Licensure Testing Requirements

THE PRAXIS CORE EXAMINATION:

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) tests measure academic skills in reading, writing and mathematic These tests were designed to provide comprehensive assessments that measure the skills and content knowledge of candidates entering teacher preparation programs.
To increase the candidate’s pass rate it is MANDATORY that the candidate registers for the Praxis Core Course (Praxis I -EDU 1303) in the first year of entering the University. The candidate will take the PRAXIS Core test before completing the course. Students are highly encouraged to access the free Khan Academy Official Praxis Core Prep to complete diagnostic tests and to create a personalized study plan.

The required scores follow:

Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading 156
Core Academic Skills for Educators: Writing 162
Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics 150 Individuals with a composite score of 468 on Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics shall be deemed to have satisfied this requirement.

Students seeking entry to the Educator Preparation Program who have a four-year degree and a 2.7 undergraduate GPA are not required to fulfill this requirement.

Individuals with a total SAT score of 1100 taken PRIOR TO March 2016 are exempt from Praxis Core testing requirements for Educator Preparation Program admission. Individuals with a total redesigned SAT score of 1170 taken after March 2016 are exempt from Praxis Core testing requirements for teacher education program admission.
Individuals with a total SAT score of less than 1100 taken prior to March 2016, but a score of at least 550 on the Verbal test are exempt from the Praxis Core in Reading and Writing for teacher education program admission. Individuals with a total redesigned SAT score of less than 1170, but a score of at least 600 on the evidence-based reading and writing test are exempt from the Praxis Core in Reading and Writing for teacher education program admission.

Individuals with a total SAT score of less than 1100 taken prior to March 2016, but score of at least 550 on the Math test are exempt from the Praxis Core in Mathematics for teacher education program admission. Individuals with a total redesigned SAT score of less than 1170 taken after March 2016, but a score of at least 570 on the Math test are exempt from the Praxis Core in Mathematics for teacher education program admission.

Individuals with a composite ACT® score of 24 are exempt from Core testing requirements for educator preparation program admission.
Individuals with a composite ACT score of less than 24, but with a score of at least 24 on the English test, are exempt from the Core tests in Reading and Writing for educator preparation program admission.
Individuals with a composite ACT score of less than 24, but a score of at least 24 on the Math test, are exempt from the Core test in Mathematics for educator preparation program admission.

THE PRAXIS SUBJECT ASSESSMENT:

The Praxis Subject Assessments (formally known as Praxis II) measure knowledge of specific subjects that K–12 educators will teach, as well as general and subject-specific teaching skills and knowledge.
Praxis II Mathematics Exam Option for Elementary Education and Special Education Program Candidates.
- The North Carolina Board of Education passed an adjustment to policy LICN-003, which allows the use of the Praxis II Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics 7813 test as an option to meet the mathematics requirement for the Elementary Education (K-6) and Special Education license effective April 6, 2019.
In the fourth year of entering the Educator Preparation Program, the Candidate will register, take, and successfully pass the Praxis Subject Assessment(s) after successful completion of methods courses.

NC FOUNDATIONS OF READING

(Commonly known as the Pearson Exam):

Elementary Education and Special Education Program Candidates are required to take the Foundations of Reading/General Curriculum. Special Education Program Candidates are also required to take the Praxis Subject Assessment exam for Exceptional Children: General Curriculum (K-12).
The Foundations of Reading test for NC assesses proficiency in and depth of understanding of the subject of reading and writing development. The test reflects scientifically based reading research and is aligned with the North Carolina Common Core State Standards.
In the fourth year of entering the Educator Preparation Program, the Candidate will register, take, and successfully pass the NC Foundations of Reading/General Curriculum) after successful completion of methods courses.

SCORE RECIPIENT: When you register for the Praxis Core, Praxis Subject Assessment or, Foundations of Reading/General Curriculum please designate Winston-Salem State University as the score recipient. The exam code is 5909 and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction test center code is 7846.

Please visit the Winston-Salem State University Educator Preparation Program website for additional information regarding licensure.
- Licensure Office