Overview of Pennsylvania Testing Requirements

How to Qualify for Certification

For initial certification in Pennsylvania, all candidates must:

• Earn a Baccalaureate degree (except for vocational instructional areas)
• Complete an approved program of teacher education
• Pass The Praxis Series™ tests for their certification area
• Submit the appropriate certification form and fees

For certification outside Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education website.

Learn about:

• Approved Certification Programs
• Education Leadership Programs (Administrative, Supervisory, Superintendent, etc.)

Important Information

• If you test in Pennsylvania, your score report will be sent automatically to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. If you test outside of Pennsylvania, select the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a score recipient when you register or on an additional score report request.
• Beginning with the September 2011 administration, ETS is administering a new version of the Teaching Speech to Students with Language Impairments test. The test name will change to Special Education: Teaching Speech to Students with Language Impairments and will have a new test code: 0881. 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 that will be introduced throughout the testing year. These computer-delivered assessments are given by appointment through a national network of Prometric™ Testing Centers. Visit Test Centers and Dates to find testing centers near you.

  For tests available in both formats (paper and computer), 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.

  Test available beginning January 2012:

  • School Leaders Licensure Assessment* (6011)

  *This test is not available in a paper-delivered format.

  Tests available beginning May 2012:

  • Citizenship Education: Content Knowledge (5087)
  • English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge (5041)
  • Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (5511)
  • Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge (5856)
  • Social Studies: Content Knowledge (5081)

  Tests available beginning June 2012:

  • Health Education (5550)
  • Mathematics: Content Knowledge (5061)

  Who Must Take the Tests?

  All teacher candidates or those wishing to become certified in Pennsylvania must take The Praxis Series™ tests.

  If you are applying for an initial certificate (Instructional I and Educational Specialist I), you are required to take the Praxis I® Pre-Professional Skills Tests.

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

  Also, you must meet the qualifying score for all applicable tests at the time your application for certification is received by the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality.

  Note: Test scores are valid for certification in Pennsylvania for 10 years after the test date for candidates educated in the Commonwealth. Qualifying scores are subject to change. For candidates educated outside the Commonwealth, view interstate certification agreements.

  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