South Dakota Test Requirements

How to Qualify for Certification

For initial certification in South Dakota, all candidates must:

• earn a baccalaureate degree.
• complete an approved educator preparation program.
• pass the Praxis^® pedagogy test in their certification area.
• pass the Praxis content test or complete other requirements for the endorsement.

Find your licensure area below to determine which test you need to take and 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 South Dakota at a testing center or using the Praxis at home solution, and your Praxis profile address is in South Dakota, your score report will be sent automatically to the South Dakota Department of Education.

If you test outside South Dakota or your Praxis profile address is not in South Dakota, your scores are NOT automatically sent to the South Dakota Department of Education. To have your scores sent to the South Dakota Department of Education, you must select the South Dakota Department of Education (8112) as a score recipient when you register.

For all methods of Praxis testing, to request additional score reports you must select the South Dakota Department of Education (state code 8112) with each additional score report request.

Tests Required for All Licensure Areas

Beginning teachers and teachers without prior teaching experience must pass one of the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) tests along with the appropriate content-specific test.

praxis testing for South Dakota

To Be Certified in	You Need to Take	Test Code	Qualifying Score
All Areas (Beginning teachers & teachers without prior teaching experience)	PPAT® Assessment (must use the PPAT Assessment website to register.)		35
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood¹	5621	*
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6¹	5622	*
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9¹	5623	*
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12¹	5624	*
	or
	Principles of Learning and Teaching: PreK–12	5625	*

Tests Required for Specific Licensure Areas

This page is a supplement to The Praxis^® Tests Information Bulletin and the ParaPro Assessment Information Bulletin.