Missouri Praxis tests

Which Missouri Praxis test do you need on a temporary certificate?

Teachers on a Temporary Authorization Certificate must pass a Principles of Learning and Teaching test and a content test before applying for an Initial Professional Certificate. ETS lists pairings such as:

• Grades 5-9: PLT: Grades 5-9 (5623) with Middle School ELA (5047), Middle School Mathematics (5164), Middle School Science (5442) or Middle School Social Studies (5089).
• Grades 9-12: PLT: Grades 7-12 (5624) with Biology (5236), ELA: Content Knowledge (5038), Mathematics (5165), Chemistry (5246), Physics (5266), Earth and Space Sciences (5572), Computer Science (5652) or Social Studies: Content Knowledge (5081).

Social Studies 5081 is no longer on ETS’s test list, so ask DESE which social studies test it accepts now. DESE’s doctoral route also uses PLT: Grades 7-12 (5624).

ParaPathways scores and other routes

ETS’s Missouri test page lists 322 for ParaPathways: Reading and Writing (5758) and 325 for ParaPathways: Mathematics (5759).

If you can’t pass your final assessment, Missouri law since June 2022 (Section 168.021, RSMo) lets you seek a superintendent’s recommendation for initial certification instead.

Sending scores to Missouri

If you test in Missouri with a Missouri profile address, scores go to DESE automatically; otherwise choose code 7625. DESE says it gets all official score reports directly from the testing company. Its certification office is at certification@dese.mo.gov or 573-751-0051.