Everything You Need to Know Before Taking Your Teacher Certification Exams

Written by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

Teacher certification, sometimes referred to as a teaching license, is provided by states to ensure that educators in public schools (and some private schools) in that state are qualified to make a positive academic contribution to the lives of students. It provides evidence to school boards, principals, parents, and guardians that teachers have met the required standards in that state, completed the necessary education, and demonstrated that they are ready to be classroom teachers. The education of children is a public responsibility that must be taken seriously. Teacher certification provides an objective standard to verify that prospective educators have met all the required education and experience and have passed the necessary tests to prove their readiness to teach.

Understanding the Teaching Certification Process

Educators with a teacher certification or teaching license should be ready to hit the ground running on their first day in the classroom with all the skills necessary to be effective educators and improve student outcomes. While teaching involves lifelong learning and professional development, it is essential to have this baseline of qualification so that teachers are not thrown into an academic situation that they are unprepared for. Certified teachers will know how to present lessons about required material, relate to all students respectfully, and maintain order in a classroom.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Teacher Certification?

The time it takes to get a teacher certification can vary depending on the state. At the very minimum, one must consider the time investment to earn a bachelor's degree. That usually requires four years of full-time study. Some students can accelerate their programs by doing extra summer or intersession courses, allowing them to graduate in three years. Others go part-time or may need additional classes due to transferring schools or changing majors. In some cases, earning a bachelor's degree can take five or six years.

One must also take the required assessments. These are often built into teacher education programs so aspiring educators can pass the compulsory tests by graduation. If a student struggles to pass an exam, they will have to retake the test, which can add extra time to the process.

Earning a master's degree to obtain a full certification will add time to the process as well. One to four more years might be necessary to obtain a teaching certification.

Individuals using state-approved alternative certification programs because they already have a bachelor's or master's degree in a subject other than education may be able to complete the requirements in a year or two, which usually includes passing the specified exams.

In-State vs. Out-of-State Programs

The process for obtaining a teaching license may vary depending on whether one is an in-state or out-of-state candidate. The process will be more straightforward for those applying to be a teacher in the state where they live and have attended school. They will need to meet the requirements of that state, including any necessary educational degrees and tests.

If a prospective teacher is applying for a different state teaching certificate, they may be subject to distinct requirements. If it is their first certificate, they will need to meet the education and testing requirements. If they already have a teacher certificate from a different state, they may be able to apply for a reciprocal certificate from the new state.

To obtain a reciprocal certificate, an educator must already hold an appropriate, valid teaching license in the same subject area and educational level they are applying for. They must also meet the educational requirements of the state they are applying to. They will need to complete any required paperwork, submit evidence of certification, and carry out any fingerprinting and background check requirements.

How to Get a Teaching Certificate

Different states have unique requirements for obtaining a teaching certificate, but some specific items are frequently required. The first step in learning how to get a teaching certificate should be to check the requirements of the state where you wish to teach. Some states have reciprocal agreements, where if you are certified to teach in a different state, you can easily obtain a license in that state.

Meet Degree Requirements

A bachelor's degree is usually required for a teaching certificate. In many cases, a major in a particular form of education is mandatory. For example, one can major in early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education, special education, etc. A second subject major may also be required, especially for those who wish to teach at the high school level where more specialization is necessary.

For instance, a high school math teacher might be expected to major in math as part of their college program. Those with a bachelor's degree in a subject area other than education may still be able to pursue teacher certification through an alternative certification path provided by the state.

Some states provide a temporary license to educators who have a bachelor's degree with the understanding that they will pursue a master's degree within a certain amount of time to earn a full certificate. Depending on the particular license, a master of arts in teaching or a master's degree in education may be required. These degrees offer advanced training in educational pedagogy. They may also include graduate-level, subject-specific coursework.

Master's programs generally take one to two years of full-time study, although many teachers working in a classroom may wish to pursue their graduate work part-time. It is crucial to work out a reasonable plan to earn the master's degree within the allotted time so as not to risk losing one's certification.

Pass Mandatory Exams

Various states require educators to take mandatory exams. Examples of these include the Praxis, TExES, FTCE, CBEST, and NYSTCE exams, all of which will be discussed in more detail below. There are often general assessments that educators must pass, depending on what grade level an aspiring teacher wants to be certified in.

Additionally, subject-specific exams are often required. Teachers test for general and subject-specific elementary topics if they want to educate elementary school students, including elementary math, history, science, and language arts, to ensure they are well-equipped to instruct a classroom in those subjects. High school teachers may need to take more advanced tests, reflecting a higher-level understanding of the material.

Gain Classroom Experience

After passing the required fingerprinting and background checks to investigate any criminal history, prospective teachers will have the opportunity to gain experience in the classroom. This may be obtained through student teaching experiences that are usually part of a bachelor's or master's degree in education. Those taking an alternative certification path due to having a degree in a subject other than education may work with a mentor teacher to obtain this experience.

Certification Tests for Teachers

There are several different tests for teachers. Which teacher's test an individual needs to take will depend on the state where a prospective educator is applying for a license. Some common assessments include the Praxis, TExES, FTCE, CBEST, and NYSTCE exams.

While these tests are all different, they share some features, such as providing separate assessments for different educational levels like early childhood, elementary, and secondary. They also include subject area exams on topics such as reading, math, science, history, special education, etc. Prospective teachers must verify that they are registering for and taking the correct teacher tests for the teacher certification they wish to obtain.

Praxis Exam

The Praxis exam is implemented for teacher certification in many states. Some states require all their teacher candidates to pass the Praxis test, while others only have teachers seeking a specific certification use them.

The Praxis core exam evaluates basic math, reading, and writing skills and is the principal test for teachers across the United States. Individuals can take the exam at home via computer or in person at a testing center. If someone does not pass the exam, they can retake it, but each attempt must be at least 28 days apart.

In addition to the core exam, there are many level-specific and subject-specific Praxis tests, known as Praxis II exams. The level-specific assessments may include exams for early childhood education through secondary education, technical education, and special education. There are over ninety subject tests available, including assessments for art, biology, business education, chemistry, economics, family and consumer science, gifted education, physical education, social studies, theater, various languages, and many more. There are also specific assessments for those educators who plan to focus on special education, reading, and school counseling.

TExES Exam

The TExES exam is a fundamental part of the certification process for prospective teachers who want to teach in Texas. The basic TExES test that all educators must take is the TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 exam. This exam focuses on teaching methods and professional educational behavior and standards.

Prospective teachers may also be required to take other TExES tests depending on what teaching certification they are applying for. There are assessments for various specialties, such as early childhood education, special education, and reading specialists. Tests that cover specific topics are also available, including chemistry, biology, health science, social studies, language arts, physical education, English as a second language, and bilingual education. There are also exams for future school counselors and principals.

TExES exams are administered at approved testing locations, and educators may register for the exams up to 170 days in advance. Accommodations are available for those with documented disabilities. Students may take the test up to five times, with a thirty-day break between each attempt, provided that previous scores have been recorded. Exams that include written essay portions may take longer to grade than the thirty-day window.

FTCE Exam

Prospective Florida teachers need to take the FTCE exam. These assessments are computer-based and tailored to assess future educators' content mastery, pedagogical knowledge, and classroom management skills. All teachers are required to take the FTCE General Knowledge Test and the Professional Education Test. The General Knowledge Test covers an educator's skills in reading, English, essay writing, and math. The Professional Education Test focuses on teaching methods and pedagogy. Some of the topics include learning environments, assessment tools and strategies, ethics and conduct, and instructional planning.

Teachers may also register for any subject-based FTCE test that they may need depending on their desired certification. These assessments may be geared toward specific grade levels as well. Some subject exams include English, art, biology, chemistry, deaf education, drama, engineering, English as a second language, foreign languages, marketing, music, physical education, and many more. Certification is also available for aspiring school counselors and those who wish to focus on special education.

FTCE tests are given at approved testing centers. Scores can take up to four weeks to be available. Those planning to take these exams should arrange enough time to take the exam and receive the scores by the date needed.

CBEST Exam

The CBEST Exam is required for prospective California educators. It is computer-based and may be taken at a testing center or remotely.

The CBEST test consists of three independent sections, each of which the test-taker must register for separately. The reading and math CBEST exams have fifty multiple-choice questions each, and the writing assessment requires students to compose two essays. The reading and writing components take one hour and thirty minutes each, while the math exam allows two hours. Calculators are not permitted. Accommodations are available for those with a documented cognitive or learning disability.

Tests are available year-round by appointment on all days other than Sundays and some holidays, with results available two weeks after the assessment. Practice tests are available in PDF formats for educators to familiarize themselves with the content of the exams. There are also tutorials available so that test-takers can be aware of what it is like to take this computer-based exam.

CSET exams are subject exams for California teachers that may be required for some candidates. They are tailored to the California educational frameworks. Some of the subject tests offered include art, business, foreign languages, math, sciences, music, and social science.

NYSTCE Exam

Prospective educators in New York must pass particular NYSTCE exams. Those pursuing an initial teaching certificate must take the Educating All Students (EAS) exam and relevant Content Specialty Tests (CSTs).

Students are allowed two hours and thirty minutes for the Educating All Students exam, which is offered at various testing centers. This NYSTCE test features questions on teaching diverse populations, those whose first language is not English, and students with special needs and disabilities. It also assesses the candidate's understanding of educator responsibilities and the ability to cultivate positive relationships with parents and guardians.

Content Specialty Tests are subject examinations that are available in several content areas. Some topics include agriculture, biology, chemistry, dance, language arts, foreign languages, gifted education, math, music, physical education, physics, and more. There are also assessments for those focusing on special education or who wish to be school administrators. Multi-subject NYSTCE tests are available for early childhood, elementary, middle school, and secondary teachers.

Alternative testing arrangements are available for those with documented learning disabilities. Study guides and practice tests can also help students prepare for the exam. Additionally, there is a video to tour the testing center, and an explanation of the score report is provided.

Teacher Certification Test Tips

Those who need to take teacher certification tests to achieve their career goals have a vested interest in passing these assessments. Fortunately, there are steps that prospective educators can take to improve their chances of doing well on these important exams. Here are some valuable tips.

• Take College Classes that Cover the Material: Students will want to keep their career goals in mind when planning college coursework. Education departments and career counselors at institutions of higher learning can help students develop courses of study that will cover the material highlighted on the needed exams.
• Use Study Guides: Many test providers and independent publishers offer official study guides that help students prepare for their exams. Take advantage of these resources to learn what the exam covers and the type of questions one can expect. Test-takers can analyze their results, organize more time to study unfamiliar topics and seek additional resources to boost their knowledge. These guides can also provide valuable information on how the exams are scored, supplying educators with tips on what to do if they do not know the answer. In some cases, taking an educated guess is better than leaving a question blank.
• Take Practice Tests: Practice tests allow participants to gain familiarity with the specific teacher certification tests they need to take. They have a time limit to give students an accurate sense of what it will be like to sit for the exam. If an individual does not score as well as they hoped on these practice assessments, they can focus their study time on their areas of weakness. After studying, they can retake the practice exam or try a different version to see if they still need additional preparation.
• Become Familiar with the Testing Center: Some programs allow students to take teacher certification exams from the comfort of their own homes. For those who need to take it in a testing center, it is wise to become familiar with the location and accommodations.