South Dakota Test Requirements

Find your licensure area below to determine which test you need to take and 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 and teachers without prior teaching experience must pass one of the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) tests along with the appropriate content-specific test.

praxis testing for South Dakota
To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	CDT Code	PDT Code	Qualifying Score
All Areas (Beginning teachers & teachers without prior teaching experience)	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood¹	5621	0621	157
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6¹	5622	0622	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9¹	5623	0623	160
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12¹	5624	0624	157

Tests Required for Specific Licensure Areas

Early Childhood Education

praxis testing for South Dakota
To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	CDT Code	PDT Code	Qualifying Score
Birth–Preschool Education Endorsement	Education of Young Children	5021	0021	166
Early Childhood Regular Education⁵	Education of Young Children	5021	0021	166

Elementary Education

praxis testing for South Dakota
To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	CDT Code	PDT Code	Qualifying Score
Elementary Education K–8⁵	Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.)	5014	0014	140
	or
	Middle School: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.)	5146	0146	141
Elementary Education K–8 with 5–8 Middle Level	Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.)	5014	0014	140
	or
	Middle School: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.)	5146	0146	141

Middle School Education

praxis testing for South Dakota
To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	CDT Code	PDT Code	Qualifying Score
Middle Level-Language Arts 5–8²	Middle School English Language Arts	5049	0049	150
Middle Level-Mathematics 5–8³	Middle School Mathematics (Calculator allowed.)	n/a	0069	140
Middle Level-Science 5–8	Middle School Science	n/a	0439	138
Middle Level-Social Studies 5–8	Middle School Social Studies	5089	0089	145

Secondary Education (Grades 7–12) Endorsements

Note: Endorsements cannot be awarded without a valid South Dakota Teaching Certificate

praxis testing for South Dakota
To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	CDT Code	PDT Code	Qualifying Score
Language Arts: Drama/Theater Endorsement 7–12	Theatre	n/a	0641	148
Language Arts: English Education Endorsement (Composition/ Grammar) 7–12	English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge²	5041	0041	154
Language Arts: English Education Endorsement (Literature) 7–12	English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge²	5041	0041	154
Language Arts: Mass Communications Endorsement 7–12	Speech Communication: Content Knowledge	n/a	0221	143
Language Arts: Speech/Debate Endorsement 7–12	Speech Communication: Content Knowledge or coursework	n/a	0221	143

Secondary Education (Grades 7–12)

Note: Endorsements cannot be awarded without a valid South Dakota Teaching Certificate

praxis testing for South Dakota
To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	CDT Code	PDT Code	Qualifying Score
Language Arts: Composite 7–12⁵	English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge²	5041	0041	154
	and
	Speech Communication: Content Knowledge	n/a	0221	143
Language Arts: Drama/Theater 7–12⁵	Theatre	n/a	0641	148
Language Arts: English Education (Composition/ Literature/Speech) 7–12⁵	English Language, Literature, and Composition: Content Knowledge²	5041	0041	154
Language Arts: Speech/Debate 7–12	coursework
Mathematics Education 7–12⁵ or Endorsement	Mathematics: Content Knowledge³ (Graphing calculator required.)	5061	0061	124
Science Education 7–12 Biology⁵ or Endorsement	Biology: Content Knowledge	5235	0235	147
Science Education 7–12 Chemistry⁵ or Endorsement	Chemistry: Content Knowledge	5245	0245	135
Science Education 7–12 Earth Science⁵ or Endorsement	Earth and Space Sciences: Content Knowledge	5571	0571	150
Science Education 7–12 Physical Science⁵ or Endorsement	Physical Science: Content Knowledge	n/a	0481	143
Science Education 7–12 Physics⁵ or Endorsement	Physics: Content Knowledge	5265	0265	130
Social Science Education: Economics 7–12⁵ or Endorsement	Economics	n/a	0911	147
Social Science Education: Geography 7–12⁵ or Endorsement	Geography	n/a	0921	138
Social Science Education: Government and Political Science 7–12⁵ or Endorsement	Government/Political Science	n/a	0931	149
Social Science Education: History 7–12⁵ or Endorsement	World and U.S. History: Content Knowledge	5941	0941	135
Social Science Education: Psychology 7–12⁵ or Endorsement	Psychology	n/a	0390	520
Social Science Education: Sociology 7–12⁵ or Endorsement	Sociology	n/a	0950	540

All Grades

praxis testing for South Dakota
To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	CDT Code	PDT Code	Qualifying Score
Art Education K–12⁵ or Endorsement	Art: Content Knowledge	5134*	0134	151
Health K–12⁵or Endorsement	Health Education	5550	0550	580
Music Education K–12 (Composite, Vocal or Instrumental)⁵or Endorsement	Music: Content Knowledge	5113*	0113	150
Physical Education K–12⁵ or Endorsement	Physical Education: Content Knowledge	5091	0091	140
Reading Endorsment K–12	Teaching Reading	5204	0204	154

* Available beginning February 2013.

World Languages

praxis testing for South Dakota
To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	CDT Code	PDT Code	Qualifying Score
French K–12⁵ or Endorsement	French: World Language	5174	n/a	152
German K–12⁵ or Endorsement	German: World Language	5183	n/a	154
Spanish K–12⁵ or Endorsement	Spanish: World Language	5195	n/a	156

Administrator/School Leader

praxis testing for South Dakota
To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	CDT Code	PDT Code	Qualifying Score
Principal	Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision	5411	0411	145
Superintendent	Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision	5411	0411	145

Special Education

praxis testing for South Dakota
To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	CDT Code	PDT Code	Qualifying Score
Birth–PK Special Education Endorsement⁵	Special Education: Early Childhood	n/a	0691	159
Early Childhood Special Education⁵	Special Education: Early Childhood	n/a	0691	159
Special Education K–12⁵ or Endorsement	Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications	5354	0354	145
Special Education K–8⁵ or Endorsement	Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications	5354	0354	145
Special Education 7–12⁵ or Endorsement	Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications	5354	0354	145

Career and Technical Education

praxis testing for South Dakota
To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	CDT Code	PDT Code	Qualifying Score
Agriculture Education 7–12⁵ or Endorsement⁵	Agriculture	n/a	0700	480
Business Education 7–12⁵ or Endorsement	Business Education: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.)	5101	0101	148
Family and Consumer Sciences 7–12⁵ or Endorsement⁵	Family and Consumer Sciences	5121	0121	150
Technology Education 7–12⁵ or Endorsement	Technology Education or coursework	n/a	0051	154

n/a — Not available in this delivery method.

¹ Only one PLT test is required, even if preparation is at multiple levels. Note: Teachers new to the profession and teachers without prior teaching experience must take the PLT test that most closely matches their preparation or submit a letter of verified teaching experience in an accredited K–12 school on a valid teacher certificate.

² The 0041/5041 test will also allow secondary level teachers to teach Language Arts at the middle school level without taking the 0049/5049 Middle School Language Arts test.

³ The 0061/5061 test will also allow secondary teachers to teach math at the middle school level without needing to take the 0069 Middle School Math test.

⁴ This test is not required for certification. It will be used as an option for non-certified administrators as an endorsement until they complete a full preparation program as either a principal or superintendent. Passing this test allows continuance in the current capacity as a building manager or CEO for an additional three years. The individual must have submitted a professional development plan outlining their intent to complete their administrative program.

⁵ Both coursework and the designated test(s) must be completed to add this authorization to a certificate.

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