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.
To Be Certified in | You Need to Take | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
---|---|---|---|
All Areas (Beginning teachers & teachers without prior teaching experience) |
PPAT® Assessment or |
35 |
|
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood¹ or |
5621 |
157 |
|
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades K–6¹ or |
5622 |
160 |
|
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 5–9¹ or |
5623 |
160 |
|
Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7–12¹ or |
5624 |
157 |
|
5625 |
157 |
Tests required for specific licensure areas
To Be Certified In | You Need to Take | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
---|---|---|---|
Early Childhood Regular Education4 | 5024 |
160 |
|
5025 |
156 |
To Be Certified in | You Need to Take | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
---|---|---|---|
Self Contained K–4th Grade5 |
5025 |
156 |
|
5001 |
5 |
||
Reading and Language Arts Subtest |
5002 |
150 |
|
Mathematics Subtest |
5003 |
146 |
|
Social Studies Subtest |
5004 |
147 |
|
Science Subtest |
5005 |
150 |
|
5 To pass the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects test you must receive a passing score on each subtest. If you wish to take all four subtests (5002, 5003, 5004, 5005) at the same time, select Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) when registering. If you wish to take or retake an individual subtest, you may register to take just that subtest. | |||
or |
|||
7811 |
6 |
||
Reading and Language Arts CKT Subtest |
7812 |
156 |
|
Mathematics CKT Subtest |
7813 |
143 |
|
Science CKT Subtest |
7814 |
144 |
|
Social Studies CKT Subtest |
7815 |
161 |
|
6 To pass the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching test you must receive a passing score on each subtest. If you wish to take all four subtests (7812, 7813, 7814, 7815) at the same time, select Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching (7811) when registering. If you wish to take or retake an individual subtest, you may register to take just that subtest. |
|||
Self Contained 5th–8th Grade |
5001 |
7 |
|
Reading and Language Arts Subtest |
5002 |
150 |
|
Mathematics Subtest |
5003 |
146 |
|
Social Studies Subtest |
5004 |
147 |
|
Science Subtest |
5005 |
150 |
|
7 To pass the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects test you must receive a passing score on each subtest. If you wish to take all four subtests (5002, 5003, 5004, 5005) at the same time, select Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) when registering. If you wish to take or retake an individual subtest, you may register to take just that subtest. |
|||
or |
|||
7811 |
8 |
||
Reading and Language Arts CKT Subtest |
7812 |
156 |
|
Mathematics CKT Subtest |
7813 |
143 |
|
Science CKT Subtest |
7814 |
144 |
|
Social Studies CKT Subtest |
7815 |
161 |
|
8 To pass the Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching test you must receive a passing score on each subtest. If you wish to take all four subtests (7812, 7813, 7814, 7815) at the same time, select Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching (7811) when registering. If you wish to take or retake an individual subtest, you may register to take just that subtest. |
|||
or |
|||
5146 |
141 |
||
K–4th Grade English Language Arts Endorsement |
Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Reading and Language Arts Subtest |
5002 |
150 |
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Reading and Language Arts CKT Subtest |
7812 |
156 |
|
K–4th Grade Math Endorsement |
Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Mathematics Subtest (On-screen scientific calculator provided) or |
5003 |
146 |
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics CKT Subtest |
7813 |
143 |
|
K–4th Grade Science Endorsement |
Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Science Subtest (On-screen scientific calculator provided) or |
5005 |
150 |
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Science CKT Subtest |
7814 |
144 |
|
K–4th Grade Social Studies Endorsement |
Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Social Studies Subtest |
5004 |
147 |
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Social Studies CKT Subtest |
7815 |
161 |
|
5th–8th Grade English Language Arts Endorsement |
5047 |
164 |
|
English Language Arts: Content Knowledge² or |
5038 |
167 |
|
Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Reading and Language Arts Subtest |
5002 |
150 |
|
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Reading and Language Arts CKT Subtest |
7812 |
156 |
|
(On-screen graphing calculator provided) or |
5164 | 157 | |
5th–8th Grade Math Endorsement | Accepted through August 31, 2022 (On-screen scientific calculator provided) or |
5169 |
165 |
(On-screen scientific calculator provided) or |
5164 |
157 |
|
Accepted through August 31, 2022 Mathematics Content Knowledge3 (On-screen scientific calculator provided) or |
5161 | 160 | |
(On-screen scientific calculator provided) or |
5165 | 159 | |
Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Mathematics Subtest (On-screen scientific calculator provided) or |
5003 |
146 |
|
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics CKT Subtest |
7813 |
143 |
|
5th–8th Grade Science Endorsement |
5442 |
152
|
|
Accepted through August 31, 2023 General Science: Content Knowledge or |
5435 |
143 |
|
Accepted through September 1, 2022 or |
5436 |
141 |
|
5005 |
150 |
||
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Science CKT Subtest |
7814 |
144 |
|
5th–8th Grade Social Studies Endorsement |
5089 |
145 |
|
5081 |
146 |
||
Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects Social Studies Subtest |
5004 |
147 |
|
Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Social Studies CKT Subtest |
7815 |
161 |
Endorsements cannot be awarded without a valid South Dakota Teaching Certificate. Some Endorsements may be added through coursework or a major.
To Be Certified in | You Need to Take | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
---|---|---|---|
Secondary Intermediate English Language Arts (Literature, Composition/Grammar) |
5038 |
167 |
|
Secondary Advanced Literature |
5038 |
167 |
|
Secondary Drama/Theater4 |
5641 |
148 |
|
Secondary Speech/Debate |
5221 |
143 |
|
Secondary Mass Communication4 |
5224 |
153 |
|
Secondary Intermediate Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II) |
5164 | 157 | |
5165 |
159 |
||
Secondary Advanced Mathematics4 |
5165 |
159 |
|
Secondary Intermediate Science (Biology, Physical Science, Earth Science)4 |
Accepted through August 31, 2023 General Science: Content Knowledge or |
5435 |
143 |
Accepted beginning September 1, 2022 or |
5436 |
141 |
|
Secondary Advanced Biology4 |
Accepted through August 31, 2023 or |
5235 |
147 |
Accepted beginning September 1, 2022 or |
5236 |
154 |
|
Secondary Advanced Earth Science4 |
Accepted through August 31, 2023 Earth and Space Sciences: Content Knowledge or |
5571 |
150 |
Accepted beginning September 1, 2022 or |
5572 |
154 |
|
Secondary Advanced Physical Science4 |
Accepted through August 31, 2023 |
5245 |
135 |
Accepted through August 31, 2023 |
5265 |
130 |
|
5485 |
157 |
||
Secondary Chemistry4 |
Accepted through August 31, 2023 or |
5245 |
135 |
Accepted beginning September 1, 2022 or |
5246 |
146 |
|
Secondary Physics4 |
Accepted through August 31, 2023 or |
5265 |
130 |
Accepted beginning September 1, 2022 or |
5266 |
145 |
|
Secondary Intermediate Social Science (History, Political Science, Geography) 4 |
5081 |
146 |
|
Secondary Advanced Geography4 |
5921 |
149 |
|
Secondary Advanced History4 |
5941 |
146 |
|
Secondary Advanced Political Science4 |
5931 |
149 |
|
Secondary Economics4 |
5911 |
147 |
|
Secondary Psychology4 |
5391 |
154 |
|
Secondary Sociology4 |
5952 |
154 |
Endorsements cannot be awarded without a valid South Dakota Teaching Certificate. Some Endorsements may be added through coursework or a major.
To Be Certified in | You Need to Take | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
---|---|---|---|
Elementary Art |
5134 |
151 |
|
Secondary Art |
5134 |
151 |
|
Elementary Computer Science |
5652 |
142 |
|
Secondary Computer Science |
5652 |
142 |
|
Elementary Music Education |
5113 |
150 |
|
Secondary Music Education |
5113 |
150 |
|
K–12 Instrumental Music Education |
or |
5113 |
150 |
5115 |
150 |
||
K–12 Vocal Music Education |
or |
5113 |
150 |
5116 |
153 |
||
Elementary Health Education |
5551 |
145 |
|
Secondary Health Education |
5551 |
145 |
|
Elementary Physical Education |
5091 |
140 |
|
Secondary Physical Education |
5091 |
140 |
|
Elementary Reading |
5206 |
156 |
|
5302 |
165 |
||
Secondary Reading |
or |
5206 |
156 |
5302 |
165 |
||
Elementary Chinese |
5665 |
164 |
|
Secondary Chinese |
5665 |
164 |
|
Elementary French |
5174 |
152 |
|
Secondary French |
5174 |
152 |
|
Elementary German |
5183 |
154 |
|
Secondary German |
5183 |
154 |
|
Elementary Latin |
5601 |
152 |
|
Secondary Latin |
5601 |
152 |
|
Elementary Spanish |
5195 |
160 |
|
Secondary Spanish |
5195 |
160 |
|
Elementary English as a New Language |
5362 |
155 |
|
Secondary English as a New Language |
5362 |
155 |
|
Elementary Gifted Education |
5358 |
151 |
|
Secondary Gifted Education |
5358 |
151 |
|
Elementary School Librarian |
Accepted through August 31, 2023 or |
5311 |
152 |
Accepted beginning September 1, 2022 |
5312 | 154 | |
Secondary School Librarian |
Accepted through August 31, 2023 or |
5311 |
152 |
Accepted beginning September 1, 2022
|
5312 | 154 |
To Be Certified in | You Need to Take | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
---|---|---|---|
Principal |
School Leaders Licensure Assessment (must use SLS website to register) |
6990 |
146 |
Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent |
School Superintendent Assessment (must use SLS website to register) |
6991 |
162 |
Endorsements cannot be awarded without a valid South Dakota Teaching Certificate. Some Endorsements may be added through coursework or a major.
Special education teachers who teach a specific core content area are required to meet the subject testing requirements for that core content area. Please refer to the appropriate section(s) on this page for requirements.
To Be Certified in | You Need to Take | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
---|---|---|---|
Early Childhood Special Education Birth through Grade 3 |
Accepted through August 31, 2023 Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood or |
5691 |
159 |
Accepted beginning September 1, 2022 |
5692 | 159 | |
Special Education K–12 |
5354 |
145 |
Endorsements cannot be awarded without a valid South Dakota Teaching Certificate. Some Endorsements may be added through coursework or a major.
To Be Certified in | You Need to Take | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
---|---|---|---|
Agriculture Food and Natural Resources Career Cluster |
5701 |
147 |
|
Architecture and Construction Career Cluster |
5051 |
154 |
|
Business Management and Administration Career Cluster |
5101 |
148 |
|
Business Marketing and Management Career Pathway |
5561 |
158 |
|
Construction Career Pathway |
5051 |
154 |
|
Design and Pre-Construction Career Pathway |
5051 |
154 |
|
Education and Training Career Cluster |
5122 |
153 |
|
Family and Consumer Science Career Cluster |
5122 |
153 |
|
Finance Career Cluster |
5101 |
148 |
|
Human Services Career Cluster |
5122 |
153 |
|
Information Technology Career Cluster |
5652 |
142 |
|
Marketing Career Cluster Endorsement |
5561 |
158 |
|
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Career Cluster4 |
5051 |
154 |
To Be Certified In | You Need to Take | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
---|---|---|---|
School Counselor | Accepted through August 31, 2023 or |
5421 |
164 |
Accepted beginning September 1, 2022 |
5422 | 159 |
To Be Certified in | You Need to Take | Test Code | Qualifying Score |
---|---|---|---|
Braille |
0633 |
164 |
|
CEO |
5412 |
146 |
|
Para-professional |
(must use the ParaPro Assessment website to register) |
1755 |
461 |
1 Only one PLT test is required, even if preparation is at multiple levels. Teachers new to the profession and teachers without prior teaching experience must take the PLT test that most closely matches their preparation or submit a letter of verified teaching experience in an accredited K–12 school on a valid teacher certificate.
2 The 5038 test will also allow secondary level teachers to teach Language Arts at the middle school level without taking the 5047 Middle School Language Arts test.
3 The 5161 test will also allow secondary teachers to teach math at the middle school level without taking the 5169 Middle School Math test.
4 Both coursework and the designated test(s) must be completed to add this authorization to a certificate.
This page is a supplement to The Praxis® Tests Information Bulletin (PDF) and the ParaPro Assessment Information Bulletin (PDF).
