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.
-
Pathways to Demonstrate Basic Skills for Teacher Certification Candidates
Brief video that provides helpful information on the pathways (YouTube)
-
Composite Score Calculator (Excel) Cannot be used for Career and Technical certification
-
Certification Test and Score Requirements (Excel)
-
CSPG 21 – Testing
-
Certification Testing Guidelines
Act 55 of 2022 Basic Skills Assessment Moratorium
Act 55 of 2022 signed into law by Governor Wolf on July 8, 2022 requires the Secretary of Education to waive the requirement to satisfactorily complete the assessment of basic skills required under section 1207.3 and 22 Pa. Code § 49.18(c) (relating to assessment) for 3 years from July 8, 2022 through July 8, 2025. This applies to all students who enter preparation programs during this period as well as otherwise qualified candidates for licensure who make application during this period.
Announcements
- Family and Consumer Sciences (5122) will no longer be available after 8/31/2024; Family and Consumer Sciences (5123) will be available on 9/1/2024.
- Social Studies: Content Knowledge (5081) will no longer be available after 8/31/2024; Social Studies (5581) will be available on 9/1/2024.
- Technology Education (5051) will no longer be available after 8/31/2024; Technology and Engineering Education (5053) will be available on 9/1/2024.
- Environmental Education (0831) is no longer available through ETS; a new test is being developed by PDE, please check back this fall.