Test Information
What tests are required for certification in PA?
Please request that Immaculata University (school code 2320) and the PA Department of Education receive your test scores.
Please review the test information below for the program that you are in or completed. If you are unsure of what test(s) to take, please reach out the certification officer. The contact information is below.
| Certification Type / Program | Test Name | Test # | Administered By / Website to Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary: PK-4 | The PK-4 Assessments (includes 3 modules) | 8006, 8007 and 8008 | Pearson: (www.pa.nesinc.com) |
| Pre K-4 and Special Education PK-12 | The PK-4 Assessment (includes 3 modules) | 8006, 8007 and 8008 | Pearson: (www.pa.nesinc.com) |
| PK-12 Special Education- Special Education: Foundational Knowledge | 5355 (Beginning 9/1/2023); 5354 (Accepted through 8/31/2023) |
ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| K-12 (Special Education PK-12, BCIT, Music, and Reading Specialist) | Fundamental Subjects - Content Knowledge (Note: The Fundamental Subjects test is only required for candidates seeking their first Pennsylvania certificate) |
5511 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis |
| Plus the subject concentration test: | |||
| PK-12 Special Education- Special Education: Foundational Knowledge | 5355 (Beginning 9/1/2023); 5354 (Discontinued 8/31/2023) |
ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| BCIT | 5101 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| Music | 5113 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| Reading Specialist | 5302 (Required beginning September 1, 2021); 5301 (Accepted through August 31, 2021) |
ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| 7-12 (Biology, Chemistry, ELA, and Social Studies) | Biology | 5236 (Required beginning September 1, 2022); 5235 (Accepted through August 31, 2022) |
ETS: www.ets.org/praxis |
| Chemistry | 5246 (Required beginning September 1, 2022); 5245 (Accepted through August 31, 2022) |
ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| English Lang., Arts: Content Knowledge | 5038 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| Social Studies | 5581 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| School Counselor | Professional School Counselor | 5422 (Required beginning September 1, 2022); 5421 (Accepted through August 31, 2022) |
ETS: www.ets.org/praxis |
| Superintendents Ltr of Eligibility | School Superintendent Assessments (SSA) | 6991 (Required starting 3/1/2020) 6021 (Accepted if taken before 9/1/2020) |
ETS: https://www.ets.org/sls/register |
| Supervisor | Educational Leadership: Admin & Supervision | 5412 (replaces 5411 effective 3/1/2019) | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis |
| Principal | School Leaders Licensure Assessment | 6990 (replaces 6011 effective 3/1/2019) | ETS: https://www.ets.org/sls/register |
Please review the important information below regarding test information.
Basic Skills Assessment Requirement: Effective July 1, 2025, the basic skills assessment required under 22 Pa. Code § 49.18 (relating to assessment) will no longer be required for entry into a Pennsylvania baccalaureate teacher preparation program. (24 P.S. § 1207.3)
(1) If you have your initial certification or are completing pk-grade 4 along with special education pk-grade 12, you are not required to take test 5511. (2) Please check the testing websites to see if your test is available to take from home. (3) Many tests allow for a GPA allowance. Please visit the PA Department of Education for more information on GPA allowances allowed in PA.
| Certification Type | Test Name | Test # | Administered By / Website to Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary: Grades 5 and 6 | English Lang. Arts and Social Studies Subtest | 5154 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis |
| Math and Sciences Subtest | 5155 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| Note: Adding on Elementary Grades 5–6 is only available to those holding a valid Pennsylvania Grades PK–4 certificate. | |||
| Elementary: Grades 4 through 8 | Pennsylvania Gr. 4-8 Core Assessment | 5152 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis |
| Pedagogy Subtest (Not needed for people with Pre K-Grade 4 Certification) |
5153 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| English Lang. Arts and Social Studies Subtest | 5154 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| Math and Sciences Subtest | 5155 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| Plus the subject concentration test: | |||
| English Lang., Arts | 5156 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| Social Studies | 5157 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| Math | 5158 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
| Science | 5159 | ETS: www.ets.org/praxis | |
"Pennsylvania educators who hold any Instructional certificate may add instructional content areas by testing alone with no additional coursework required. To find more information on what certifications can be added on by testing alone, please visit PDE's site for more information. Add on testing does not allow for a GPA Allowance.
Please contact Leah Bustraan, Certification Officer, at 484-323-3297 or lbustraan@immaculata.edu with any questions.