North Carolina Test Requirements

Find your licensure area below to determine which test you need to take and to 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).

Notes:

  • In general, test codes that begin with "5" are delivered in computer format; codes that begin with "0" are delivered on paper.
  • "CDT" refers to computer-delivered tests. "PDT" refers to paper-delivered tests.

Tests Required for All Licensure Areas

Beginning teachers in all content areas must pass all three Praxis I® Pre-Professional skills tests (in either format), or meet composite score requirements. 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).

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
K–12: All Areas Praxis I Reading 5710 0710 176
and
Praxis I Writing 5720 0720 173
and
Praxis I Mathematics 5730 0730 173
Composite Score 522
Note: Applicants may meet the testing requirement by submitting either individual qualifying scores or a composite score that is at or above the state qualifying score.

Tests Required for Specific Licensure Areas

Birth to Kindergarten

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Birth through Kindergarten No test required*
*Although no test is required for the Birth–Kindergarten (B–K) license, B–K teachers may be designated "highly qualified" to teach kindergarten by earning a score of 155 or higher on the Praxis test Early Childhood: Content Knowledge (0022/5022).

Elementary Education

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Elementary (K–6) Elementary Education: Instructional Practice and Applications 5015 n/a 161

Middle School Education

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Language Arts (Middle Grades) Middle School English Language Arts 5049 0049 145
Mathematics (Middle Grades) Middle School Mathematics (Calculator allowed.) n/a 0069 141
Science (Middle Grades) Middle School Science n/a 0439 134
Social Studies (Middle Grades) Middle School Social Studies 5089 0089 149

Secondary Education

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Anthropology (Secondary) Social Studies: Content Knowledge 5081 0081 158
and
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 0624 157
Biology (Secondary) Biology: Content Knowledge 5235 0235 150
and
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 0624 157
Chemistry (Secondary) Chemistry: Content Knowledge 5245 0245 152
and
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 0624 157
Earth Science (Secondary) Earth and Space Sciences: Content Knowledge 5571 0571 136
Economics (Secondary) Social Studies: Content Knowledge 5081 0081 158
and
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 0624 157
English (Secondary) English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge 5041 0041 164
and
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 0624 157
Geography (Secondary) Social Studies: Content Knowledge 5081 0081 158
and
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 0624 157
History (Secondary) Social Studies: Content Knowledge 5081 0081 158
and
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 0624 157
Mathematics (Secondary) Mathematics: Content Knowledge (Graphing calculator required.) 5061 0061 *
and
Mathematics: Pedagogy (Calculator allowed.) n/a 0065 *
*NC license for Mathematics requires a combined score of 281 from Mathematics: Content Knowledge (0061/5061) and Mathematics: Pedagogy (0065). There are no minimum scores.
Physics (Secondary) Physics: Content Knowledge 5265 0265 133
Political Science (Secondary) Social Studies: Content Knowledge 5081 0081 158
and
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 0624 157
Science (Comprehensive, Secondary) General Science: Content Knowledge 5435 0435 151
and
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 0624 157
Social Studies (Comprehensive, Secondary) Social Studies: Content Knowledge 5081 0081 158
and
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 0624 157
Sociology (Secondary) Social Studies: Content Knowledge 5081 0081 158
and
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 5624 0624 157

All Grades

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Art (K–12) Art: Content and Analysis n/a 0135 161
Health and Physical Education (K-12) Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge 5856 0856 149
Health Specialist (K–12) Health Education 5550 0550 640
Music (K–12) Music: Content and Instruction n/a 0114 162
Physical Education (K–12) Physical Education: Content Knowledge 5091 0091 152
Reading (Bachelor's Level, K–12) Teaching Reading 5204 0204 159
Reading (Graduate Level, K–12) Reading Specialist 5301 n/a 164
Speech Communication
(K–12)
Speech Communication: Content Knowledge n/a 0221 143

World Languages

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
English as a Second Language (K–12) English to Speakers of Other Languages n/a 0361 141
French
(Secondary, K–12)
French: World Language 5174 n/a 162
German (Secondary, K–12) German: World Language 5183 n/a 163
Latin (9–12) Latin n/a 0601 146
Spanish (Secondary, K–12) Spanish: World Language 5195 n/a 168

Special Education

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Exceptional Children Program Administrator Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision 5411* 0411 145
Special Education: Adapted Curriculum The following tests are required to qualify for the first license to teach students with severe to profound disabilities or to add the Adapted Curriculum area to a current non-restricted teaching license.
Special Education: Core Knowledge and Severe to Profound Applications 5545 0545 158
and
Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge  (Calculator allowed.) 5511 0511 148
Special Education: Behaviorally/ Emotionally Disabled The following tests may be used to add the Behaviorally/Emotionally Disabled area to a clear, current, non-restricted teaching license.
Special Education: Teaching Students with Behavioral Disorders/Emotional Disturbances n/a 0371 147
and
Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.) 5511 0511 148
Special Education: Cross Categorical The following tests may be used to add the Cross Categorical area to a clear, current, non-restricted teaching license.
Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications 5354 0354 151
and
Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.) 5511 0511 148
Special Education: General Curriculum The following tests are required to qualify for the first license to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities or to add the General Curriculum area to a current non-restricted teaching license.
Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications 5543 0543 158
and
Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.) 5511 0511 148
Special Education: Learning Disabled The following tests may be used to add the Learning Disabled area to a clear, current, non-restricted teaching license.
Special Education: Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities n/a 0383 151
and
Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.) 5511 0511 148
Special Education: Mentally Disabled The following tests may be used to add the Mentally Disabled area to a clear, current, non-restricted teaching license.
Special Education: Teaching Students with Mental Retardation n/a 0321 144
and
Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.) 5511 0511 148
Special Education: Severely Profoundly Mentally Disabled The following tests may be used to add the Severely Profoundly Mentally Disabled area to a clear, current, non-restricted teaching license.
Special Education: Teaching Students with Mental Retardation n/a 0321 144
and
Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.) 5511 0511 148
Special Education: Visually Impaired Special Education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments n/a 0282 163

*Available beginning December 2012.

Career & Technical Education

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Business Education (Career–Technical Education) Business Education: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.) 5101* 0101 154
Career–Technical Education Director Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision 5411* 0411 145
Family and Consumer Sciences (Career–Technical Education) Family and Consumer Sciences 5121* 0121 148
Marketing Education (Career–Technical Education) Marketing Education n/a 0561 169
Technology Education (Career–Technical Education) Technology Education n/a 0051 159

*Available beginning December 2012.

Special Service Personnel

To Be Licensed in You Need to Take CDT Code PDT Code Qualifying Score
Audiologist Audiology (through December 2012) n/a 0341 600
Audiology (beginning January 2013) n/a 0342 170
Counselor Professional School Counselor 54211 0421 156
Curriculum–Instructional Specialist Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision 54112 0411 145
Media Coordinator Library Media Specialist 53111 0311 148
Media Supervisor Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision 54112 0411 145
School Psychologist School Psychologist n/a 0401 159
Speech-Language Pathologist Speech-Language Pathology 53302 0330 600
Effective July 1, 2011, Speech-Language Pathologist testing requirements for North Carolina are determined by the NCBOESLPA.

1Available beginning February 2013.

2Available beginning December 2012.

 

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