Teacher certification exams: Praxis and state tests

Teacher certification exams in the US are set state by state. Many states use ETS’s Praxis tests, some use their own, and each state decides which exams you need and what score passes. Praxis Core tests cost $90 each or $150 combined, and most Subject Assessments cost $130 or $156, per ETS’s 2026-27 bulletin. This page is a national overview; check your state’s requirements.

Fees and fee waivers from ETS’s 2026-27 Praxis Information Bulletin. State-by-state details from third-party guides; confirm with your state education agency and ETS. Checked October 12, 2026.

The Praxis tests

• Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Taking all three as the combined test saves $120 against three separate tests. Often needed to enter a teacher preparation program.
• Praxis Subject Assessments: subject knowledge and teaching skills, $130 or $156 depending on the question types.
• Fee waivers: eligible college students can have up to three Core tests or one Subject Assessment waived, once per testing year, per ETS.
• Extra fees: ETS charges $35 to register by phone, plus fees for changes and extra score reports.

What varies by state

• Which tests you need: each state that uses Praxis requires its own combination, and some use their own exams instead or as well.
• Passing scores: each state sets its own; ETS publishes state requirements.
• SAT or ACT: some states accept a qualifying score in place of Praxis Core, per a teaching-profession site.
• Non-Praxis states: one guide says Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Michigan don’t use Praxis; check with the state.

Common questions