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Praxis Exam Requirements FAQ

The following information pertains to 2004-05 Praxis Series Exams Required For Teacher Licensure in Tennessee. Tests are subject to change every September 1. Applicants should call the Office of Teacher Licensing at (615) 532-4885 prior to signing up for any test regarding any other questions.

1. Who must take the Praxis Series Exams?
Applicants for initial teaching licenses are required to pass the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) portion of the Praxis Series Exams and the designated specialty area exam(s) required for the endorsement area(s) requested. If adding a new endorsement area to an existing full Tennessee license, only the specialty area exam(s) required for that area must be taken to obtain the additional endorsement.
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2. What are the Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT) Exams required in Tennessee?

All applicants seeking initial Teacher licensure who do not meet exemption criteria are required to complete one of the following PLT Exams:

  1. Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) K-4, test number 30521, with a passing score of 155
    OR
  2. Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) K-6, test number 30522, with a passing score of 155
    OR
  3. Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) 5-9, test number 30523, with a passing score of 154
    OR
  4. Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) 7-12, test number 30524, with a passing score of 159

In addition to the PLT, passing score(s) are needed on the required Specialty Area Exam(s) for each area of endorsement sought. [See list of Praxis Exams Specialty exams for details.]

Note:  Periodically there are specialty area exam(s) for which no minimum score is required. This means that the exam(s) must be taken, but there is no specific passing score(s).
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3. Which Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT) Exam should be taken?
Candidates seeking licensure in Early Childhood Education  PreK-3 and PreK-4 or Early Childhood Special Education PreK-1 must take the PLT P-4 exam (code 0521). Candidates seeking licensure in Elementary Education K-6 must take the PLT K-6 exam (code 0522) or K-8 may choose either the PLT K-6 exam (code 0522) or the PLT 5-9 exam (code 0523). Candidates seeking licensure in Middle Grades 4-8 and 5-8 must take the PLT 5-9 exam (code 0523). Candidates seeking licensure in secondary education areas must take the PLT 7-12 exam (code 0524). Candidates seeking licensure in K-12 or PreK-12 endorsement areas may choose any of the PLT exams, either the PLT P-4 (code 0521), PLT K-6 (code 0522), PLT 5-9 (code 0523), or the PLT 7-12 (code 0524).
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4. Are there any exemptions from the Principles of Learning & Teaching Exams?
Exemptions from the PLT and Specialty Area Exams are granted to individuals seeking initial licensure who were fully licensed/certified in any state prior to July 1, 1984. To show proof of this exemption, one must provide a copy of a full license from any state that reflects an issue date prior to July 1, 1984. Effective March 1, 2001, out-of-state applicants seeking initial Tennessee licensure who meet reciprocal guidelines may not be required to take the Praxis Exams. Prior to signing up for exams, out-of-state applicants can submit a full, valid license from a reciprocal state to the Office of Teacher Licensing for review along with all other required documentation. After reviewing all material, the Office of Teacher Licensing will determine if any exams are needed and send notification thereof.
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5. Are there any candidates who are only required to take the Specialty Area Exams and not the Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT) exams?

Candidates for licensure in the following areas are required to complete the appropriate specialty area exam only : School Counselor PreK-12, School Psychologist PreK-12, School Social Worker PreK-12 and Speech/Language Pathology PreK-12. These candidates will not be required to take the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exams.
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6. Candidates adding a second science endorsement to an existing license:
Candidates who have already completed all praxis exams specified for one science area, including Earth Science and General Science, will be required to take only the content knowledge exam for endorsement in an additional science area.
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7. Candidates adding a Special Education endorsement to an existing license:

Candidtates who are adding an endorsement in Special Education to a license that has an existing Special Education endorsement need to take only the specialty area test for the Special Education area. They are not required to take Education of Exceptional Students: Core Content Knowledge (code 0353).  Candidates adding endorsements Special Education Modified and Special Education Comprehensive to a license with an existing Special Education endorsment are not required to take the core test.

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