Overview of Wisconsin Testing Requirements

How to Qualify for Licensure

For initial educator licensure in Wisconsin, all candidates must:

• Earn a baccalaureate degree.
• Complete an approved program of teacher education.
• Pass The Praxis Series™ tests for their certification area.
• Complete the educator license application forms.
• Pay the appropriate application fees.

Visit the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Applicant Guide to Wisconsin Educator Licenses for complete information on license requirements and the educator application process.

Important Information

• Beginning with the 2012–13 testing year, ETS is administering a new version of the Theatre test. The test will have a new test code: 0641. 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. Visit Test Centers and Dates to find testing centers near you. The tests are 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.
  • Art: Content Knowledge (5134) — February 2013
  • Biology: Content Knowledge (5235) — September 2012
  • Business Education: Content Knowledge (5101) — December 2012
  • Chemistry: Content Knowledge (5245) — September 2012
  • Earth and Space Sciences: Content Knowledge (5571) — October 2012
  • Family and Consumer Sciences (5121) — December 2012
  • General Science: Content Knowledge (5435) — September 2012
  • Music: Content Knowledge (5113) — February 2013
  • Physics: Content Knowledge (5265) — September 2012
  • Professional School Counselor (5421) — February 2013
  • Speech-Language Pathology (5330) — December 2012
  • World and United States History: Content Knowledge (5941) — December 2012

Who Must Take the Tests?

Praxis I® Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST®)

All students planning to enroll in their initial professional education (licensure) program in Wisconsin colleges, universities or alternative programs are required to pass the Praxis I® test(s) in Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Completion of the Praxis I tests is required for admission to all professional education programs. The tests are usually taken during the first or second year of undergraduate work, depending on the institution of higher education's policies.

Educators applying for licenses in Wisconsin who have completed professional education programs after August 31, 1992, at colleges and universities located in other states are required to submit passing scores on the Praxis I test to the Department of Public Instruction or an equivalent basic skills tests required by their professional education programs or states.

Praxis II® Subject Tests

In Wisconsin, students who have completed their professional education after August 31, 2004, must take the appropriate Praxis II® tests for each area of certification they seek, as specified by the state for their license area(s).

All state-approved professional education programs in Wisconsin require student assessments of content knowledge (in most license fields) that are determined by passing scores on the Praxis II test(s) as set by the state superintendent. This includes programs offered at colleges and universities, as well as alternative training, experimental and innovative programs. Each Wisconsin professional education program establishes its own policy for when tests must be completed within its program sequence. It is important to note that no candidate may waive the requirement to take the Praxis II test(s) for his or her license area. This includes all scenarios of program completion.

Out-of-State Candidates

Educators who complete state-approved professional education programs in other states will need to document that they have passed the required tests for licensure in the state where the approved program is located.

Educators who completed a program after August 31, 2004, and whose state required a different test than Wisconsin does, must take and pass the Praxis II test(s) required in Wisconsin in their licensure area(s) to obtain an Initial Educator or Professional Educator license in Wisconsin.

Testing Requirements for Educators Adding a Second License Based on a Content Test

As of December 2010, Wisconsin educators who hold a valid Professional Educator license in social studies, science, English language arts and mathematics/computer science are eligible to add on licensure in a related area based on passing a content test approved by the State Superintendent.

To apply for a license in this pathway, a Professional Educator must hold a valid Wisconsin Professional Educator License (License Type: 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 40, 41, 42 or 43), Master Educator License (License Type: 50, 51 or 52) or Life License (License Type: 08) in the related subject area (see below).

• Related Area: English Language Arts
• Related Area: Math
• Related Area: Science
• Related Area: Social Studies

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