Oregon Teacher Licensure Requirements

Oregon Teacher Licensure Testing Requirements**

Program

Test

When Required

ECE/Elem

NES Elementary Education - Both subtests are required

  • Subtest I: Reading, English language arts, social studies
  • Subtest II: Mathematics, science, the arts, health and fitness 
Prior to program completion
ORELA Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment Prior to student teaching (waived for the 2020-2021 academic year)
EdTPA Elementary Literacy with Mathematics Task 4 Prior to program completion (completed during student teaching)

Elem/MS

NES Elementary Education - Both subtests are required

  • Subtest I: Reading, English language arts, social studies
  • Subtest II: Mathematics, science, the arts, health and fitness 

Prior to program completion

Middle Grades Examination - Candidates can choose from any of the following:

  • Middle Grades English/Language Arts
  • Middle Grades General Science
  • Middle Grades Social Science
  • Middle Grades Mathematics

Alternately, candidates may choose to complete a secondary level subject matter exam.

Prior to student teaching
ORELA Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment Prior to student teaching (waived for the 2020-2021 academic year)
EdTPA Elementary Literacy with Mathematics Task 4 Prior to program completion (completed during student teaching)

MS/HS

Subject Matter Examination - ORELA or Praxis Prior to student teaching
ORELA Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment Prior to student teaching (waived for the 2020-2021 academic year)
EdTPA Subject Matter Examination Prior to program completion (completed during student teaching)

Minimum Passing Scores for Oregon Licensure

EdTPA

  • Business Education - 35
  • Elementary Literacy (with Mathematics Task 4) - 42
  • Health Education - 35
  • K-12 Performing Arts - 35
  • Physical Education - 35
  • Secondary English Language Arts - 35
  • Secondary History/Social Studies - 35
  • Secondary Mathematics - 35
  • Secondary Science - 35
  • Special Education: Generalist - 35
  • World Language - 29
  • Visual Arts - 35

NES Elementary Education Examination

  • Subtest I: Reading, English Language Arts, Social Studies - 220
  • Subtest II: Mathematics, Science, The Arts, Health and Fitness - 220

Middle Level Tests

  • Middle Grades English Language Arts - 220
  • Middle Grades General Science - 220
  • Middle Grades Social Science - 220

Middle level tests for language arts, science, and social studies are only valid to teach at the middle school level.

Middle Level Basic Math Endorsement

  • Middle Grades Mathematics (Basic Math) - 220

The Basic Math endorsement is valid to teach any course in middle school or high school at or below Algebra I including Remedial Math; Mathematics; Basic Math; Math Concepts (grades 6-8); Pre-Algebra; Introductory Algebra; Basic Algebra; Algebra I; Competency Mathematics; Consumer Mathematics; General Math I & II; Mathematics Fundamentals; Math Lab; Middle Mathematics Skills; Problem Solving; and other math-related courses at or below the Algebra I level.

Subject Matter Examinations

  • Art - 220
  • Biology - 220
    Note: Valid to teach Biology; Agriculture; Animal Systems; Chemistry; Life Science; Natural Resources; Plant Systems; and Zoology and other specialized courses.
  • Business Education - 220
  • Chemistry - 220
    Note: Valid to teach Chemistry; Integrated Science; Life & Physical Sciences; Physics; Technical Science and other specialized courses.
  • Chinese (Mandarin) - 220
  • English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) - 220
  • French - 220
  • German - 220
  • Health - 220
    Note: Valid to teach Health Education; Advanced Health; Food and Fitness; Drug Education; Health Promotion; Health and Wellness Education; Individual Health Projects; Chemical and Substance Abuse Education; Family Living, and other health-related courses or activities.
  • Integrated Science (General Science) - 220
    Valid to teach agriculture; Astronomy; General Biology; Botany; General Chemistry; Earth Science; Integrated Science; Life & Physical Science; Natural Resources; General Physics and other specialized courses.
  • Language Arts/English Language Arts - 220
  • * Marketing 
  • Mathematics, Advanced - 220
    Valid to teach Advanced Algebra; Trigonometry; Pre-Calculus; Calculus; Statistics & Probability; Geometry; Survey Geometry; Trigonometry Analysis; and Other math-related courses. Required to teach above the Algebra I level.
  • Mathematics, Basic - 220
    Valid to teach any course in middle school or high school at or below Algebra I including Remedial Math; Mathematics; Basic Math; Math Concepts (grades 6-8); Pre-Algebra; Introductory Algebra; Basic Algebra; Algebra I; Competency Mathematics; Consumer Mathematics; General Math I & II; Mathematics Fundamentals; Math Lab; Middle Mathematics Skills; Problem Solving, and other math-related courses at or below the Algebra I level.
  • Music - 220
  • Physical Education - 220
    Valid to teach games and sports skills; Gymnastics; Movement; Personal & Social Development; Physical Fitness and Body Development; Rhythms; Adaptive motor skills, and athletic training.
  • Physics - 220
    Valid to teach Astronomy; Chemistry; Integrated Science, Life & Physical Sciences; Meteorology, Physics, Robotics, Technical Science and other specialized courses.
  • * Reading Specialist
  • Social Science - 220
  • Spanish - 220
  • Special Education - 220

Subject Endorsements

  • Marketing, Marketing Education Test No. 10561 - 163
  • Reading Specialist, Test No. 0301 - 164

Subjects for Which No NES Exam is Required

A transcript evaluation is required to qualify for admission into one of these endorsement programs. In addition, to be recommended for an endorsement in either Japanese or Russian, candidates must achieve a score of Advanced Mid or higher on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview and the Writing Proficiency Test.

  • Drama
  • Japanese (see above for ACTFL testing requirements)
  • Russian (see above for ACTFL testing requirements)

ORELA Civil Rights

Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment Examination - 240

* These tests are currently being offered as part of the Praxis II series through ETS. You can obtain information about test dates, locations, and online registration from Praxis.

** The Pacific University College of Education has made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained on this page is accurate at the time of publication, but reserves the right to change the state-required testing requirements, regulations, policies or procedures. Although notice is not required for any change to take effect, the University will make reasonable attempts to timely notify students of any changes through web or email announcements, or other methods deemed appropriate by College administration. Students are responsible for understanding all testing requirements and making themselves aware of any changes. The information on this page, as well as any other regulations, polices, or procedures of the College, is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an agreement or contract between Pacific University and students, staff or faculty.

Mandatory Licensure Requirements Disclosure

The United States Department of Education delivered a final rule and in compliance with Federal Regulation, 34 CFR §668.43, the Pacific University College of Education School of Learning and Teaching (SLT) provides the above disclosure related to the educational requirements for professional licensure in teaching.

The determination of meeting the educational requirements for licensure does assume than an individual successfully completes the licensure program and is awarded an undergraduate or graduate degree. This determination is unrelated to state specific requirements that is outside of SLT's control.

This disclosure is only based off of the published requirements from the state of Oregon and is does not guarantee approval or denial of an application. This disclosure is based off of the information as of the date of the publication and does not account for any changes in state law or regulation. It is strongly encouraged to contact the State’s licensing entity to review licensure requirements by state. A list of the state requirements for the preliminary teaching license can be found on the Oregon Secretary of State’s Teaching Licenses webpage.

Pacific University College of Education’s Teacher Licensure Programs are accredited by the State of Oregon’s Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

Pacific University College of Education Teacher Licensure Programs meet the minimum educational standards for teacher licensure in Oregon. Completers of our teacher licensure programs may qualify for license/certificate reciprocity in other states by meeting individual state licensure requirements (i.e., background check, testing, etc.).

Pacific University College of Education has not determined if it meets the educational standards for other states/territories.

Professional Licensure General Disclosure
34 CFR § 668.43(a)(5)(v) and (c)

Pacific University provides this General Disclosure to students prior to enrollment or financial commitment. Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Education & Learning (Licensure track), the Bachelor of Education, the Bachelor of Music Education, or Master of Arts in Teaching programs has been compared to the educational requirements for licensure or certification required for employment in each State and US Territory. If the program does not meet, or we are unable to determine that the education program meets the educational requirements, we have provided contact information to the licensing board for that State or Territory.

Students are advised to determine, prior to enrollment, whether the program meets licensure requirements in the State or Territory in which the Student is located.

Pacific University determined the State or Territory in which a Student applicant is located as the physical address as noted on the enrollment application. For Student applicants who are members of any branch of the US Military, Pacific University determined the Student’s location is their legal residence.

Students must provide formal notification to Pacific University when the student’s legal residence has changed to another State or Territory and when the new State or Territory is listed on the table below and is noted as Does Not Meet or Unable to Determine.

State

Meets

Does Not Meet

Unable to Determine

Oregon

X

 

 

Alabama

X

 

 

Alaska

X

 

 

Arizona

 

X

Arizona Department of Education

602-542-4367

Educator Certification Email Contact Form

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to qualify for licensure in the state of Arizona. However, Arizona offers teaching certificate reciprocity to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state and is in good standing in that other state.

Arkansas

 

X

Arkansas Department of Education
Four Capitol Mall, Room 106B
Little Rock, AR 72201

Phone: 501-682-4342
Fax: 501-682-4898

Email: ade.educatorlicensure@ade.arkansas.gov

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of Arkansas. However, Arkansas offers licensure by reciprocity to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state and is in good standing in that other state (ancillary requirements may apply).

California

 

X

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Email: credentials@ctc.ca.gov

Live Chat: See the Contact the Certification Division webpage.

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of California. Individuals prepared at Pacific University (or outside of California) who have less than two years of out-of-state full-time teaching experience may qualify for a California teaching credential by documenting all of the following in their application packet:

  1. Baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.

  2. Basic Skills Requirement. Individuals may be issued a preliminary credential prior to satisfying the basic skills requirement but must meet the requirement within one year of their credential issue date.

  3. Comparable teaching credential earned in a state or U.S. Territory other than California based upon completion of a professional preparation program (or alternative program) in secondary education, including student teaching, taken at a regionally-accredited institution

Colorado

X

 

 

Connecticut

X

 

 

Delaware

 

X

Delaware Department of Education
Licensure & Certification
Collette Education Resource Center

35 Commerce Way, Suite 1
Dover, DE 19904

Phone: 302-857-3388

Contact the Delaware DOE

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of Delaware. However, Delaware offers licensure by reciprocity to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary requirements may apply).

District of Columbia

X

 

 

Florida

X

 

 

Georgia

X

 

 

Hawaii

X

 

 

Completers of programs outside of Hawaii may need to complete additional testing requirements listed in NBI 21-13 linked here.

Idaho

X

 

 

Illinois

X

 

 

Indiana

X

 

 

Iowa

X

 

 

Kansas

 

X

Kansas State Department of Education
Attention: Teacher Licensure

900 SW Jackson Street, Suite 102

Topeka, KS 66612-1212

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of Kansas. However, Kansas offers licensure by reciprocity to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary requirements may apply).

Kentucky

 

X

Education Professional Standards Board
300 Sower Blvd
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

Phone: 502-564-4604 / 888-598-7667

Email: KDElicensure@education.ky.gov

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of Kentucky. However, Kentucky may offer licensure by reciprocity to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary requirements may apply).

Louisiana

X

 

 

Maine

X

 

 

Maryland

 

X

Maryland State Department of Education

200 West Baltimore Street

Baltimore, MD 21201-2595

Phone: 410-767-0100

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of Maryland. However, Maryland does offer licensure by reciprocity to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary requirements may apply). Maryland requires that candidates complete additional testing (basic skills) and provide official transcripts.

Massachusetts

 

X

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
135 Santilli Highway
Everett, MA 02149

Phone: 781-338-3000

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of Massachusetts. However, Massachusetts does have possible pathways to qualify for either a temporary or initial license after having completed Pacific’s program and/or for completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary requirements may apply). Massachusetts requires that candidates complete additional testing and provide official transcripts.

Michigan

X

 

 

Minnesota

 

X

Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board

1021 Bandana Blvd. E., Suite 222

St. Paul, MN 55108-5111

Phone: 651-539-4200

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of Minnesota. However, Minnesota offers licensure by reciprocity to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary testing requirements apply).

Mississippi

 

X

Mississippi Department of Education

PO Box 771

Jackson, MS 39205-0771

Phone: 601-359-3483

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of Mississippi. However, Mississippi may offer licensure by reciprocity to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary requirements may apply).

Missouri

X

 

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Certification Office)

PO Box 480
Jefferson City, MO 65102

Phone: 573-751-0051

Note: While it is possible to become licensed in the state of Missouri after having completed a teacher education program in another state, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education certification website states that “it would be beneficial to obtain that state’s certificate whether one plans to reside in that state or not.”

Montana

X

 

 

Nebraska

 

X

Nebraska Department of Education

PO Box 94987

Lincoln, NE 68509-4987

Nebraska does not have full reciprocity with other states, but we do recognize approved teacher preparation programs from other states. The coursework needs to appear on an official transcript from a standard institution of higher education, which is defined as any college or university whose educator preparation program is fully approved by the board or comparable agency in any other state or country.

 

A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is also recognized as a pathway for initial certification.

 

For those who have completed alternative licensure in another state that does not appear on an official transcript from a standard institution of higher education, additional steps may need to be taken to become certified in Nebraska.

https://www.education.ne.gov/tcert/out-of-state-certification/reciprocity-information/

Nevada

 

X

Nevada Department of Education

Attn: Office of Educator Licensure

2080 E. Flamingo Rd., Ste. 210

Las Vegas, NV 89119

Phone: 702-486-6458

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of Nevada. However, Nevada may offer licensure by reciprocity to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary requirements may apply).

New Hampshire

X

 

 

New Jersey

 

X

New Jersey Department of Education

PO Box 500

Trenton, NJ 08625-0500

Phone: 609-376-3500

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of New Jersey. New Jersey offers licensure to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary requirements may apply).

New Mexico

X

 

 

New York

X

 

 

NOTE: The Office of Teaching Initiatives can not determine eligibility for certification until an application has been submitted, and a review of your credentials has been completed.

New York State does not pre-approve educator preparation programs completed in other U.S. States or Territories.

North Carolina

X

 

 

North Dakota

 

X

North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board
2718 Gateway Avenue, Suite 204

Bismarck, ND 58503-0585

Phone: 701-328-7641

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of North Dakota. North Dakota offers licensure to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary requirements may apply). North Dakota encourages “anyone who completed teaching degree outside of ND to get a teaching license in the state where your degree was earned” prior to applying for licensure in the state.

Ohio

X

 

 

NOTE: The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce can not determine eligibility for certification until an application has been submitted, and a review of your credentials has been completed.

Please review the Ohio “Understanding the Educator Licensure Process” document.

Oklahoma

 

 

Oklahoma State Department of Education

Teacher Certification

2500 North Lincoln Boulevard, #212

Oklahoma City, OK 79105-4599

Phone: 405-521-3337

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of Oklahoma. Oklahoma offers licensure to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary requirements may apply).

Pennsylvania

X

 

 

Rhode Island

X

 

 

South Carolina

X

 

 

South Dakota

X

 

 

Tennessee

X

 

 

Texas

 

X

 

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of Texas. Texas offers licensure to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary requirements may apply).

Utah

 

X

Utah State Board of Education

250 East 500 South

PO Box 144200

Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200

Phone: 801-538-7500

Completing one of Pacific University’s preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of Utah. Utah offers licensure to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary requirements may apply) after completing a License Equivalency Review (LER).

Vermont

X

 

 

Virginia

X

 

 

Washington

 

X

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Old Capital Building
600 Washington St. S.E.
Olympia, WA 98504-7200
Phone: 360-725-6000

Completing one of Pacific University's preliminary licensure program does not automatically enable a completer to apply for licensure in the state of Washington. Washington offers licensure to completers who hold a valid, comparable certificate in another state (ancillary requirements may apply).

West Virginia

X

 

 

Wisconsin

X

 

 

Wyoming

X

 

 

American Samoa (AS)

X

 

 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (PR)

X

 

 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (MP)

X

 

 

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

X

 

 

Guam (GU)

X

 

 

Republic of Palau (PW)

X

 

 

Republic of the Marshall Islands (ISO)

X

 

 

US Virgin Islands (VI)

X