North Carolina Test Requirements

Find your licensure area below to determine which test you need to take and to 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.

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).

If you test in North Carolina, your score report will be sent automatically to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. If you test outside of North Carolina, select the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (state code 7846) as a score recipient when you register or on an additional score report request.

Tests Required for All Licensure Areas

Admission to North Carolina State-Approved Educator Preparation Programs

Higher education students seeking admission to North Carolina state-approved educator preparation programs must pass Praxis^® Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) tests or meet alternative testing requirements approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education.

To Be Licensed in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
K–12: All Areas	Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading	5712	*
	and
	Core Academic Skills for Educators: Writing	5722	*
	and
	Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics(On-screen four-function calculator provided.)	5732	*
	If you wish to take all three computer-delivered Core exams (5712, 5722, 5732) at the same time, select Core Academic Skills for Educators: Combined Test (5751) when registering. Scores will be reported by individual test (5712, 5722, 5732).

Performance Assessment

To Be Licensed in	You Need to Take	Qualifying Score
All Areas	PPAT^® Assessment (Must use PPAT Assessment website to register.)	38
	or
	An alternative state-approved performance assessment.

Tests Required for Specific Licensure Areas

Elementary Education

The North Carolina Board of Education passed an adjustment to policy LICN-003, which allows the use of the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics CKT test as an option to meet the mathematics requirement for the Elementary Education (K-6) license effective April 6, 2019.

To Be Licensed in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Elementary Education (K-6)	Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics CKT test(On-screen four-function calculator provided.)	7803	*

Middle School Education

To Be Licensed in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Language Arts (Middle Grades)	Middle School English Language Arts	5047	*
Mathematics (Middle Grades)	Middle School Mathematics (On-screen graphing calculator provided.)	5169	*
Science (Middle Grades)	Middle School Science	5440	*
Social Studies (Middle Grades)	Middle School Social Studies	5089	*

Secondary Education

Beginning on July 1, 2018, a candidate will be exempt from the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12 (5624) assessment requirement if the candidate can produce evidence of a passing score on a nationally scored PPAT Assessment or an alternative state-approved performance assessment.

For lateral entry, a provisional license or to add a teaching area by testing to an existing license a passing score on the specified content knowledge test and one of the following pedagogy tests is required: PLT test 5624 or PPAT Assessment or an alternative state-approved performance assessment.

To Be Licensed in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Anthropology (Secondary)	Social Studies: Content Knowledge	5081	*
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12	5624	*
Biology (Secondary)	Biology: Content Knowledge	5235	*
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12	5624	*
Chemistry (Secondary)	Chemistry: Content Knowledge	5245	*
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12	5624	*
Earth Science (Secondary)	Earth and Space Sciences: Content Knowledge	5571	*
Economics (Secondary)	Social Studies: Content Knowledge	5081	*
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12	5624	*
English (Secondary)	English Language Arts: Content Knowledge	5038	*
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12	5624	*
Geography (Secondary)	Social Studies: Content Knowledge	5081	*
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12	5624	*
History (Secondary)	Social Studies: Content Knowledge	5081	*
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12	5624	*
Mathematics (Secondary)	Mathematics: Content Knowledge (On-screen graphing calculator provided.)	5161	*
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12	5624	*
Physics (Secondary)	Physics: Content Knowledge	5265	*
Political Science (Secondary)	Social Studies: Content Knowledge	5081	*
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12	5624	*
Science (Comprehensive, Secondary)	General Science: Content Knowledge	5435	*
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12	5624	*
Social Studies (Comprehensive, Secondary)	Social Studies: Content Knowledge	5081	*
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12	5624	*
Sociology (Secondary)	Social Studies: Content Knowledge	5081	*
	and
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12	5624	*

All Grades

To Be Licensed in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Academically/ Intellectually Gifted (K–12)	Gifted Education	5358	*
Art (K–12)	Art: Content and Analysis	5135	*
Health and Physical Education (K–12)	Health and Physical Education: Content Knowledge	5857	*
Health Specialist (K–12)	Health Education	5551	*
Music (K–12)	Music: Content and Instruction	5114	*
Physical Education (K–12)	Physical Education: Content Knowledge	5091	*
Reading (Bachelor's Level, K–12)	Teaching Reading	5204	*
Reading (Graduate Level, K–12)	Reading Specialist	5301	*
Speech Communication (K–12)	Speech Communication: Content Knowledge	5221	*

World Languages

To Be Licensed in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
English as a Second Language (K–12)	English to Speakers of Other Languages	5362	*
French (Secondary, K–12)	French: World Language	5174	*
German (Secondary, K–12)	German: World Language	5183	*
Latin (9–12)	Latin	5601	*
Spanish (Secondary, K–12)	Spanish: World Language	5195	*

Special Education

To Be Licensed in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Exceptional Children Program Administrator	Accepted through August 31, 2019. Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision	5411	*
	or
	Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision	5412	*
Special Education: Adapted Curriculum	The following tests are required for licensure.
	Special Education: Core Knowledge and Severe to Profound Applications	5545	*
	and
	Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (On-screen scientific calculator provided.)	5511	*
Special Education: Behaviorally/ Emotionally Disabled	The following tests are required for licensure.
	Special Education: Teaching Students with Behavioral Disorders/and Emotional Disturbances	5372	*
	and
	Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (On-screen scientific calculator provided.)	5511	*
Special Education: Cross Categorical	The following tests are required for licensure.
	Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications	5354	*
	and
	Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (On-screen scientific calculator provided.)	5511	*
Special Education: General Curriculum (K–12)	The following tests are required for licensure. The North Carolina Board of Education passed an adjustment to policy LICN-003, which allows the use of the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics CKT Subtest as an option to meet the mathematics requirement for the Exceptional Children: General Curriculum license effective April 6, 2019.
	Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics CKT Subtest(On-screen four-function calculator provided.)	7803	*
	and
	Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications	5543	*
	See the Public Schools of North Carolina website for additional testing requirements
Special Education: Learning Disabled	The following tests are required for licensure.
	Special Education: Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities	5383	*
	and
	Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (On-screen scientific calculator provided.)	5511	*
Special Education: Mentally Disabled	The following tests are required for licensure.
	Special Education: Teaching Students with Intellectual Disabilities	5322	*
	and
	Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (On-screen scientific calculator provided.)	5511	*
Special Education: Severely Profoundly Mentally Disabled	The following tests are required for licensure.
	Special Education: Teaching Students with Intellectual Disabilities	5322	*
	and
	Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (On-screen scientific calculator provided.)	5511	*
Special Education: Visually Impaired	The following test is required for licensure.
Special Education: Visually Impaired	Special Education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments	5282	*

Career & Technical Education

To Be Licensed in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Business Education (Career–Technical Education)	Business Education: Content Knowledge (Calculator allowed.)	5101	*
Career–Technical Education Director	Accepted through August 31, 2019. Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision	5411	*
	or
	Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision	5412	*
Family and Consumer Sciences (Career–Technical Education)	Family and Consumer Sciences	5122	*
Marketing Education (Career–Technical Education)	Marketing Education	5561	*
Technology Education (Career–Technical Education)	Technology Education	5051	*

Special Service Personnel

To Be Licensed in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
Audiologist	Audiology	5342	*
Counselor	Professional School Counselor	5421	*
Curriculum–Instructional Specialist	Accepted through August 31, 2019. Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision	5411	*
	or
	Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision	5412	*
Media Coordinator	Library Media Specialist	5311	*
Media Supervisor	Accepted through August 31, 2019. Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision	5411	*
	or
	Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision	5412	*
School Psychologist	School Psychologist	5402	*
Speech-Language Pathologist	Effective July 1, 2011, Speech-Language Pathologist testing requirements for North Carolina are determined by the NCBOESLPA.

This page is a supplement to The Praxis^® Tests Information Bulletin.