Instructional Leadership, emphasis: K-12 School Leadership (MEd)
Picture of the College of Education building from the outside.
  1. NAU
  2. COE
  3. Student experience
  4. Arizona teacher licensure exams

Arizona teacher licensure exams

N A U student smiles while working on their laptop.

What is the AEPA/NES exam?

The Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA) is a series of tests that determine an individual’s competency for employment in the Arizona public school system. Passing scores on the National Evaluation Series (NES) tests are used to attain certifications or endorsements from the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). The ADE provides information on Arizona educator exams, exam preparation, and testing requirements.

Information and preparation resources

This page offers information and resources on preparing for your teacher licensure exams both in and outside of Arizona.

Which licensure exam(s) do you need to take?

To teach in Arizona:

Professional Knowledge

  • Aligns with InTASC standards and methods coursework.

Subject Knowledge

  • Aligns with discipline to standards.
  • Subject Knowledge exams are optional for some degree programs/teacher certification areas.

Foundations of Reading (literacy exam)

  • Required by all new kindergarten through grade five teachers by 2025.

When should you take the licensure exam(s)?

Professional Knowledge and Foundations of Reading:

  • It’s recommended that students take Professional Knowledge licensure exam(s) right before their student teaching semester or during student teaching.

Subject Knowledge:

  • Subject knowledge can be taken once content knowledge coursework is completed.

Plan Ahead:

  • It takes approximately four weeks to get Professional Knowledge exam results due to scoring handwritten scenario items.

 

 

Two students sitting at a table, one of the students is writing on a paper.

Preparation resources

Professional Knowledge Exam items are connected to the InTASC model core teaching standards.

1. Download the InTASC model core teaching standards.

2. Connect each of the 10 Standards to content from the methods classes you have or will take.

 

 

 

N A U students writing on a white board.

AEPA Preparation resources

Go to the Pearson AEPA website and view all available preparation materials.

 

 

 

N A U student teacher helps child with project.

NES comprehensive study guide

  • If you are interested in purchasing test preparation materials, we recommend the NES comprehensive study guide for the exam(s) you will be taking (costs range from $25-$35).
  • Full-length NES practice exams are also available for purchase, but be aware that the items on the practice tests will NOT appear on the actual test (costs range from $17.50-$30).
  • AVOID purchasing preparation materials from other vendors.

 

Go to the AEPA Prepare page to purchase NES Practice test.

 

 

NAU student, Jazmyn Gardner working on their computer.

Free COE test preparation resources

  • NAU also offers self-paced web courses to assist students, alumni, and the community with preparing for the following AEPA/NES licensure exams:
    • NES Professional Knowledge: Elementary
    • NES Professional Knowledge: Secondary
    • NES Elementary Subject Knowledge Tests I and II
    • NES Special Education: Mild/Moderate Subject Knowledge Test
Register as a student
Register as an alumni

Subject Knowledge Exam

The Subject Knowledge Exam items are directly connected to discipline standards.

Example: Elementary subject knowledge aligned with K–5 discipline standards.

Example: Physical education testing is aligned with K–12 discipline standards.

 

Registration steps

  1. Go to the AEPA website.
  2. Select the “my account” tab and create an account.
  3. Make sure to choose NAU as your reporting school.
  4. Locate a testing center

Remember to keep a copy of your exam results.

Student teaching

Student Teaching Intern Certificate (STIC)

Licensure exam requirements include a passing score on the required Arizona Professional Knowledge and the subject knowledge exam(s) that correspond to the teaching certificate the applicant is pursuing.

 

Out of state

Planning to teach out-of-state after graduation?

Resources

 

Please note that AEPA tests were specifically developed for Arizona and may or may not be accepted by other states. Check out-of-state licensure exam rules in advance.

Which states accept the NES test for certification?

Not all states accept NES certification. Additionally, each state that does accept NES has varying standards for certification. It is important to check the specific state’s NES testing requirements, including what role and conditions require the certification. The following states currently accept NES test scores for certification: Arizona, California, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.

 

Planning on teaching in a state that requires Praxis instead of NES? Check out the varying state requirements.

Resources to help you prepare for the NES® and AEPA® teacher licensure exams

Exam registration