Exams Requred for Teacher Certification in Arizona
Notice to Teaching Interns: testing centers for the NES and AEPA certification exam are just beginning to open. Not all sites are available. More information about registering for an exam and customer support.
Please note that only test centers that are open will appear in the seat availability tool and during the scheduling process.
There are two types of exams required for Arizona certification at the secondary level (grades 6-12)
- NES (National Evaluation Series) Secondary Professional Knowledge Exam (NT052)
- Subject Knowledge Exam for the academic area in which certification is intended.
The exam could be through NES (National Evaluation Series) or AEPA (Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments). The academic area for testing must match the subject area of teaching on an Alternative Teaching Certificate. Please note: If your bachelor's or advanced degree is in the academic subject in which you teach on an Alternative Teaching Certificate, you may qualify for a waiver of the Secondary Subject Knowledge Exam.
To view a list of degree majors that qualify for a secondary subject knowledge exam waiver in specific approved areas, go to the ADE website.
Curious to know if you are qualified to teach an academic subject?
This Approved Teaching Subject Checklist can help.
When should you take the exams?
- Subject Knowledge Exam – Take this exam as soon as you are ready to do so and as early in the program as possible.
- Professional Knowledge Exam – It is optimal to take the exam just prior to or early into your final semester of classes.
The Secondary Professional Knowledge Exam, and most subject knowledge exams, are taken online at testing centers through the company, NES. Several subject knowledge exams are taken online at testing centers through AEPA.
Visit the Arizona Department of Education website to access a list of the current exams and to register.