In order to be eligible for Alabama teacher certification, the Alabama State Department of Education requires students in undergraduate and Alternative Master's teacher education programs to complete a series of tests. These tests evaluate students' mastery of content knowledge in a specific certification area (Praxis Subject Assessments); and readiness to teach (Educative Teacher Performance Assessment ( edTPA)). These tests are taken at different points throughout the UAB Teacher Education Program. Please consult the guide below to confirm when the tests should be taken.
Praxis Subject Assessments
About the Praxis Subject Assessments
In order to receive teacher certification from the Alabama State Department of Education, undergraduate and Alternative Master's students must receive a passing score on the Praxis Subject Assessment in their given certification area. Praxis Subject Assessments are administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).
When do I take this test?
Undergraduate students must receive a passing score as defined by the Alabama State Department of Education on the Praxis Subject Assessment(s) in their given certification area prior to starting student teaching.
* Students pursuing certification in Elementary/Early Childhood are also required to pass the Praxis Teaching Reading prior to beginning student teaching.
Alternative Masters’ students must receive a passing score as defined by the Alabama State Department of Education on the Praxis Subject Assessments(s) in their given certification area prior to beginning coursework.
* Students pursuing certification in Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education are required to pass the Praxis Teaching Reading prior to beginning student teaching.
What is a Passing Score?
Qualifying score requirements can be found on the ETS website. To locate the qualifying score for your certification area, follow the steps below.
- Navigate to https://www.ets.org/praxis/al/al_teacher_ed/
- Scroll to the bottom of the page to the section titled Tests Required for Specific Certification Areas
- Select your certification area and look under the column titled Qualifying Score
Study Resources
Visit the ETS website for information about Praxis study resources.
Register for the Praxis Subject Assessment(s)
Educative Performance Assessment (edTPA)
About the Educative Performance Assessment (edTPA)
edTPA is a pre-service assessment process designed by educators that includes a review of a teacher candidate’s authentic teaching materials as the culmination of a teaching and learning process that documents and demonstrates each candidate’s ability to effectively teach his/her subject matter to all students. Candidates must receive a passing score on the assessment as defined by the Alabama State Department of Education.
When do I take this test?
Undergraduate students must receive a passing score on the edTPA as defined by the Alabama State Department of Education during student teaching.
Alternative Master's students must receive a passing score as defined by the Alabama State Department of Education during student teaching.