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For questions regarding
Certification:
   360.725.6400
   cert@k12.wa.us

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  Certification
Teachers Administrators ESA CTE

Teacher Certification

Teacher Assessments

Washington has two testing requirements, basic skills testing and content area testing described below:

WEST-B Basic Skills Test Requirement

Washington Educator Skills Test – Basic (WEST-B). Must successfully complete each subtest for reading, writing and mathematics (all subtests must be from the same provider). Use report code #399 to have your test score sent to OSPI electronically. Test information and registration is available online.

In place of the above basic skills test, candidates from outside the state may use one of the following:

CBEST (used in California and Oregon). Please provide an official/original (or notarized copy of an official/original) wallet card or report of successful completion of the CBEST exam.

Praxis I (PPST). Must complete each subtest for reading, writing and mathematics (all subtests must be from the same provider). Please provide an official/original (or notarized copy of an office/original) score report of passing scores of 177 (or 325 on the computer-based test) for reading, 174 (or 321 CBT) for writing and 176 (or 321 CBT) for mathematics.

WEST-E Praxis II
The following endorsement areas require completion of the WEST-E Praxis II until January 1, 2010. Individuals from outside the state of Washington who complete one of the following Praxis II tests, MUST have completed all other requirements for residency certification (except WEST-B) AND submit their application for certification by December 31, 2009, or the candidate will be required to complete the new WEST-E testing requirements. Get more test and registration information from www.ets.org/praxis/prxwa.html.

  • World Languages (Spanish, French, and German)

WEST-E test
The following endorsement areas require completion of the WEST-E test. Test information and registration is available online.

  • Agriculture Education
  • Bilingual Education*
  • Biology
  • Business Education
  • Chemistry
  • Dance
  • Earth and Space Science
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Early Childhood Special Education
  • Elementary Education
  • English Language Arts
  • English Language Learner
  • Family Consumer Science Education
  • Health/Fitness
  • History
  • Latin Language
  • Library Media
  • Marketing Education
  • Mathematics
  • Middle Level Humanities
  • Middle Level Math
  • Middle Level Science
  • Music: Choral
  • Music: General (neither Choral nor Instrumental)
  • Music: Instrumental
  • Physics
  • Reading
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Technology Education
  • Theatre Arts
  • Traffic Safety Education
  • Visual Arts
*As of September 1, 2009 individuals will not only need to complete the WEST-E test in bilingual education but will also need to complete the ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test and the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview at the Advanced-Mid level in a world language area.

For endorsements in Other Designated World Languages (Chinese, Japanese, Norwegian, Russian, Swedish) in which No Praxis II or WEST-E exam is available:

The endorsement competencies and language proficiency will be assessed and verified via completion of a state approved teacher preparation program at a regionally accredited college or university, or language proficiency certified by the passage of the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview at the intermediate high level. Test information and registration is available online here: www.languagetesting.com.

Beginning January 1, 2010 individuals will not only need to complete the WEST-E test in the designated world language but will also need to complete the ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test and the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview at the Advanced-Mid level in a world language area.

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certificate exemptions.

Individuals who hold a valid NBPTS certificate in a subject area or grade level comparable to one of the Washington endorsement areas are exempt from testing requirements for that endorsement area. (See NBPTS Exemption).

Questions?

Additional information regarding teacher assessments is also available from the Professional Educator Standards Board website here: http://www.pesb.wa.gov/Assessment/assessment.asp

 

Old Capitol Building, PO Box 47200, 600 Washington St. S.E., Olympia, WA  98504-7200  (360) 725-6000  TTY (360) 664-3631