Educator Tests

Overview

To earn an educator license or endorsement in Utah, you may need to complete specific testing requirements. Testing rules vary based on your specific license area.

Exams generally fall into two categories:

Required Exams

Some license areas require candidates enrolled in a Utah Educator Preparation Program to pass a specific exam to qualify for a professional license. For example, if you are pursuing a license in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, or Special Education, you must take and pass the Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment (UFORA). Visit the Utah Tests and UFORA tabs for more information. 

Optional Exams

For other license areas or content endorsements, taking a test is optional. In these cases, you can choose to take an exam to demonstrate minimum competency when applying for a specific license area or content endorsement. Visit the Optional Exams tab for more information.  

🛑 Policy Change: Pedagogical Performance Assessment (PPA)

Effective June 10, 2024: There is no longer a Pedagogical Performance Assessment (PPA) requirement for Utah teacher preparation programs. You do not need to take or submit a PPA to earn your license.

Utah Required Tests

If you complete a Utah Educator Preparation Program (EPP) in the following license areas, you must pass the specific exam listed below to qualify for a professional license.

License Area Required Exam Minimum Passing Score
Early Childhood Education Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment (UFORA) 240
Elementary Education Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment (UFORA) 240
Special Education Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment (UFORA) 240
School Leadership

Praxis 5412 Educational Leadership and Supervision

OR

Praxis 6990 School Leaders Licensure Assessment 

146

 

151
School Counselor Praxis 5422 Professional School Counselor 153
School Psychologist Praxis 5403 School Psychologist

148

⚠️ Note for Teacher Candidates

Your university or Educator Preparation Program (EPP) sets its own graduation and completion requirements, which are often separate from state licensing rules.

Important: Your program may require you to pass specific exams to graduate. If you do not meet your program's individual requirements, they may not recommend you to the state for a Professional Educator License, even if you satisfy all other Utah state rules.

Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment (UFORA)

You must take and pass the Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment (UFORA) if you are earning a teaching license in any of these three areas:

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Special Education

This requirement applies to candidates enrolled in Utah-based educator preparation programs, including Alternate Pathway to Professional Educator Licensure (APPEL) programs.

Passing Scores and Retakes

  • Passing Score: You must earn a score of 240 or higher.
  • Retake Options: If you do not pass on your first attempt, you may access alternative UFORA Assessment Options to fulfill the requirement.

Registration and Vouchers

If you are currently enrolled in a Utah-based Educator Preparation Program (EPP), you are eligible for a test voucher to cover the exam fee.

  1. Get Your Voucher: Contact your faculty advisor to receive your test voucher before registering. If you have questions about your eligibility, resolve them with your advisor before proceeding.
  2. Register for the Exam: Enter code at checkout.

Important Note on Vouchers: Vouchers cannot be applied retroactively to existing registrations. You must secure and enter your voucher code before completing your registration, or you will be responsible for the exam costs.

Utah Foundations of Reading
Pearson Education, Inc.

Optional Tests

Utah State Licensure Test Options lists optional ways to demonstrate minimum competency when applying or a specific license area or content endorsement.

  • Competency by Assessment: You do not have to pass these exams to receive your license. You can choose to prove your content mastery through other approved methods, such as specific university coursework or state micro-credentials.
  • State vs. University Program Rules: Passing an exam to demonstrate competency satisfies Utah state licensing rules only.

Out-of-State Equivalency

If you completed educator testing outside of Utah, you may not need to retake those exams to apply for a new license area or endorsement.

Check the official Out-of-State Testing Equivalency document to confirm if a test you took in another state meets Utah's current licensing or endorsement requirements.

⚠️ Note for Teacher Candidates

Your university or Educator Preparation Program (EPP) sets its own graduation and completion requirements, which are often separate from state licensing rules.

Important: Your program may require you to pass specific exams to graduate. If you do not meet your program's individual requirements, they may not recommend you to the state for a Professional Educator License, even if you satisfy all other Utah state rules.

What you should do: Talk directly with your faculty advisor or program coordinator to verify your specific program requirements before choosing to take an optional test.

Reporting Your Test Scores to USBE

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) must receive your official exam results to update your licensing records. How your scores are reported depends on the choice you made during test registration.

Automatic Electronic Reporting (Recommended)

If you selected USBE as a score recipient when you registered for your Pearson or ETS exam:

  • Your results will automatically upload to the USBE system.
  • Process timing: This automatic transfer takes up to 15 business days from the date your scores are released.

Manual Score Reporting

If you did not request automatic reporting when you registered for your exam, you must submit your scores manually.

  • Locate your score email: Find the official score notification email sent to you by ETS or Pearson.
  • Gather your credentials: Locate your Comprehensive Administration of Credentials for Teachers in Utah Schools (CACTUS) identification number.
  • Email the licensing department: Forward the official score email to licensing@schools.utah.gov. You must include your CACTUS ID number in the body of the email so staff can locate your file.