Missouri

With the exception of School Psychologist certification, candidates cannot take the Praxis tests for Missouri educator certification.

• The School Psychologist certification requires the passage of the Praxis School Psychologist examination.
• All other candidates must pass the Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA) for admission to and completion of educator certification programs in Missouri.

For more information, please go to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.

Important note for individuals holding a MO Temporary Authorization Certificate (TAC): Any individual on a TAC must take both the pertinent content test AND the appropriate PLT test. For example, if a TAC candidate is pursuing middle school certification, then they must take the Principles of Learning and Teaching: 5-9 (5623).

• The first day on which ETS exams may be taken and used for certification in Missouri will be July 1, 2024. ETS Exams taken before this date may not be used for Missouri certification.
• Nearly all educator certifications in Missouri require passage of a Praxis exam. Review the Missouri Test Requirements for specific test requirements.
• Initial teacher certification may be obtained through several routes. See the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) page called “Routes to Certification” for details.
• An individual who already has an initial teacher certification in Missouri may add certification in another area by passing the state-approved Praxis exam for the additional area. 

• If you test in Missouri at a test center or at home, and your Praxis profile address is in Missouri, your score report will be sent automatically to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• If you test outside Missouri or your Praxis profile address is not in Missouri, your scores are NOT automatically sent to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. To have your scores sent to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, you must select the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (state code 7625) as a score recipient when you register.
• For all methods of Praxis testing, to request additional score reports you must select the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (state code 7625) with each additional score report request.

For initial certification in Missouri, all candidates must:

• Earn a baccalaureate degree.
• Complete an approved educator preparation program.
• Pass the Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA).

To add on certification in Missouri, educators must:

• Hold a Missouri professional teaching certificate.
• Pass the approved Missouri Educator Gateway Assessments (MEGA).

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved the Praxis School Psychologist test for state certification as a School Psychologist. Review the test requirements page for additional information. In addition, you can find more information on the Routes to Missouri Educator Certification.

Candidates are required to have passed the CollegeBASE and/or Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA) before formal admittance to an educator preparation program at a college and/or university.

• Two exams are not associated with educator certification. They are Speech-Language Pathology (5331) and Audiology (5343)
• Questions about these two exams and their associated certifications should be directed to the Missouri State Board of Healing Arts.

The Principles of Learning and Teaching: 9-12 (5624) is only required for individuals who are on a MO Temporary Authorization Certification (TAC) for a 9-12 certification and individuals pursuing certification through the doctoral route in the below subject areas:

• Agriculture Education, Grades 9-12^
• Biology, Grades 9-12^
• Business Education, Grades 9-12^
• Chemistry, Grades 9-12^
• Computer Science, Grades 9-12^
• Earth Science, Grades 9-12^
• English, Grades 9-12^
• Journalism, Grades 9-12^
• Marketing, Grades 9-12^
• Mathematics, Grades 9-12^
• Physics, Grades 9-12^
• Social Science, Grades 9-12^
• Speech and Theatre, Grades 9-12^
• Technology and Engineering, Grades 9-12^

Principles of Learning and Teaching: 5-9 (5623) Requirements:

• Agriculture Education, Grades 5-9 ¹ ²
• Business Education, Grades 5-9 ¹ ²
• Language Arts, Grades 5-9 ²
• Mathematics, Grades 5-9 ²
• Science, Grades 5-9 ²
• Social Science, Grades 5-9 ²
• Speech and Theatre, Grades 5-9 ¹ ²
• Technology and Engineering, Grades 5-9 ¹ ²

¹ The Principles of Learning and Teaching: 5-9 (5623) is the only certification exam requirement for an initial certification in these middle level areas. No additional content exam is required.

² If educators with secondary content certifications wish to add a middle school certification in the same area, the only requirement is to take the Principles of Learning and Teaching: 5-9 (5623). This options is only available in these areas.