Arizona educator certification tests

The Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) tests determine an individual’s competency for employment in the Arizona public school system. Candidates must receive passing score(s) on the National Evaluation Series (NES) tests to attain certifications or endorsements from the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). The ADE Educator Certification Department’s website has information about these exams as well as a link to the AEPA/NES test publisher site, which includes practice tests, videos, and study guides (see Educator Certification: Testing Information).

Each exam is 100% computer based. Most exams are multiple choice (anywhere from 100-150 questions). Some exams include multiple choice questions and a written response section.

• The Student Teacher Intern Certificate (STIC) is a student teaching placement in which you are hired as the teacher of record by a school/district. These placements have additional application requirements (for more information, see our Student teaching resources page. In terms of AEPA/NES exams, these placements require the following:
• A passing score on the subject knowledge test(s) of the Arizona Teacher Proficiency Assessment that corresponds to the teaching certificate that the student teaching intern is pursuing;
• A passing score on the professional knowledge test of the Arizona Teacher Proficiency Assessment that corresponds to the teaching certificate that the student teaching intern is pursuing.

• Undergraduate Elementary Education majors planning to student teach in a single-subject middle school classroom are REQUIRED to pass the appropriate middle grades licensure exam:
• Middle Grades English Language Arts (NT201)
• Middle Grades General Science (NT204)
• Middle Grades Mathematics (NT203)
• Middle Grades Social Science (NT202)

NAU requires a passing score on the appropriate Professional Knowledge exam to pursue a teacher preparation program through an alternative pathway. For more information regarding the degree programs that NAU offers through TIPP or an alternative pathway, see COE’s Teacher Intern Preparation Program.

The NES Professional Knowledge exams are required for AZ teacher certification. We recommend completing the required Professional Knowledge exam(s) associated with the teacher certification you are pursuing prior to student teaching or during the student teaching semester. Subject knowledge can be taken once content knowledge coursework is completed.

• Register online (Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments)
• Locate a test center
• REMINDER: When registering for the licensure exam(s), please select NAU to receive a copy of your licensure exam results. NAU ONLY uses these results for program evaluation and improvement. The reporting of your results to NAU does NOT impact your academic progression towards completing degree program requirements.

• The passing score is 220 for NES exams.
• The passing score is 240 for AEPA exams.

 
Note: To learn more about what these scaled scores mean, see Passing Requirements (nesinc.com).

• You can repeat the exam after 30 days. You will need to pay the exam fee the first two times you retake the exam. After you have taken the exam three times, your exam fee is waived for all additional retakes.
• You may take it an unlimited number of times.

• Your final diagnostic score reports will be available through the online registration system.
• You may also choose during registration to have your score report emailed to you.
• Plan Ahead! It takes approximately 4 weeks to get Professional Knowledge exam results due to scoring handwritten scenario items.

• Preparation materials are available for all AEPA/NES exams through Pearson and include an interactive online study guide, full-length practice test, test framework, and testing tips, see: Preparation Materials.

• Licensure exam costs vary and can range from $50 to $150. The cost for each licensure exam is listed on the Arizona Educator Proficiency Exam web page that provides a description of the exam (see Arizona Educator Exams and click on the name of an exam).
• Arizona Residents: Candidates who are Arizona residents and enrolled in an educator preparation program are eligible to receive a one-time fee waiver to take the Foundations of Reading (SA190) exam. You must have a valid Arizona mailing address (AZ P.O. Boxes are eligible) to qualify for this state-funded assessment fee waiver. The fee waiver will be automatically applied toward your assessment fee during the online registration process.
• ATA Participants ONLY: ATA will cover the cost of required licensure exams. Watch your NAU email for notification on how to request vouchers to pay for the exams. Voucher request emails are sent quarterly (every three months) to current ATA participants, student teachers, and recent graduates. ATA participants are emailed a personalized link to request the vouchers for only the tests they have been approved for. Do not share this link with others. Instead, have them contact the PEP office. To be eligible, you need to have been an ATA at NAU participant in Fall 2021 or later. Email PEPAdministration@nau.edu for more information. NOTE: Unfortunately, ATA is not able to reimburse for licensure exams that have already been paid for or taken.

BSED Elementary Education and MED Elementary Education with Certification:
• NES Professional Knowledge: Elementary (NT051) (REQUIRED)
• NES Foundations of Reading (SA190) (RECOMMENDED/REQUIRED by 2025)
• NES Subject Knowledge: Elementary Sub-Test I (NT102) (OPTIONAL)
• NES Subject Knowledge: Elementary Sub-Test II (NT103) (OPTIONAL)
• One of the following NES Subject Knowledge exams is REQUIRED if seeking Middle Grades student teaching placement OR Middle Grades teaching position:
  • Middle Grades English Language Arts (NT201)
  • Middle Grades General Science (NT204)
  • Middle Grades Mathematics (NT203)
  • Middle Grades Social Science (NT202)

BSED Elementary Education with Early Childhood Endorsement
• NES Professional Knowledge: Elementary (NT051) (REQUIRED)
• AEPA Subject Knowledge: Early Childhood Education (AZ036) (REQUIRED)
• NES Foundations of Reading (SA190) (RECOMMENDED/REQUIRED by 2025)