Overview of Idaho Testing Requirements

How to Qualify for Certification

For initial certification in Idaho, all candidates must:

• Earn an appropriate bachelor's degree or advanced degree.
• Complete the minimum requirements in a state-approved educator preparation program or an Idaho state-approved alternative educator certification program.
• Complete a criminal history check pursuant to Idaho Code §33-130.
• Pass The Praxis Series™ tests for their certification areas, hold National Board for Professional Standards Teaching Certification or verify Highly Qualified status, as defined by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, in their certification area by other approved means (e.g., test, degree, High, Objective, Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE), etc.). National Board certification or a degree cannot be used to demonstrate highly qualified status in the area of elementary education.

For more information, visit the Idaho State Department of Education online.

Important Information

• Idaho 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 Idaho with your test results. Failure to provide your SSN could delay processing of your certification application.
• Beginning with the 2012–13 testing year, ETS is administering a new version of the Theatre test. The new test covers the same content as the previous test. However, scores are reported on a different scale, so requirements will vary from previous versions. All scores for discontinued tests are reportable for 10 years from the date the test was taken. Consult the Test Requirements table for specific score requirements.

• ETS is offering several additional tests in a computer-delivered format which 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
  • Earth and Space Sciences: Content Knowledge (5571) — October 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
  • Reading Specialist (5301)* — September 2012
  • Speech-Language Pathology (5330) — December 2012
  • World and United States History: Content Knowledge (5941) — December 2012

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

Who Must Take the Tests?

Teacher candidates or those wishing to become certified must take The Praxis Series tests or verify Highly Qualified status by another approved means.

Prior to entering a teacher education program at your college or university, you may be required to take the Praxis I® tests to demonstrate your qualifications.

In Idaho, you must also take the appropriate Praxis II® tests for each area of certification you seek.

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