Overview of Hawaii Testing Requirements

How to Qualify for Licensure

In order to qualify for educator certification in Hawaii, applicants must:

• Complete a State Approved Teacher Education Program (SATEP).
• Pass basic skills and content knowledge tests in the SATEP field.
• Meet the professional fitness requirements.
• Pay license fees.

The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board issues three types of licenses with different requirements for licensure:

1.  A non-renewable Provisional License may be granted for no more than three years to an applicant who meets the Provisional License requirements. Read the Provisional License minimum requirements to see how to qualify.

2.  A renewable Standard License may be granted for five years to an applicant who meets the Standard License requirements. Read the Standard License minimum requirements to see how to qualify.

3.  A renewable Advanced License may be granted for ten years to an applicant who meets the Advanced License requirements. Read the Advanced License minimum requirements to see how to qualify.

Additional information on license types, methods for qualification, documents required and application procedures is found at the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board website.

Important Information

• ETS is offering several additional tests in a computer-delivered format that will be introduced throughout the testing year. Visit Test Centers and Dates to find testing centers near you. The computer-delivered versions cover the same content as the paper-delivered versions and are scored on the same scale; however, the computer-delivered tests have different test codes.

  • Art: Content Knowledge (5134) — February 2013
  • Biology: Content Knowledge (5235) — September 2012
  • Business Education: Content Knowledge (5101) — December 2012
  • Chemistry: Content Knowledge (5245) — September 2012
  • Family and Consumer Sciences (5121) — December 2012
  • General Science: Content Knowledge (5435) — September 2012
  • Library Media Specialist (5311) — February 2013
  • Music: Content Knowledge (5113) — February 2013
  • Physics: Content Knowledge (5265) — September 2012
  • Professional School Counselor (5421) — February 2013
  • Reading Specialist (5301)* — September 2012

  * This test is not available in a paper-delivered format except as required for ADA accommodations.

• The Hawaii Teacher Standards Board requires a Social Security number (SSN) in order to process educator certification paperwork. ETS does not require your SSN for its own purposes but will submit it to the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board with your test results. Failure to provide your SSN could delay processing of your certification application.

Who Must Take the Tests?

All candidates for licensure in Hawaii are required to take competency tests administered under The Praxis Series™.

Prior to entering a teacher education program at your college or university, you may be required to take the Praxis I® Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST®) to demonstrate your qualifications in Reading, Writing and Mathematics.

In Hawaii, you must also take an appropriate Praxis II® test for a selected content area. If an applicant completes a dual (Elementary and Special Education) program, that applicant would have to take a Praxis II test in both of the content areas. If an out-of-state applicant holds a license in more than one area, only one content test is required.

Note: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certified educators may be exempt from all Praxis assessments pending approval of administrative rules. Visit the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board for updates.

Out-of-State Applicants

Applicants who completed a SATEP in a state other than Hawaii can opt to pass the subject area examinations that are required for licensure in that state if they hold a current, valid license in that state.

See also:

• About the Praxis™ Tests
• The Praxis Series™ Information Bulletin
• Prepare for a Test
• Register for a Test
• Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities