Overview of Delaware Testing Requirements

How to Qualify for Licensure

For initial licensure in Delaware, all candidates must:

• Earn a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Complete a student teaching program, as part of a regionally accredited teacher preparation program; OR complete a state-approved alternative route to licensure and certification program; OR complete one year of teaching experience with no less than 91 days of long-term teaching in one curricular area in one Delaware public or charter school.
• Register online through the Delaware Educator Data System (DEEDS).
• Apply for licensure and certification through DEEDS.
• Pass the Praxis I® Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST®), the Praxis™ Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) OR provide passing scores for acceptable alternatives.
• Send official transcripts and test scores to the Delaware Department of Education.

For further requirements, refer to the Delaware Administrative Code, Issuance of Initial License.

How to Qualify for Certification

For initial certification in Delaware, all candidates must:

• Apply for and receive a Delaware initial or continuing license.
  • An advanced license is for educators who hold certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). New National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) who are currently teaching in Delaware will receive their advanced license after the NBPTS releases the score results on its website. NBCTs coming to Delaware from another state and currently teaching in Delaware must apply through DEEDS for the continuing license and certification; submit official transcripts; and provide a notarized copy of their NBPTS certificate.
• Acquire the knowledge, skills and education to practice in their desired field(s).
• Pass the Praxis II® tests for their certification area, if applicable and available.
• Send official transcripts and test scores to the Delaware Department of Education.

For further requirements, refer to the Delaware Administrative Code, Standard Certificate regulations.

For further information about Delaware educator licensing, visit the Delaware Educator Data System website.

Important Information

• Beginning with the 2013–14 testing year, ETS is administering a new version of the Health Education test. This new test will be offered in a computer-delivered format and the new test code will be 5551. 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 the Technology Education test in a computer-delivered format that will be introduced in July 2014. Visit Test Centers and Dates to find testing centers near you. The computer-delivered version covers the same content as the paper-delivered version and is scored on the same scale; however, the computer-delivered test has a different test code.

• The Delaware Department of Education does not require a Social Security Number (SSN) to process educator certification paperwork. ETS does not require your SSN for its own purposes, but will submit it to the Delaware Department of Education with your test results. However, failure to provide your SSN could delay processing of your certification application.
• If you test in Delaware, your score report will be automatically sent to the Delaware Department of Education. If you test outside of Delaware, select the Delaware Department of Education (state code 7065) as a score recipient when you register or on an additional score report request.

Who Must Take the Tests?

• Most professional educators seeking initial licensure in Delaware must take the Praxis I or the Core test(s).
• Candidates who hold full and current out-of-state licensure/certification (see reciprocity) are exempt from Delaware's Praxis I or Core testing requirements.
• Other candidates may satisfy the Praxis I or Core requirement by meeting the established qualifying score(s) on examinations deemed to be viable exemption options, provided that exemption option testing was completed prior to the candidate's employment date.
• In Delaware, you must also pass the appropriate Praxis II tests for each area of certification you seek, if the test is applicable and available.
• For more information about initial licensure or certification, visit the DEEDS website.

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 or Health-related Needs