Licensure and Certification

The University testing center is able to administer exams for individuals in need of a proctor location for licensure or certification exams. Individuals in need of this service first need to arrange with the licensing or certification agency to have the necessary information and exam sent to our office. Once all materials have been received, testing is scheduled by appointment using our online registration system.

The fee for this service is $28.50 for an exam of less than three hours, or $33.50 for an exam of three or more hours.

Teaching Certification

For information on Oregon teacher certification requirements please visit the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

UO Teaching Certification

The Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission regulates all Pre-K12 teacher licensure programs in the state. Students interested in becoming teachers are encouraged to learn more about pathways into the following University of Oregon programs:

  1. UOTeach curriculum and teaching elementary and middle/high school one-year masters and licensure program: MEd
  2. Special education early childhood and general K12: minor, MA/MS/MED
  3. Music education: BA, MA 

NES/ORELA

The University of Oregon Testing Center offers the National Evaluation Series (NES) computer-based Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) test year-round. The following tests are required for Oregon teacher licensure:

  1. UOTeach Elementary Licensure Program: Applicants are encouraged to pass the test prior to the start of the program in June.
  2. UOTeach Secondary Entrances Test: Applicants are required to prove a passing score for the subject area test for which they are applying.
  3. Currently World Language tests must be taken at a Pearson Professional Testing Center in Salem, Beaverton, Portland, or Medford. Results take up to four weeks to process.

Find more information on ORELA tests—including policies on retakes and scores—and register for a test on the ORELA website.

ORELA also offers free study guides that give information on the format, content areas and competencies covered in the test, as well as sample test questions and answers. UO Libraries has ORELA study guides. Materials can also be requested through the library Summit network system. Go to UO Libraries and type "Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments" in the library search. If books are not available on campus, you can “Place a Summit Request” through the Interlibrary Loan (ILL). If you have questions call 541-346-3055 or email ill@uoregon.edu. Books are typically available for six days.

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PRAXIS

The Praxis Series™ assessments provide educational tests and other services that states use as part of their teacher licensure and certification process. The Praxis I® tests measure basic academic skills, and the Praxis II® tests measure general and subject-specific knowledge and teaching skills.

The Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) worked with the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson to implement new contemporary teacher certification tests that are part of the company’s NES® (National Evaluation Series™). Oregon will use the NES tests to replace many existing PRAXIS tests for licenses and endorsements, integrating the new NES tests with the existing customized Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) program.

Test areas not yet developed by NES that will continue to be administered through the PRAXIS Series testing program:

  • Agriculture (10900) [Agriculture]
  • Chemistry, Physics and General Sciences (10070) [Chemistry, Physics]
  • Speech Language Pathology (20330) [Communications Disorders]
  • Special Education: Preschool, Early Childhood (10690) [Early Intervention, Early Childhood] French Content Knowledge and Productive Language Skills (20173; 10171) [French]
  • German Content Knowledge and Productive Language Skills (20181; 30182) [German]
  • Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students (10271) [Hearing Impaired]
  • Marketing Education (10560) [Marketing]
  • Reading Specialist (20300) [Reading]
  • School Psychologist (10400) [School Psychologist]
  • Speech Communication (10220) [Speech Communication]
  • Technology Education (10050) [Technology]
  • Teaching Students with Visual Impairments (10280) [Vision Impaired]

The PRAXIS II Subject Exams are paper and pencil tests that cover a wide range of licensure and certification areas. The PRAXIS II Subject Exams are offered throughout the year on specific test dates.

Find more information on registration, test dates, and fees here. Free study guides giving information on the format, content areas and competencies covered in the test, as well as sample test questions and answers are available.

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CBEST

The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is used to certify individuals who wish to teach at public schools. The University Testing Center offers the computer-based CBEST exam. Find more information and register for an exam date here.

The last paper-based administration of the CBEST in Oregon was held on June 11, 2011. Beginning June 21, 2011, the National Evaluation Series (NES) Essential Academic Skills (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics subtests) is the basic skills test preferred by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC). However, the TSPC will continue to accept CBEST scores to fulfill the basic skills requirement for initial licensure in Oregon. Computer-based administrations of CBEST will continue to be offered in Oregon.

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Other Certifications

The University of Oregon Testing serves as a test site for some state licensure and certification programs. Testing is offered on behalf of the following State of Oregon agencies:

Board of Tax Examiners—certifies people to prepare taxes and be consultants.

Oregon Department of Building Codes: Building Inspectors and State Building Codes—licensure and certification for building inspectors and individuals in the building trades. 

Register for a Test

Oregon Department of Agriculture certification exams for pesticide applicators—available only as a computer-based test on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Schedule a test here or call the Metro Institute at 877-533-2900.

Questions? Email us at testing@uoregon.edu.

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