Pennsylvania Test Requirements

Special Alert: Please be advised that as of April 2, 2012 all 4–8 candidates must pass the Praxis II® PA Middle School core and content area tests for certification. As of August 31, 2013 the N–3, K–6, and N–12 Special Education tests and the Middle Level 7–9 tests will no longer be accepted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for certification because these certificates will no longer be issued. Students that are currently enrolled in a K–6 or a 7–9 program should take the current test requirements. Students that are currently in a Middle Level (4–8) program should take the new requirements.

As of April 2, 2012, the Praxis I® tests will only be required for Vocational Instructional I & II licenses. For all other licenses, the Praxis I test requirements will be replaced by an alternate basic skills test. The Pennsylvania Department of Education will accept scores for Praxis I tests if they are registered for prior to April 2, 2012, regardless of when the tests are taken. Candidates who are re-testing should continue to take the Praxis I test(s) they have not passed. Post baccalaureate candidates are no longer required to take the "basic skills" tests as a requirement for certification.

ALL CERTIFICATION AREAS REQUIRE THE APPROPRIATE CONTENT AREA TEST.

Educators applying for an initial undergraduate Instructional or Educational Specialist area license are required to pass a basic skills test and the appropriate Praxis II test for secondary, N–12, educational specialist, and educational leadership. Educators applying for Instructional areas that cover N–3 or K–6 must pass the Praxis II Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge test AND the appropriate Praxis II subject test prior to August 31, 2013. Educators applying for Instructional areas that cover K–12 must pass the Praxis II Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge test AND the appropriate Praxis II subject test.

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).

For Vocational Instructional certifications, see Vocational Instructional section

Note: test codes that begin with "5" or "6" are delivered in computer format; codes that begin with "0" or "1" are delivered on paper. All tests are paper-delivered tests unless otherwise noted.

Tests Required for Specific Licensure Areas

N–3 or K–6 Areas

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.

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Any N–3 or K–6 Area	Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (Computer) (Calculator allowed.) (until August 31, 2013)	5511	150
	or
	Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (Paper) (Calculator allowed.) (until August 31, 2013)	0511	150
Early Childhood Education N–3	Early Childhood Education (until August 31, 2013)	0020	530
Elementary Education K–6	Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (Computer) (until August 31, 2013)	5011	168
	or
	Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (Paper) (until August 31, 2013)	0011	168

Middle Level (Grades 4–8)

Educators applying for an initial Instructional 4–8 area are required to pass a basic skills assessment, in addition to passing the appropriate Praxis II test(s). Please note that to be certified in Middle Level 4-8, you must take and pass the Core Assessment AND the Subject Concentration test(s) for the subject(s) you are preparing to teach. The Core Assessment must be taken first or on the same date as the Subject Concentration test(s).

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Middle Level 4–8	Pennsylvania Grades 4–8 Core Assessment* (Calculator allowed.)	5152	NA
	Pedagogy Subtest	5153	162
	English Language Arts and Social Studies Subtest	5154	152
	Mathematics and Science Subtest (Calculator allowed.)	5155	164
	* To pass the Pennsylvania Grades 4–8 Core Assessment you must receive a passing score on each subtest. You must take the full test on your initial attempt. If, after your first attempt you did not pass one of the individual subtests, you may take just that subtest again for a reduced fee.
Test takers seeking certification in Middle Level 4-8 must ALSO take the Subject Concentration test(s) for the area(s) they plan to teach.
Middle Level Citizenship Education 4–8	Pennsylvania Grades 4–8 Subject Concentration: Social Studies	5157	150
Middle Level English 4–8	Pennsylvania Grades 4–8 Subject Concentration: English Language Arts	5156	156
Middle Level Mathematics 4–8	Pennsylvania Grades 4–8 Subject Concentration: Mathematics (Calculator allowed.)	5158	173
Middle Level Science 4–8	Pennsylvania Grades 4–8 Subject Concentration: Science (Calculator allowed.)	5159	156

Middle Level (Grades 7–9) (until August 31, 2013)

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.

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Middle Level Citizenship Education 7–9	Middle School Social Studies (Computer) (until August 31, 2013)	5089	152
	or
	Middle School Social Studies (Paper) (until August 31, 2013)	0089	152
Middle Level English 7–9	Middle School English Language Arts (Computer) (until August 31, 2013)	5049	163
	or
	Middle School English-Language Arts (Paper) (until August 31, 2013)	0049	163
Middle Level Mathematics 7–9	Middle School Mathematics (Calculator allowed.) (until August 31, 2013)	0069	151
Middle Level Science 7–9	Middle School Science (until August 31, 2013)	0439	144

Secondary Education (Grades 7–12)

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).

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Biology 7–12	Biology: Content Knowledge	0235	147
Chemistry 7–12	Chemistry: Content Knowledge	0245	154
Citizenship Education 7–12	Citizenship Education: Content Knowledge (Computer)	5087	148
	or
	Citizenship Education: Content Knowledge (Paper)	0087	148
Communication 7–12	Communication	0800	530
Cooperative Education 7–12	Cooperative Education	0810	770
Earth & Space Science 7–12	Earth and Space Sciences: Content Knowledge	0571	157
English 7–12	English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge (Computer)	5041	160
	or
	English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge (Paper)	0041	160
General Science 7–12	General Science: Content Knowledge	0435	146
Mathematics 7–12	Mathematics: Content Knowledge (Computer) (Graphing calculator required.) (available beginning June 2012)	5061	136
	or
	Mathematics: Content Knowledge (Paper) (Graphing calculator required.)	0061	136
Physics 7–12	Physics: Content Knowledge	0265	140
Safety/Driver Education 7–12	Safety/Driver Education	0860	520
Social Sciences 7–12	Social Sciences: Content Knowledge	0951	Contact State
Social Studies 7–12	Social Studies: Content Knowledge (Computer)	5081	157
	or
	Social Studies: Content Knowledge (Paper)	0081	157

K–12 Areas

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).

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Any K–12 Area	Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (Computer) (Calculator allowed.)	5511	150
	or
	Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (Paper) (Calculator allowed.)	0511	150
Agriculture K–12	Agriculture (PA)	0780	520
Art K–12	Art: Content Knowledge	0134	158
Business, Computers & Information Technology K–12	Business Education: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.)	0101	154
Environmental Education K–12	Environmental Education	0830	600
Family and Consumer Sciences K–12	Family and Consumer Sciences	0121	162
French K–12	French: World Language	5174	162
German K–12	German: World Language	5183	163
Health K–12	Health Education (Computer) (available beginning June 2012)	5550	650
	or
	Health Education (Paper)	0550	650
Health and Physical Education K–12	Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge (Computer) (available beginning August 2012)	5856	146
	or
	Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge (Paper)	0856	146
Latin K–12	Latin	0600	610
Library Science K–12	Library Media Specialist	0311	151
Marketing/Distributive Education K–12	Marketing Education	0561	144
Music K–12	Music: Content Knowledge(contains listening section)	0113	158
Reading Specialist K–12	Reading Specialist	0300	570
Spanish K–12	Spanish: World Language	5195	168
Technology Education K–12	Technology Education	0051	159

Special Education

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Special Education N–12	Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (Computer)	5354	151
	or
	Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (Paper)	0354	151
Special Education: Hearing Impaired K–12	Education of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Students	0271	164
Special Education: Speech & Language Impaired K–12	Teaching Speech to Students with Language Impairments	0881	159
	or
	Speech-Language Pathology	0330	600
Special Education: Visually Impaired K–12	Teaching Students with Visual Impairments	0281	147

Educational Specialist

Educators applying for an initial certificate in the areas of

Elementary Counselor, Secondary Counselor and School Psychologist are required to pass a basic skills test, in addition to passing the appropriate Praxis II test(s).
Home and School Visitor and Instructional Technology Specialist are required to 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.

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
School Counselor: Elementary K–6 or Secondary 7–12	School Guidance & Counseling (Contains listening section.)	0420	590
School Psychologist K–12	School Psychologist(Contains listening section.)	0401	150

Administration

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Principal or Vocational Director	Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision	0411	143
	or
	School Leaders Licensure Assessment (Must use SLS Bulletin to register.)	6011	163
Superintendent	School Superintendent Assessment (Computer) (Must use SLS Bulletin to register.) Test required beginning Fall 2012. Please check back in mid-July for updated information.	6021	TBD
Supervisor or Vocational Supervisor	Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision	0411	143

TBD – Score to be determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Vocational Instructional

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

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Vocational Instructional I	Praxis I Reading (Computer)	5710	172
	or
	Praxis I Reading (Paper)	0710	172
	and
	Praxis I Writing (Computer)	5720	173
	or
	Praxis I Writing (Paper)	0720	173

Vocational Instructional I — Praxis I Method 2 — Composite

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Vocational Instructional I	Praxis I Reading (Computer)	5710	No required minimum score
	or
	Praxis I Reading (Paper)	0710	No required minimum score
	and
	Praxis I Writing (Computer)	5720	No required minimum score
	or
	Praxis I Writing (Paper)	0720	No required minimum score
	Composite score is an average on the Praxis I Reading and Praxis I Writing tests of 172.5 with no required minimum score. Praxis score reports will not indicate the composite score for the Vocational Instructional I license. In order to determine your composite score for the Vocational Instructional I license, you must average your scores on the Praxis I Reading and Praxis I Writing tests.		Average 172.5

Vocational Instructional II — Praxis I Method 1

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Vocational Instructional II	Praxis I Mathematics (Computer)	5730	173
	or
	Praxis I Mathematics (Paper)	0730	173

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).

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Vocational Instructional II	Praxis I Reading (Computer)	5710	Minimum Score of 169
	or
	Praxis I Reading (Paper)	0710	Minimum Score of 169
	and
	Praxis I Writing (Computer)	5720	Minimum Score of 170
	or
	Praxis I Writing (Paper)	0720	Minimum Score of 170
	and
	Praxis I Mathematics (Computer)	5730	Minimum Score of 170
	or
	Praxis I Mathematics (Paper)	0730	Minimum Score of 170
	Composite score (sum of all three tests). A minimum score in each area with a composite score of 521 is required.		521

This page is a supplement to The Praxis Series™ Information Bulletin.