For applicants for an initial professional teacher certificate requiring a bachelor's degree, the examinations validated for use in this program are the Core Academic Skills for Educators, PRAXIS II, and Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) unless waived. The Core Academic Skills for Educators program has three major components which test the applicant in three basic skill areas: reading, writing, and mathematics.
The Educational Testing Service schedules the Core Academic Skills for Educators, PRAXIS II and Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) at sites across Maine and the nation. The applicant registers for the examinations directly with the Educational Testing Service.
Applicants for initial professional teacher certification requiring a bachelor's degree must achieve the qualifying scores on the qualifying examinations as set forth below, if the examination is required in Chapter 115 Part II.
Reading Test #5712 156
Writing Test #5722 162
Mathematics Test #5732 150
Applicants for initial professional teacher certification must achieve a composite score of 468 on the three sections of the Core Academic Skills for Educators, with no single score on any section being more than three points lower than the required score above.
*Applicants for certificates requiring bachelor's degrees may use passing scores on either the Pre-Professional Skills Test/PPST or the Core Academic Skills for Educators until 8-31-18. As of 9-1-18, all applicants must meet passing scores on the Core Academic Skills for Educators exams.
End./Cert. Code | Endorsement or Certificate | Grade Level | PRAXIS II TEST Code | PRAXIS II | Minimum Score |
081 | Early Childhood Teacher | Birth to Age 5 | 5024***** | Educ. of Young Children | 160***** |
020 | General Elementary | K-8 | 5001*** (comprised of 5002,5003,5004, and 5005 | Elem. School: CK Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects | 5001***: 5002-157 5003-157 5004-155 5005-159 |
029 | Early Elementary | K-3 | 5024 | Educ. Of Young Children | 160 |
071 | Library/Media Specialist | K-12 | 5311 | Library/Media Specialist | 143 |
075 | Guidance Counselor | K-12 | 5421 | Professional School Counselor | 156 |
092 | Literacy Specialist | K-12 | 5301 | Reading Specialist | 164 |
100 | Secondary English | 7-12 | 5038 | English/Language Arts: Content Knowledge | 167 |
100 | Middle English | 5-8 | 5047 | Middle School English/Language Arts | 164 |
200 | Secondary Social Studies | 7-12 | 5081 | Social Studies: CK | 157 |
200 | Middle Social Studies | 5-8 | 0089 | Middle Social Studies | 153 |
282 | Teacher Disabled Children | Birth to Age 5 | 5691 | Special Education; Preschool/Early Childhood | 159 |
282 | Teacher Disabled Children | K-12 | 5354 | Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications | 151 |
286 | Students w/ Severe Disabilities | K-12 | 5545***** | Special Education: Core Knowledge and Severe to Profound Applications | 158 |
291 | Blind/Visually Impaired | K-12 | 5282 | Special Education: Visual Impairments | 163 |
292 | Deaf/Hearing Impaired | K-12 | 5272 | Special Education: Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students | 160 |
293 | Speech & Hearing Clinician | b-12 | 5881 | Teaching Speech to Students w/Language Impairments | 152 |
300 | Secondary Mathematics | 7-12 | 5161 | Mathematics: CK | 160 |
300 | Middle Mathematics | 5-8 | 5169 | Middle School Mathematics | 165 |
340 | Middle Science | 5-8 | 5440 | Middle School Science | 150 |
350 | Secondary Physical Science | 7-12 | 5245 Or 5265 Or 5435 | Chemistry: CK Or Physics: CK Or General Science: CK | 151 141 153 |
395 | Secondary Life Science | 7-12 | 5235 | Biology: CK | 150 |
410 | Latin | K-12 | 5601 | Latin | 152 |
420 | French | K-12 | 5174* | French: World Language | 162 |
430 | German | K-12 | 5183 | German: World Language | 163 |
440 | Spanish | K-12 | 5195 * | Spanish: World Language | 168 |
470 | Chinese | K-12 | 5665 | Chinese (Mandarin): World Language | 164 |
510 | Physical Education | K-12 | 5091 | Physical Education: CK | 149 |
520 | Health | K-12 | 0551/5551 | Health Education | 156 |
614 | Music | K-12 | 5133* | Music: CK | 151 |
620 | Visual Arts | K-12 | 5134 | Art: CK | 158 |
625 | Theater | K-12 | 5641 | Theatre | 146 |
640 | Business Education | K-12 | 5101 | Business Education | 154 |
660 | ESL | K-12 | 5362 | English to Speakers of Other Languages | 144 |
670 | Family & Consumer Science | K-12 | 5122***** | Family & Consumer Science | 153 |
690 | Gifted & Talented | K-12 | 5358 | Gifted Education | 157 |
700 | Industrial Arts | K-12 | 5051 | Technology Education | 159 |
***** Applicants for #081 Early Childhood (0-5) and #029 Early Elementary (K-3) may meet a passing score on either PRAXIS II Test Code 0021 or PRAXIS II Test Code 5024 until 8-31-19. As of 9-1-19, all applicants must meet a passing score on test 5024.
***** Applicants for #286 Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (K-12) may meet a passing score on either PRAXIS II Test Code 0321 or PRAXIS II Test Code 5545 until 8-31-19. As of 9-1-19, all applicants must meet a passing score on test 5545.
***** Applicants for #670 Family and Consumer Science (K-12) may meet a passing score on either PRAXIS II Test Code 0121 or PRAXIS II Test Code 5122 until 8-31-19. As of 9-1-19, all applicants must meet a passing score on test 5122.
Endorsement or Certificate Grade Level | Principles of Learning & Teaching Test Code | Minimum Score |
Early Childhood-3 | 5621 | 157 |
K-8 | 5622 | 160 |
5-8 | 5623 | 160 |
7-12 | 5624 | 157 |
K-12 | 5622 or 5624 | 5622: 160 or 5624: 157 |
9-12 | 5624 | 157 |
Applicants for initial teacher or educational specialist certification will not be required to take a PRAXIS II examination if the appropriate examination is not available.
Applicants who have not achieved Maine's qualifying scores on the required Core Academic Skills for Educators are eligible for an initial conditional certificate provided they have met all other requirements for the certificate or endorsement in accordance with Chapter 115 Part I and Chapter 115 Part II.
A certificate issued under this subsection may not be suspended or revoked by the Commissioner due to the holder's failure to attain qualifying scores during the term of the initial conditional certificate.
Individuals with disabilities that prevent them from taking the examination(s) under standard conditions may request special accommodations directly through the Educational Testing Service. The documentation requirements and accommodation request procedures are described in the registration bulletin for the specific examinations.
Applicants receiving an initial teacher of deaf or hearing impaired student endorsement under Chapter 115 Part II Section 2.2 will not be required to take the Core Academic Skills for Educators, PRAXIS II content area assessment or the Principles of Learning and Teaching examination, if they meet the following criteria:
Applicants holding a current teaching certificate from another state who are seeking a teaching certificate in the same endorsement area will not be required to take the Core Academic Skills for Educators or Principles of Learning and Teaching examinations.
Applicants holding a current educational specialist certificate from another state who are seeking a certificate in the same area will not be required to take the Principles of Learning and Teaching examination.
05- 071 C.M.R. ch. 13, § 3