Licensure Testing Requirements (2024)

These test requirements are for candidates seeking initial or additional licensure or an endorsem*nt in a subject area. Educator licensure tests and qualifying scores listed in the following charts are subject to change by the State Board of Education of Ohio.

Introduction

The State Board of Education adopted examinations for licensure that are provided by:

• Evaluation Systems group of Pearson (Pearson)
• Educational Testing Service (ETS), and
• The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and Language Testing International (ACTFL/LTI).

Additionally, the Ohio Department of Higher Education has adopted the edTPA as a teacher performance-based assessment as a licensure examination. Successful completion of the required test(s) is designed to ensure that candidates for educator licensure have acquired the minimal knowledge necessary for entry-level positions.

Educator licensure tests provided by ACTFL/LTI are required of all modern world language candidates except for American Sign Language. These ACTFL/LTI assessments ensure the spoken and written language proficiency of candidates for licensure to teach languages. The American Sign Language test is provided by the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson.

The State Board of Education requires only ONE Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK) or edTPA be successfully completed in an educator’s career. However, new content or licensure areas require additional Pearson, ETS, or ACTFL/LTI subject tests to establish minimum competency in that subject area.

Any applicant interested in specific test requirements of an educator preparation program MUST contact the school, college, or department of education of an approved institution.

Any person holding licensure in another state and interested in obtaining Ohio licensure should contact the Office of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness, William Green Building, 30 W. Spring Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, (614) 466-3593 or (toll free) 855-983-4868. Email: educator.licensure@sboe.ohio.gov.

Exam Providers

• Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) are provided by Evaluation Systems group of Pearson. These assessments include Assessments of Professional Knowledge (OAE-APK) and content tests.
• Where specified, Praxis II subject assessments provided by Educational Testing Service are required.
• Tests in world languages are provided by ACTFL/LTI and include two components: the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI or OPIc) and the Writing Proficiency Test (WPT).
• The teacher performance assessment edTPA is provided by the Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, and Equity (SCALE).

Exam Registration Procedures

• Evaluation Systems group of Pearson (for OAEs): Online registration for computer-delivered tests is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. The option is available to register up to 24 hours before testing. Access the OAE website for information.
• Educational Testing Service (ETS): Praxis II content tests are required as indicated. Computer-delivered tests are available as specified. Review registration information on the ETS website.
• Registration for ACTFL/LTI tests is available on the LTI website.
• Registration for edTPA is available on the edTPA website.

When and Where Exams Are Administered

Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAEs)

All Pearson OAE assessments are computer-delivered. In Ohio, testing is available at Pearson Professional Centers or educator preparation program sites. Out-of-state centers are also available. Many of the OAE assessments have an option for online proctoring that permits testing remotely, including at home. Check the OAE website for more information regarding this option.

edTPA

The edTPA is delivered in conjunction with a college or university teacher preparation program. Contact a college or university education department for more information about when to prepare and submit an edTPA portfolio for national scoring. The State Board of Education of Ohio accepts edTPA results for nationally scored edTPA. Locallyscored edTPA portfolios are not accepted by the State Board of Education of Ohio at this time. See theedTPA website for more information.

Praxis

ETS Praxis II computer-delivered tests are given at designated sites. An at-home testing option using ProctorU is offered for some Praxis tests. Check the Praxis website for more registration information, including this at-home testing option.

ACTFL/LTI

ACTFL/LTI language tests are administered at a date and time agreed upon between the examinee and LTI. The Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) is a live, 15 to 30-minute telephonic interview. The Oral Proficiency Interview computer (OPIc) is an internet or phone-delivered proficiency test. The Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) is delivered via the internet. The specific administration options for each assessment are described in more detail on the LTI website.

Reporting Test Scores for Out-of-State Applicants

Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAEs)

Out-of-state applicants are responsible for accessing their account and clicking on the link “Request a Copy of Your Test Results.” The individual uses this link to request an additional score report which then accompanies his/her application for licensure. There is a fee associated with this request. Assessment results for candidates taking the OAE assessments are reported to the State Board of Education of Ohio regardless of whether they are in-state or out-of-state candidates.

edTPA

Assessment results for candidates completing edTPA are only reported to the State Board of Education of Ohio if the candidate makes that request during the registration process or requests a copy of their score profile after receiving their scores.

During the registration process, candidates may select up to three (3) state agencies to receive their score reports. If the out-of-state applicant did not select the State Board of Education of Ohio during the registration, they are responsible for requesting a copy of their score profileand submitting it with their licensure application. Note there is a fee associated with this request.

ACTFL/LTI

Individuals who have completed the LTI OPI or WPT in another state will need to arrange for test results to be electronically reported to the State Board ofEducation of Ohio. In order to do this, email: processing@languagetesting.com and ask for a Request for an Official Certificate form, which can then be sent via email, fax or mail. An additional fee is required to obtain a certified copy. The amount of the fee is available on the LTI website. Payment should be included when the form is submitted.

Praxis

Out-of-state applicants are responsible for authorizing ETS to release Praxis test results to the State Board of Education of Ohio (recipient number 7945).

Score Reporting Procedure for In-State Applicants

In-state applicants are responsible for authorizing testing companies to release test results to the college or university where the applicant is enrolled.

Procedures for Retaking Failed Exams

A candidate for licensure may retake any or all required tests. Access the Pearson, ETS, edTPA and ACTFL/LTI websites for details regarding the retest policies of each test provider.

Exam Accommodations

All accommodations for extra time or special needs are determined by the test providers.

• For OAE Pearson test accommodations see the OAE website.
• For edTPA accommodations see the edTPA website.
• For ACTFL/LTI test accommodations policy see the ACTFL/LTI website.
• For Praxis test accommodations see the Praxis website.

edTPA Chart