Pennsylvania Test Requirements

For Initial Certification: Educators applying for Instructional areas that cover N–3 or K–6 are required to pass a basic skills test, the Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge test and the appropriate Praxis II test(s) prior to August 31, 2013.

For Adding an N–3 or K–6 area to an existing PA Instructional certificate area: Educators applying to add on an Instructional N–3 or K–6 area to an existing PA Instructional certificate area are required to have passed the Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (0511/5511) test within the past 10 years.

Middle Level (Grades 4–8) Educators applying for an initial Instructional 4–8 area are required to pass a basic skills assessment (PAPA), in addition to passing the appropriate Praxis II test(s). Please note that you must take and pass the Core Assessment (which contains three modules) AND the Subject Concentration test(s) for the subject(s) you are preparing to teach: English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies. The tests may be scheduled in any order. The first time you register for the Core Assessment (which contains three modules) all three modules must be taken on the same day. If you fail to reach the qualifying score on one or more of the Core Assessment modules, you are permitted to schedule a retest on just the module that was not previously passed.

Educators applying for an initial Instructional 7–9 area are required to pass a basic skills test and the appropriate Praxis II test prior to August 31, 2013.

Educators who are currently undergraduates applying for an initial Instructional 7–12 area are required to pass a basic skills test, in addition to passing the appropriate Praxis II test(s).

Educators applying for an initial Instructional K–12 area are required to pass a basic skills test, the Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge test and the appropriate Praxis II test(s).

Educators applying for an initial certificate in the areas of

• Elementary Counselor, Secondary Counselor and School Psychologist: Must pass a basic skills test in addition to the appropriate Praxis II test(s).
• Home and School Visitor and Instructional Technology Specialist: Must pass a basic skills test. Educational Specialist candidates with a baccalaureate degree who hold current and valid Pennsylvania license as a registered nurse, dental hygienist, psychologist, counselor or social worker and can provide a copy of this Pennsylvania license as part of their application for the related Pennsylvania Educational Specialist certification are not required to take any tests to receive the related certificate.

Note: A current and valid Pennsylvania license is required to obtain a school nurse and dental hygienist certification.

Educators who are currently undergraduates applying for an initial Vocational Instructional I or Vocational Instructional II certificate must pass the Praxis I tests.

Vocational Instructional I — Praxis I Method 1

Vocational Instructional I — Praxis I Method 2 — Composite

Vocational Instructional II — Praxis I Method 1

Vocational Instructional I — Praxis I Method 2 — Composite

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).