Educator License Exams - Initial Licensure

As part of the process of becoming a licensed educator in Ohio’s pre-kindergarten through grade 12 system, candidates must pass licensure exams. Depending upon the content area, the tests for initial licensure are the Ohio Assessment for Educators, the ACTFL/LTI examinations for candidates who wish to teach world languages and Praxis assessments in selected areas.

What Tests Do I Need to Take? 

• Educator Licensure Testing Requirements

Test Series for Initial Licensure

• Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) measure professional, pedagogical and subject-specific knowledge and skills. Pearson's Evaluation Systems group provides these tests. 
• ACTFL/LTI World Languages Examinations provide a system of assessing and ensuring the spoken and written language proficiency of candidates for licensure in these areas.
• The Praxis Series^TM is provided by Educational Testing Service and includes Praxis II, which measures professional, pedagogical and subject-specific knowledge and skills. Ohio uses Praxis tests for initial licensure in school audiology, school speech pathology and school psychology. 

Military Fee Waiver 

Learn about seeking reimbursement for Ohio Assessments for Educators here. 

Foundations of Reading Exam

The option for in-state applicants to request single-content area middle childhood licenses closed June 30, 2019. Candidates completing an Ohio Department of Higher Education approved middle childhood licensure program must meet all requirements (including exams) for two content areas when applying for the Ohio license on or after July 1, 2019. 

Praxis Exams

Candidates who passed Praxis exams for licensure but were never issued the license must meet current Ohio licensure exam requirements when applying for the Ohio license on or after July 1, 2019. Please note that candidates seeking school audiologist, school psychologist or school speech-language pathologist licensure may still use the Praxis exam.

Primary (PreK-5) Licensure

• Candidates completing an Ohio approved Primary licensure program or pathway who pass both the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) 018 and 019 Elementary Education exams prior to July 24, 2023: Passing scores for both exams taken prior to July 24, 2023, will meet the content area assessment requirement for the initial Primary license through July 1, 2028. 
• Candidates completing an Ohio approved Primary licensure program or pathway who pass either of the  Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) 018 or 019 Elementary Education exams prior to July 24, 2023, and pass the remaining OAE 018 and 019 prior to December 31, 2023:  Passing scores for both exams will meet the content area assessment requirements for the initial Primary license through July 1, 2028. 
• All other candidates for the initial Primary license must take and pass the OAE 055 Primary Education exam (available July 24, 2023).

Note that all candidates must also meet professional knowledge and Foundations of Reading exam requirements for licensure.

Primary (PreK-5) Intervention Specialist Licensure

• Candidates completing an Ohio approved Primary Intervention Specialist licensure program or pathway who pass the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) 013 Early Childhood Special Education exam prior to July 24, 2023: Passing score for this exam taken prior to July 24, 2023, will meet the content area assessment requirement for the initial Primary Intervention Specialist license through July 1, 2028.
• All other candidates for the initial Primary Intervention Specialist license must take and pass the OAE 058 Primary Special Education exam (available July 24, 2023). 

Note that all candidates must also meet professional knowledge and Foundations of Reading exam requirements for licensure.

Last Modified: 8/1/2023 8:01:45 AM

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