time, select Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test: Combined Test (5750) when registering. Scores will be reported by individual test (5710, 5720, 5730).

Praxis I — Qualifying Score Option

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
All Areas	Praxis I Reading (Computer)	5710	172
	or
	Praxis I Reading (Paper)	0710	172
	and
	Praxis I Writing (Computer)	5720	171
	or
	Praxis I Writing (Paper)	0720	171
	and
	Praxis I Mathematics (Computer)	5730	174
	or
	Praxis I Mathematics (Paper)	0730	174

Praxis I — Composite Score Option

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
All Areas	Praxis I Reading (Computer)	5710	Minimum Score 168
	or
	Praxis I Reading (Paper)	0710	Minimum Score 168
	and
	Praxis I Writing (Computer)	5720	Minimum Score 165
	or
	Praxis I Writing (Paper)	0720	Minimum Score 165
	and
	Praxis I Mathematics (Computer)	5730	Minimum Score 169
	or
	Praxis I Mathematics (Paper)	0730	Minimum Score 169
	Composite score of 517 Note: Applicants may meet the basic skills testing requirement by submitting either individual Praxis I qualifying scores or achieving a combined total score of 517 for all three PPST or CPPST tests and meeting the minimum scores indicated in the table.

Praxis I Alternatives

In place of the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST), the District of Columbia will accept the following options from candidates:

PPST Writing Test with a score of 171, or
GRE® Analytical Writing section with a score of 3.5, and

A combined Verbal and Math score for one of the alternative tests below

Alternative Test	Combined Score
ACT®	20
SAT®	960

Alternative Test	Combined Score
SAT (pre-2005)	850
GRE	870

Tests Required for Specific Licensure Areas

Early Childhood

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Early Childhood Education (PK–3)	Early Childhood: Content Knowledge (Computer)	5022	165
	or
	Early Childhood: Content Knowledge (Paper)	0022	165
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5621	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (Paper)	0621	157
	To meet highly qualified teacher requirements, Early Childhood teachers who are NEW to the profession and are teaching grades K–3 must pass the Early Childhood Content Knowledge exam (0022/5022) OR the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (0014/5014) exam to be deemed highly qualified (the Elementary exam is NOT a licensure requirement for EC teachers). Veteran K–3 teachers may pass either exam or meet HOUSSE requirements to be highly qualified.
	Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (Computer)(Calculators allowed.)	5014	145
	or
	Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (Paper) (Calculators allowed.)	0014	145

Elementary Education

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Elementary Education 1–6	Elementary Education: Instructional Practice and Applications (Computer)	5015	161
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5622	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Paper)	0622	160
	and
	Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (Computer) (Calculators allowed.)	5014	145
	or
	Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (Paper) (Calculators allowed.)	0014	145
Elementary Mathematics or Science Resource 1–6	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5622	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Paper)	0622	160

Middle School Education

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Middle School English/Language Arts (Grades 4–8)	Middle School English Language Arts (Computer)	5049	160
	or
	Middle School English Language Arts (Paper)	0049	160
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Paper)	0623	160
Middle School Mathematics (Grades 4–8)	Middle School Mathematics (Calculator allowed.)	0069	152
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Paper)	0623	160
Middle School Science (Grades 4–8)	Middle School Science	0439	150
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Paper)	0623	160
Middle School Social Studies (Grades 4–8)	Middle School Social Studies (Computer)	5089	155
	or
	Middle School Social Studies (Paper)	0089	155
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Paper)	0623	160

Secondary Education

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Biology	Biology: Content Knowledge	0235	150
	and
	Life Science: Pedagogy	0234	147
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157
Business Education	Business Education: Content Knowledge(Calculators allowed.)	0101	154
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157
Chemistry	Chemistry: Content Knowledge	0245	152
	and
	Physical Science: Pedagogy	0483	154
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157
English	English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge (Computer)	5041	160
	or
	English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge (Paper)	0041	160
	and
	English Language, Literature, and Composition: Pedagogy	0043	150
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157
General Science	General Science: Content Knowledge	0435	157
	and
	Physical Science: Pedagogy	0483	154
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157
Home Economics	Family and Consumer Sciences	0121	159
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157
Marketing Education	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157
Mathematics	Mathematics: Content Knowledge (Computer) (Graphing calculator required.) (available beginning June 2012)	5061	141
	or
	Mathematics: Content Knowledge (Paper) (Graphing calculator required.)	0061	141
	and
	Mathematics: Pedagogy(Calculators allowed.)	0065	135
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157
Physics	Physics: Content Knowledge	0265	143
	and
	Physical Science: Pedagogy	0483	154
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157
Social Studies	Social Studies: Content Knowledge (Computer)	5081	155
	or
	Social Studies: Content Knowledge (Paper)	0081	155
	and
	Social Studies: Pedagogy	0084	169
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157

All Grades

For K–12 Licensure Areas (except foreign language), applicants must successfully pass ONE of the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exams that most closely matches grades levels to be/being taught.

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Art K–12	Art: Content Knowledge	0134	158
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5621	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (Paper)	0621	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5622	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Paper)	0622	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Paper)	0623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157
Bilingual Education K–12; Computer Science K–12; Computer Educator Teacher K–12; Health & Physical Education K–12; Music K–12; Performing Arts – Dance, Music, or Visual Arts K–12	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5621	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (Paper)	0621	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5622	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Paper)	0622	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Paper)	0623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157
Performing Arts–Drama & Theatre K–12	Theatre	0640	600
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5621	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (Paper)	0621	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5622	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Paper)	0622	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Paper)	0623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157

World Languages

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
English as a Second Language	English to Speakers of Other Languages	0361	141
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5621	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (Paper)	0621	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5622	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Paper)	0622	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Paper)	0623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157
French	French: World Language	5174	162
	and
	World Languages Pedagogy	0841	158
German	German: World Language	5183	163
	and
	World Languages Pedagogy	0841	158
Latin	Latin	0600	610
	and
	World Languages Pedagogy	0841	158
Spanish	Spanish: World Language	5195	168
	and
	World Languages Pedagogy	0841	158
All Other Foreign Language Subject Areas	World Languages Pedagogy	0841	158

Special Education

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Non-Categorical Special Education: K–12; Bilingual Special Education K–12	Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (Computer)	5354	151
	or
	Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (Paper)	0354	151
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5621	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood (Paper)	0621	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5622	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6 (Paper)	0622	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9 (Paper)	0623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Computer) (available beginning July 2012)	5624	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (Paper)	0624	157

Administrator/School Leader

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Administrative Services Credential	School Leaders Licensure Assessment (Computer)(Must use SLS bulletin to register.)	6011	163

This page is a supplement to The Praxis Series™ Information Bulletin.