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Test Requirements for Certification**
IMPORTANT NOTICE SPRING 2012:
Changes to the TESTING requirements!
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has changed some of their testing requirements. For Candidacy, students will no longer take the PRAXIS I (PPST) series of exams after April 1, 2012. Students should take the PECT PAPA series of exams by ESP if their initial test date is April 2, 2012 or later.
What does this mean for you?
1. If you have already successfully completed all three of the PRAXIS I exams (reading, writing, and math), you do not have to take the PAPA series of exams.
2. If you have successfully completed any one (or more) of the three PRAXIS I (PPST) exams (reading, writing, or math), prior to April 2, 2012, you should continue taking the PRAXIS I (PPST) series of exams. It is not appropriate to mix and match PRAXIS I (PPST) and PECT PAPA.
3. If your initial test date will be after April 2, 2012, you should plan to take the PECT PAPA series of exams.
Additional information may be found at PDE: Testing Requirements in Pennsylvania.
PDE: Testing Requirements in Pennsylvania**
Detailed information may be found at PDE: Testing Requirements in Pennsylvania.
Instructional I Certificate - Testing Requirements
Initial certification for Early Childhood Education N-3*, Elementary Education K-6*, and all K-12 areas: Agriculture, Art, Business/Computer/Information Technology, Environmental Education, Family and Consumer Science, Health, Health and Physical Education, Library Science, Marketing Education, Music, Reading Specialist, Hearing Impaired, Special Education N-12*, Speech & Language Impaired, Visually Impaired, Technology Education, and World Languages:
| Test(s) | To register, go to: |
|---|---|
| PAPA†: Reading, Writing, Mathematics‡ | www.pa.nesinc.com |
| Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge | www.ets.org/praxis/pa |
| Appropriate content area test (Praxis II) | www.ets.org/praxis/pa |
| Please note: Candidates prepared at a Pennsylvania college/university who completed the student teaching requirement prior to the fall semester 2003 must also take the Principles of Learning and Teaching test (K-6 or 7-12). http://www.ets.org/praxis/pa | |
Initial certification for Grades PK-4, Special Education PK-8 or 7-12:
| Test(s) | To register, go to: |
|---|---|
| PAPA†: Reading, Writing, Mathematics‡ | www.pa.nesinc.com |
| PECT test(s) for the certificate(s) | www.pa.nesinc.com |
Initial certification for Grades 4-8:
| Test(s) | To register, go to: |
|---|---|
| PAPA†: Reading, Writing, Mathematics‡ | www.pa.nesinc.com |
| Grades 4-8 Core Assessment Tests (3 Modules) | www.ets.org/praxis/pa |
| Grades 4-8 Concentration Tests (per subject area) | www.ets.org/praxis/pa |
Middle level grades 7-9* certification:
| Test(s) | To register, go to: |
|---|---|
| PAPA†: Reading, Writing, Mathematics‡ | www.pa.nesinc.com |
| Appropriate content area test for grades 7 through 9: | www.ets.org/praxis/pa |
See also the students' guide to Testing Requirements for Middle Grades Education.
Initial certification for secondary certificates (grades 7 through 12):
| Test(s) | To register, go to: |
|---|---|
| PAPA†: Reading, Writing, Mathematics‡ | www.pa.nesinc.com |
| Appropriate content area test for secondary subject(s) | www.ets.org/praxis/pa |
| Please note: Candidates prepared at a Pennsylvania college/university who completed student teaching prior to the fall semester 2003 must also take the Principles of Learning and Teaching test (K-6 or 7-12). www.ets.org/praxis/pa | |
* Certificates available only through August 31, 2013. All requirements must be met and application received prior to this date.
† Those who completed at least one PPST test or registered for at least one PPST test prior to April 2, 2012 must pass the PPST Reading, PPST Writing and PPST Mathematics available from www.ets.org/praxis/pa.
‡ As of July 1, 2011, post-baccalaureate program candidates do not need to take the PPSTs or PAPA.
Administrative and Supervisory Certificates - Testing Requirements
Principal and Vocational Administrative Director Administrative Certificate:
- Effective September 1, 2012, candidates for Principal and Vocational Administrative Director certification will be required to successfully complete the School Leadership Licensure Assessment Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision test (1011 or 6011). The Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision (0411) will be accepted if passed prior to August 31, 2012 and within ten years of the date of application. www.ets.org/praxis/pa
- Note: Effective April 2, 2012 all applicants wishing to add these certificate areas are also required to pass the appropriate test within ten years of the date of application.
Supervisor and Supervisor of Vocational Education Supervisory Certificate:
- Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision (0411) www.ets.org/praxis/pa
Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Letter of Eligibility:
- Effective December 1, 2012, School Superintendent Assessment (1020) www.ets.org/praxis/pa
Vocational Certificates
Vocational I:
- PPST: Reading, Writing www.ets.org/praxis/pa
- Occupational Competency Assessment
Vocational II:
- PPST Mathematics or the Vocational General Knowledge test (0890) if taken prior to 9/1/2008 and within ten years of the date of application. www.ets.org/praxis/pa
**Testing requirements are periodically revised. Students are held to the state requirements in place at the time of their application for certification.
