Pursuant to NAC 391.036, all applicants for a Nevada educator license are required to pass the Praxis series of competency tests, which are administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) completed within ten (10) years prior to application for licensure. When you are taking any Praxis tests, be sure to specify the Nevada Department of Education as a score recipient (recipient code 8670) if you would like ETS to transmit your test scores to us electronically. Test times and locations are listed on the ETS Praxis Testing website below.

• ETS Praxis Testing Website (External Link)

The relevant section in Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) specifying the requirements to hold this license type are below:

• NAC 391.036 (External Link)
• NAC 391.056 (External Link)

Pursuant to NAC 391.056, an applicant for initial licensure who has not completed all required competency testing may be issued a non-renewable/provisional license which is valid for three (3) years and given three (3) years in order to complete the necessary tests.

Required testing for most licenses includes:

• Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators - This is a series of three tests covering Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. You will need to take and pass all three of the Core Academic Skills for Educators tests in order to be licensed in Nevada.

  • There are currently two (2) versions of the Praxis Core tests for reading, writing, and math.

    • The previous Praxis Core test numbers are: 5712 (reading), 5722 (writing), and 5732 (math) and the NDE will continue to accept these test scores.
    • The newer Praxis Core test numbers are: 5713 (reading), 5723 (writing), and 5733 (math).
    • The only difference in testing is that the new math test has been revised to have reduced emphasis on Algebra and Geometry.
    • The NDE will accept passing test scores for all 3 of the new, all 3 of the previous, or a combination of both.

• Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) - This is a pedagogy test required for most teaching licenses. Three separate tests are offered, for grades K-6, 5-9, and 7-12. Applicants should take the Principles of Learning and Teaching test appropriate to the grade level for which they desire to be licensed.

• Content Area Tests - Many areas of licensure require content knowledge tests which are specific to the subject to be taught. To determine which content area test(s) may be required for a particular area of licensure or endorsement, visit the ETS Praxis Testing website. If you already hold a valid Nevada educator license and are applying for an additional endorsement which would normally require content area testing, the content test for that endorsement will be waived.

Applicants who hold a valid, non-conditional, non-provisional, and unexpired educator license from another state or country may be eligible for reciprocal licensure in Nevada. Visit our New Teachers (out of state) page or Foreign Educators page to determine if your license qualifies for reciprocity.

ETS offers a Test At Home option, free testing preparation options; Khan Academy and candidate webinars, ADA testing accommodations, and second language accommodations.

• Testing Assistance

NAC 391.036 provides for the following exceptions to Nevada's competency testing requirements.

Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Applicants for licensure will not be required to pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests if they have met one of the following requirements:

• Have passed a basic skills test that is determined by the NDE to be equivalent to the “Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators” in reading, mathematics, and writing.

• Received a master’s or more advanced degree from a regionally accredited college or university and completed within ten (10) years immediately preceding the date on which their application was submitted the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) prepared and administered by ETS or its equivalent and received a score which was at or above midpoint of the score range in effect at the time of examination.

• Have provided SAT exam score of at least 1100. This can be done by using school code: 9291 to have your scores sent to transcripts@doe.nv.gov. SAT exam scores will be accepted up to 10 years from the date of exam.

• Have provided ACT exam score of at least 21. This can be done by using college code: 8196 to have your scores sent to transcripts@doe.nv.gov. ACT exam scores will be accepted up to 10 years from the date of exam.