Certification Testing
Requirements
Pennsylvania requires assessment of candidates in Basic Skills prior to entry into a preparation program. Pennsylvania also requires assessment of candidates in General Knowledge, Professional Knowledge and Subject Area Knowledge prior to issuance of a certificate. The documents below provide guidance for completing these requirements. Please review them carefully prior to completing any assessment requirement.
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Pathways to Demonstrate Basic Skills for Teacher Certification Candidates (PDF) -
watch a brief YouTube video that provides helpful information on the pathways
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Composite Score Calculator (Excel) Cannot be used for Career and Technical certification
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Certification Test and Score Requirements (Excel)
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CSPG 21 – Testing
- Certification Testing Guidelines
Announcements
The test for the new subject area "Special Education PK-12" (new subject area available January 1, 2022) is listed below. For individuals obtaining Special Education PK-12 as an initial PA certificate, Fundamental Subjects (5511) must also be completed as a required test. The test is currently available for registration through ETS.
| Special Education PK-12 | Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications (5354) |
151 |
ETS |
| Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge (5511) |
150 |
ETS
|
**Note future changes to the following tests. A successfully completed discontinued test will be accepted indefinitely if taken prior to the date it is discontinued.
| Biology 7-12 | Biology: Content Knowledge (5235)
Discontinued: 8/31/22 | 147
| ETS |
Biology 7-12
| Biology (5236)
Beginning 9/1/22 | 154
| ETS |
Chemistry 7-12
| Chemistry: Content Knowledge (5245)
Discontinued 8/31/22 | 154
| ETS |
Chemistry 7-12
| Chemistry (5246)
Beginning 9/1/22 | 146
| ETS |
| Earth and Space Science 7-12 | Earth and Space Sciences: Content Knowledge (5571)
Discontinued 8/31/22 | 157
| ETS |
Earth and Space Science 7-12
| Earth and Space Sciences (5572)
Beginning 9/1/22 | 154
| ETS |
| General Science 7-12 | General Science: Content Knowledge (5435)
Discontinued 8/31/22 | 146
| |
General Science 7-12
| General Science (5436)
Beginning 9/1/22 | 141
| |
Mathematics 7-12 - can currently take either test
| Mathematics: Content Knowledge (5161)
Discontinued 8/31/22 | 160
| ETS |
Mathematics 7-12
| Mathematics (5165)
Currently Available | 159
| ETS |
| Physics 7-12 | Physics: Content Knowledge (5265)
Discontinued 8/31/22 | 140
| ETS |
Physics 7-12
| Physics (5266)
Beginning 9/1/22 | 145
| ETS |
| Library Science PK-12 | Library Media Specialist (5311)
Discontinued 8/31/22 | 151
| ETS |
Library Science PK-12
| School Librarian (5312)
Beginning 9/1/22 | 154
| ETS |
| Elem and Sec School Counselor PK-12 | Professional School Counselor (5421)
Discontinued 8/31/22 | 156
| ETS |
Elem and Sec School Counselor PK-12
| School Counselor (5422)
Beginning 9/1/22 | 159
| ETS |
| School Psychologist PK-12 | School Psychologist (5402)
Discontinued 8/31/22 | 147
| |
School Psychologist PK-12
| School Psychologist (5403)
Beginning 9/1/22 | 155
| |
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Environmental Education (test code 0831) is still available. Look for the "Special Administrations" link on the Praxis Pennsylvania page.