Required PRAXIS Examinations for Each Certification Area with Session/Test Code

If you are seeking teacher certification in Pennsylvania, you need to take two sets of PRAXIS examinations. These two sets of examinations are known as PRAXIS I and PRAXIS II. Both sets of PRAXIS exams are administered by ETS. Information for both Praxis I and Praxis II is provided below.

For more information about the PRAXIS exams and how to register for them, you can visit the ETS website: click here.  Click on the links below to go to the ETS "Test at a Glance" for each test.

Test takers with disabilities should visit the following link before registering: www.ets.org/praxis/prxdsabl.html

PRAXIS I
How to Register
Regardless of your certification area, you must pass the PRAXIS I examinations to be admitted to the Teacher Education Program at Messiah College. PRAXIS I consists of three Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) that assess your basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. You can register to take these three exams in paper form or in computerized form at a Sylvan Learning Center (consult the ETS website for locations, click here). Here are the specific tests and their corresponding codes:

Praxis I Tests at a Glance

When you register for the PRAXIS I exams, remember to list the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Messiah College as score recipients. Here are the codes:

How to Interpret your Scores

Important Update: Pennsylvania's Praxis I requirements changed on September 15, 2005. Please visit the following ETS web page for a complete explanation of qualifying scores and the process used to determine if you have met PA requirements, click here.

PRAXIS II

When you complete your certification program (or near completion) and are ready to apply for your Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate, you must pass the second set of PRAXIS exams. These exams are known as PRAXIS II. In contrast to the PRAXIS I basic skills tests, the PRAXIS II exams assess your knowledge of the content related to your particular certification area. So the specific PRAXIS II exam(s) you must take depends on your certification area.

The table below lists the specific PRAXIS II exams (along with their codes) that are required by Pennsylvania for each of the certification programs offered at Messiah College. The exam(s) listed under your certification area are the one(s) for which you must register and pass before we can send your certification application to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It is important to note that these are the PRAXIS II exams that are currently required by Pennsylvania. If you are seeking certification in a state other than Pennsylvania, you may find that the required PRAXIS exams are different. Again, when you register, don’t forget to list Messiah College (Code RA2411) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (Code R 8033) as score recipients. 

Choose your tests from the drop down menu when you go to the following link to see ETS' Praxis II Tests at a Glance

Art Education K-12

10133 Art: Content Knowledge

30511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge

Biology 7-12

20235 Biology: Content Knowledge

Chemistry 7-12

20245 Chemistry: Content Knowledge (2 hr)

Early Childhood Education N-3

10020 Early Childhood Education

30511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge

Elementary Education K-6

10011 Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment

30511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge

English 7-12

10041 English Language, Literature, & Composition: Content Knowledge

Environmental Education K-12 (dual Certification with Biology)

10830 Environmental Education

30511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge

Family & Consumer Sciences K-12

10120 Family & Consumer Sciences

30511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge

French K-12

20173 French: Content Knowledge (contains listening section)

30511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge

Special Note: Foreign Language French candidates have the option of taking either the PRAXIS or the ACTFL test. Candidates may take the ACTFL test, which includes a written (when available) and oral exam that is graded on a proficiency scale rather than a point scale.  Both the written and oral exams must be taken when available.  The minimum proficiency to qualify is Intermediate High - Code 120.  Candidates may contact the ACTFL Language Testing office at http://www.actfl.org or at 914-948-5100 for further information.

German K-12

20181 German: Content Knowledge (contains listening section)

30511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge

Special Note: Foreign Language German candidates have the option of taking either the PRAXIS or the ACTFL test.  Candidates may take the ACTFL test, which includes a written (when available) and oral exam that is graded on a proficiency scale rather than a point scale.  Both the written and oral exams must be taken when available.  The minimum proficiency to qualify is Intermediate High - Code 120.  Candidates may contact the ACTFL Language Testing office at http://www.actfl.org or at 914-948-5100 for further information.

Health & Physical Education K-12

20856 Health & Physical Education: Content Knowledge

30511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge

Mathematics 7-12

10061 Mathematics: Content Knowledge (graphing calculator required)

Music Education K-12

10113 Music: Content Knowledge (contains listening section)

30511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge

Social Studies 7-12

10081 Social Studies: Content Knowledge

Spanish K-12

10191 Spanish: Content Knowledge (contains listening section)

30511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge

Special Note: Foreign Language Spanish candidates have the option of taking either the PRAXIS or the ACTFL test.  Candidates may take the ACTFL test, which includes a written (when available) and oral exam that is graded on a proficiency scale rather than a point scale.  Both the written and oral exams must be taken when available.  The minimum proficiency to qualify is Intermediate High - Code 120.  Candidates may contact the ACTFL Language Testing office at http://www.actfl.org or at 914-948-5100 for further information.

Special Education N-12 (dual Certification with Elementary Education)

20353 Education of Exceptional Students: Core Content Knowledge

30511 Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge