Overview of Pennsylvania Testing Requirements

For initial certification in Pennsylvania, all candidates must:

• Earn a Baccalaureate degree (except for career and technical instructional areas)
• Complete an approved educator preparation program
• Pass the Praxis tests for their certification area
• Submit the appropriate certification form and fees

For certification outside Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education website.

Learn about: 

• Approved Certification Programs
• Education Leadership Programs (Administrative, Supervisory, Superintendent, etc.)

• If you test in Pennsylvania at a test center or at home, and your Praxis profile address is in Pennsylvania, your score report will be sent automatically to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
• If you test outside Pennsylvania or your Praxis profile address is not in Pennsylvania, your scores are NOT automatically sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. To have your scores sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, you must select the Pennsylvania Department of Education (state code 8033) as a score recipient when you register.
• For all methods of Praxis testing, to request additional score reports you must select the Pennsylvania Department of Education (state code 8033) with each additional score report request.

• ETS discontinued paper-delivered testing; however, Praxis tests will continue to be available in a paper-delivered format as required for ADA accommodations. All scores for previously administered paper-delivered tests are reportable for 10 years from the date the test was taken.

All teacher candidates or those wishing to become certified in Pennsylvania must take the Praxis tests.

Post baccalaureate candidates are no longer required to take the "basic skills" tests as a requirement for certification.

You must also take the appropriate Praxis Subject Assessments for each area of certification you seek.

Also, you must meet the qualifying score for all applicable tests at the time your application for certification is received by the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality.

Note: Qualifying scores are subject to change. For candidates educated outside the Commonwealth, view interstate certification agreements.