Testing and Certification

Licensure Testing

Teacher candidates are required to take a licensure test from the state where they seek licensure prior to the start of the semester before residency. Please designate URI as a score recipient with code 3919 when registering for Praxis. When they receive their official scores, candidates should submit the results to the COEDU database AND their advisor. URI College of Education teacher candidates will not be required to pass the licensure exams prior to residency or graduation. Teacher candidates should see their advisors with questions.

To be in compliance with the licensure testing requirements of the URI College of Education, teacher candidates will:

  • Research licensure testing in the state where they plan to live and work after graduation. The best place to find licensure information is on the Department of Education’s website of the state where they plan to pursue licensure. General teacher licensure websites, such as Teach.com and ETS.org, also include testing requirements for many states.
  • Take the licensure test required for licensure in their certification area (please designate URI as a score report recipient with the code 3919)
  • Submit the test results to the COEDU database AND their faculty advisor prior to the start of the semester before residency (final deadline is September 20).
  • Meet with their faculty advisor for advice regarding licensure testing, teacher certification, and resources if they have not met all licensure testing requirements in the semester prior to residency.

The College of Education’s testing requirement is for advising and support only. Failing to submit a passing licensure test will not delay residency and/or graduation.

A NOTE ON LICENSURE: Please note that individuals seeking state licensure will need to complete ALL certification requirements prior to certification, including meeting all licensure testing requirements. All states have multiple requirements for teacher licensure, often including (1) the completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program, (2) specific licensure tests, and (3) other requirements. In completing a teacher preparation program at URI, teacher candidates will have met the requirement of completing a state-approved teacher preparation program (requirement 1). Teacher candidates will need to complete all state requirements for licensure, including licensure testing, prior to certification in any state.

Licensure Testing Resources