College of Education and Social Work

PA Teacher Certification Exams

Aspiring educators in Pennsylvania can advance their careers through our testing center. We offer both Praxis exams (administered by ETS) and Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT, administered by Pearson), which are required for obtaining PA teacher certification.

Test Administration

• If testing for specific modules/areas of expertise, register and schedule with Praxis.
• If testing for PECT exams/PECT modules, register and schedule with Pearson.
• One (1) Form of Identification Required
  • Acceptable Primary ID: Government-issued identification (passport, driver’s license, or state ID card).

Accommodations

• Praxis (may take up to 6 weeks to review)
  1. Complete the Testing Accommodations Request form.
  2. Submit disability documentation to ETS.
  3. Once approved, you will receive an email with instructions on how to register for your exam.
• Pearson (PECT)
  1. Complete test registration here, but DO NOT select a test date.
  2. Complete the Alternative Testing Arrangement Request Form, and provide institutional or medical verification of disability and need for accommodations.

Learn about the GRE General and GRE Subject Tests 

A high school equivalency exam is a recognized alternative to a high school diploma. 

Our test center administers the General Educational Development (GED). Once the exam is complete, the diploma equivalent is nationally recognized.

Answer multiple-choice questions in a 90-minute or 120-minute appointment to earn college credit, bypass prerequisites, and become eligible to register for upper-level courses better suited to your educational needs and abilities.  Scratch paper and pencils are provided. Results printed at end of exam. Retaking the same test-title requires a 3-month waiting period. 

---

WCU CLEP Equivalencies

Information about what score is required to pass and where credit will be applied *As of Spring 2023* 

---

ModernStates.org

• The College Board partners with ModernStates.org to provide free CLEP test preparation. Sign up for a free account and enroll in a free preparation course. Complete the course and practice questions. Request the CLEP Voucher from the Modern States website. Register for your CLEP exam using the Modern States voucher to pay the exam fee (instead of your credit card!). 

CLEP Military Benefits (DANTES)

• To help military service members as well as eligible spouses and civil service employees reach their education goals, the U.S. government fully funds CLEP exams and administration fees so you can save money toward your degree. 
• More information is located at CollegeBoard. 

Test Administration

• Each CLEP exam has two (2) fees 
  •  Fee #1: Exam fee
     Payable to College Board/CLEP 
    
    • Complete payment through your College Board Account. This generates a Ticket ID#. 
    •  Then, register for a seat in our testing center. 
  •  Fee #2: Administration Fee
     Payable to West Chester University of PA
    
    •  This fee is non-refundable. 
    •  Pay Test Administration Fee. 
•  One (1) Form of Identification Required 
  •  Acceptable Primary ID: Government-issued identification (passport, driver’s license, or state ID card). 

Scheduling

• Schedule your CLEP exam by either calling or emailing the Professional Testing Center:
  • Call: (610) 436-2413
  • Email: PTC@wcupa.edu

---

Accomodations 

Remember to initiate this process well ahead of your planned test date to ensure all necessary arrangements are in place.  

If you have a learning or physical disability that requires accommodations for your CLEP exam, follow these steps: 

1. Review Available Accommodations  
   • Screen Magnification (ZoomText)
   • Modifiable screen colors
   • Reader, amanuensis, or a sign language interpreter
   • Extended time
   • Untimed rest breaks 
2. Call Your Test Center
   • Call well in advance of your exam date.
   • Discuss needed accommodations.
   • Inquire about documentation submission deadlines. 
3.  Submit Required Documentation 
   • Email the following to PTC@wcupa.edu
     1. Your registration ticket.
     2. Either:
        • Recent school accommodation approval, or
        • Recent doctor/psychologist diagnosis explaining needed accommodations. 
4. For Special Accommodations 
   • If your required accommodation isn’t listed, contact CLEP Services immediately. 

West Chester University’s Professional Testing Center provides test proctoring services to students and community members taking online courses at other colleges or universities who need a local site to take their exams. Tests are only administered on weekdays and non-refundable fees apply.

Arrangements with Your School

• It is the examinee's responsibility to notify their instructor of the date and time the test will be administered, and to follow up to make sure that  WCU’s Professional Testing Center has received the exam(s), directions and restrictions information at least one business day prior to the test appointment. If test materials are to be mailed back to your school and the school does not provide a paid-return envelope, examinees must bring a pre-addressed, pre-paid envelope for materials to be returned to your school. 

About Proctor Consent Forms 

• If your school requires a proctor consent form, complete their form with this Proctor information: 
  •  Contact Person: Brenna Kiley 
  •  Title: Coordinator, Professional Testing Center 
  •  Location: Francis H. Green Library (FHG), Suite 129 
  •  Address: 25 West Rosedale Avenue, West Chester, PA 19383 
  •  Email: PTC@wcupa.edu
  •  Office Phone: 610-436-2413 

 Proctoring Fee 

• Payable to West Chester University of PA 
  • This fee is non-refundable.
  • Pay Test Administration Fee. 

Identification

• One (1) Form of Identification Required 
  • Acceptable Primary ID: Government-issued identification (passport, driver’s license, or state ID card). 

Scheduling

• Schedule your proctoring exam by either calling or emailing the Professional Testing Center: 
  • Call: (610) 436-2413
  • Email: PTC@wcupa.edu

When registering for exams, make sure to report scores to the University.
For Pearson exams (PECT), select West Chester University of Pennsylvania as the recipient.
For Praxis exams, use the code 2659.

Certification Test and Score Requirements (PA Sliding Scale)

The Pennsylvania Department of Education allows teacher candidates applying for PA Teacher Certification to use the sliding scale to qualify for lower-than-passing scores, by using their GPA at the time of graduation. 

To view the sliding scale, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Certification Testing Requirements page and select option #3. 

 How the Sliding Scale Works 

1. GPA Consideration: Your total, final GPA at the time of graduation is used for the sliding scale. 
2.  Score Evaluation: 
   • Find your cumulative GPA at the time of graduation in the top row of the scale.
   • Locate your test in the right column.
   • The intersection shows the required score.
   • Your score qualifies if it’s at or above the listed score. 
3. GPA Precision: GPA cannot be rounded. For example, a 3.744 GPA must use the 3.74 column, not 3.75. 

Important Notes 

• Add-on Certifications: The sliding scale cannot be used for add-on certification areas. These require achieving the standard passing scores.
• State-Specific: This sliding scale applies only to Pennsylvania certification requirements.
• Automatic Process: If using the sliding scale, no additional steps are needed at graduation. A staff member will verify your GPA and scores when certifying your TIMS application.
• Retaking Exams: If your GPA at graduation doesn’t meet the requirements, you’ll need to retake the exams to be certified.

Fee Waivers and Retake Policy

• Fee Waivers and Retake Policy

Prep Materials

Adding Content Area

Map

Written Instructions: 

• The Professional Testing Center is located in Francis Harvey Green Library (FHG) Suite 129. The center is marked with a purple sign labeled Professional Testing Center.
• The outside entrance is accessible from the academic quad at the end of Francis H. Green Library, closest to Recitation Hall, or to the right of Starbucks. The interior entrance is accessible from Francis H. Green Library; walk past Starbucks and follow the signs to the testing center.
• Parking on campus can be challenging, so please plan to arrive early to secure a spot and make it to the center by your appointment.
• Please note that arriving more than 15 minutes late means you are forfeiting your appointment.
•  All parking, except accessible parking, is paid parking.
  • Garage parking is available at New Street Parking Garage (704 S. New Street), Sharpless Street Parking Garage (5 Sharpless Street), Student Recreation Center Parking Garage (275 North Campus Drive), and the Commons Garage (124 North Campus Drive).
  • Street metered parking is available on South High Street, University Avenue, South New Street, and South Church Street.
  • Wheelchair accessible parking is available next to the Professional Testing Center. It is located north of West Rosedale Avenue between the blocks of South High Street and South Church Street.  

• Late arrivals will only be accommodated for up to 15 minutes. After that time, you may not be allowed to test and will need to reschedule with the testing company
• Photo ID is required for all testing.
• Only exam candidates are allowed into the testing room.
• Testing Center staff cannot watch unattended children. Make childcare arrangements prior to arriving for your test appointment.
• Food and beverages are not permitted in the testing room.
• Electronic devices, mechanical pencils and personal items must be stored outside the testing room in the lockers provided.
• Examinees may not take notes out of the testing room.
• Calculators are permitted for specific tests. Personal calculators will be inspected before use is permitted.
• Open book/open note testing is only permitted for authorized tests.
• Once a test is issued it must be completed in one sitting.
• Weapons are not allowed.
• Different testing programs have different rules.
• Talking is not allowed in the testing room.
• Videotaping and audio recording of exam administrations is conducted.
• Acts of dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action and will be reported.
• If you smoke or wear excessive perfume or cologne or exhibit strong-smelling odors on the day of your exam you may be asked to reschedule your exam. These odors may be disruptive to other examinees and those with allergies. 

University Status 

• The Testing Center follows West Chester University’s Closings and Cancellation Procedures (found on the WCU homepage).
•  In the event of a cancellation: 
  •  Examinees will be contacted by ETS or PearsonVUE to reschedule. 
  •  CLEP examinees must email PTC@wcupa.edu to reschedule. 
•  If the university is closed: 
  •  Test Center is closed.