Utah Praxis Tests & Passing Scores Guide
Utah Praxis Requirements: Required Tests, Optional Exams and Licensing
Utah Praxis Requirements are different from the rules used in many other states. Utah does not impose one Praxis examination on every teacher candidate. The test you may need depends on your licensing pathway, preparation program, endorsement area and intended professional role.
Some examinations carry explicit statewide passing-score requirements. Other Praxis content tests can be used as one method of demonstrating subject competency. Approved coursework, microcredentials or other evidence may satisfy the competency requirement in certain pathways.
Quick answer: Utah Praxis Requirements depend on the educator license and endorsement you are pursuing. Before registering, confirm your test with the Utah State Board of Education Educator Tests page, your preparation program and the official ETS Utah test requirements.
Candidates who already know their examination can browse the complete collection of Praxis exam preparation courses available through AIProctoredExams.
How Utah Praxis Requirements Work
Utah separates educator testing into several categories:
- Tests with a specific statewide passing-score requirement
- The Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment for designated candidates
- Optional Praxis content tests that can demonstrate endorsement competency
- Additional testing required by a university, preparation program or employing school
- Professional-role examinations for administrators and student-support specialists
Utah no longer requires a Pedagogical Performance Assessment for educator licensing. However, an educator preparation program may establish separate assessments for program completion or graduation.
Because Utah Praxis Requirements vary by route and endorsement, candidates should never register based only on a general list of Praxis tests. The first step is identifying the exact license and endorsement being pursued.
Utah Educator Licensing Pathways
The Utah educator licensing pathways include university preparation programs, the Alternate Pathway to Professional Educator License program and U-RAPT.
Utah also recognizes different license levels:
- Associate Educator License: Generally issued to educators who are still completing requirements for professional licensing.
- Professional Educator License: Issued after the educator completes the applicable preparation, competency and professional requirements.
- LEA-Specific Educator License: Requested by a local education agency for employment within that specific agency.
The appropriate pathway affects whether a Praxis test is mandatory, optional or replaced by another form of competency evidence.
Tests With Explicit Utah Passing Scores
The following tests have clearly identified passing scores for the corresponding Utah professional roles.
| Professional role | Test | Utah passing score |
|---|---|---|
| School leadership | Praxis 5412 Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision | 146 |
| School leadership alternative | Praxis 6990 School Leaders Licensure Assessment | 151 |
| School counselor | Praxis 5422 School Counselor | 153 |
| School psychologist | Praxis 5403 School Psychologist | 148 |
School leadership candidates may meet the testing requirement using Praxis 5412 or Praxis 6990, depending on the route approved for their program.
Candidates pursuing school counseling should also review the official Utah school counseling licensing information. School psychologist candidates can consult Utah’s school mental-health and psychology resources.
Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment
Candidates enrolled in a Utah-based educator preparation program or alternate pathway in the following areas must pass the Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment:
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- Special Education
The required passing score is 240.
For candidates affected by this rule, Utah Praxis Requirements include understanding that the reading assessment is separate from the Praxis series. Passing an elementary Praxis test does not automatically replace the Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment.
Registration, test policies and study information are available through the official Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment website.
Early Childhood and Elementary Praxis Scores
Utah lists several early-childhood and elementary Praxis examinations as possible methods of demonstrating content competency. Whether you must take one depends on your preparation route and endorsement evaluation.
| Subject area | Praxis test | Passing score |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | Praxis 5025 Early Childhood Education | 156 |
| Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects | Praxis 5001 Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects | Pass all applicable subtests |
| Reading and Language Arts | Praxis 5002 | 157 |
| Mathematics | Praxis 5003 | 157 |
| Social Studies | Praxis 5004 | 155 |
| Science | Praxis 5005 | 159 |
| English to Speakers of Other Languages | Praxis 5362 ESOL | 149 |
Praxis 5001 contains four separately scored subtests. Candidates taking the combined assessment should verify whether their program requires every subtest and whether previously passed subtests can be retained.
Optional Secondary and Specialized Praxis Tests
For many teaching endorsements, Praxis is an optional competency route rather than a universal examination. In these fields, Utah Praxis Requirements allow eligible candidates to demonstrate knowledge through an approved Praxis score or another accepted competency method.
| Endorsement area | Praxis test | Passing score |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | 5701 | 147 |
| Art: Content and Analysis | 5134 | 158 |
| Biology | 5236 | 148 |
| Business Education | 5101 | 154 |
| Chemistry | 5246 | 140 |
| Chinese Mandarin | 5665 | 145 |
| Computer Science | 5652 | 149 |
| Earth and Space Sciences | 5572 | 148 |
| Economics | 5911 | 150 |
| English Language Arts: Content Knowledge | 5038 | 167 |
| English Language Arts: Content and Analysis | 5039 | 162 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences | 5123 | 160 |
| French: World Language | 5174 | 160 |
| Geography | 5921 | 159 |
| German: World Language | 5183 | 160 |
| Gifted Education | 5358 | 157 |
| World and U.S. History | 5941 | 156 |
| Latin | 5601 | 152 |
| Marketing Education | 5561 | 156 |
| Music: Content and Instruction | 5113 | 156 |
| Physics | 5266 | 140 |
| Government and Political Science | 5931 | 149 |
| Psychology | 5391 | 154 |
| Secondary Mathematics | 5165 | 152 |
| Middle School Science | 5442 | 152 |
| Sociology | 5952 | 154 |
| Spanish: World Language | 5195 | 168 |
| Technology and Engineering Education | 5053 | 159 |
| Theatre | 5641 | 162 |
A passing score shown in this table does not mean every candidate in that subject must take the test. Utah may accept approved coursework, microcredentials or other competency evidence. Confirm the applicable option before paying an examination fee.
Special Education Praxis Tests
Special education candidates may encounter the following content examinations. The Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment may also apply to candidates completing a Utah-based special education preparation pathway.
| Special education area | Praxis test | Passing score |
|---|---|---|
| Special Education: Preschool/Early Childhood | 5692 | 159 |
| Middle School Mathematics | 5164 | 150 |
| Secondary Mathematics alternative | Praxis 5165 | 152 |
| Special Education: Foundational Knowledge | 5355 | 139 |
| Special Education: Severe to Profound | 5547 | 149 |
| Education of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students | 5272 | 157 |
Endorsement requirements can differ by pathway. Candidates should obtain written confirmation from their preparation program or the Utah State Board of Education when a testing requirement is unclear.
Are Praxis Tests Mandatory for Every Utah Teacher?
No. Utah does not require every teacher candidate to pass the same Praxis examination.
Praxis may be:
- A required examination for a specific professional role
- An optional method of proving subject competency
- A requirement established by an educator preparation program
- Unnecessary when the candidate has approved coursework or another accepted credential
This distinction is important. The ETS state page provides available tests and scores, while the Utah State Board of Education determines how those results apply to licensing.
Praxis Registration and Test Preparation
Once your test has been confirmed, use the official ETS Praxis registration process to create an account, select an examination and schedule the appointment.
Before registering:
- Confirm the exact test code.
- Check whether the test is mandatory or an optional competency method.
- Verify the required score.
- Review available test dates and delivery methods.
- Select the correct Utah score recipient.
- Allow enough time for score reporting and licensing processing.
The official Praxis Information Bulletin explains registration rules, identification requirements, rescheduling, cancellations and test-day procedures.
Candidates should build their study plan around the ETS test framework rather than studying unrelated material. Begin with a diagnostic assessment, identify weak content domains and then combine targeted review with timed practice.
Praxis Bridge in Utah
Praxis Bridge may help eligible candidates who narrowly miss a qualifying Praxis passing score. The program combines structured learning modules with a retest opportunity.
Utah participation may be available for selected tests, including:
- Praxis 5001
- Praxis 5002
- Praxis 5003
- Praxis 5004
- Praxis 5005
- Praxis 5442
Eligibility is not automatic. Candidates should review the official Praxis Bridge information to determine whether their score and test qualify.
Sending Praxis Scores to Utah
Completing Utah Praxis Requirements is not finished until the correct score reaches the Utah State Board of Education.
When registering, select the Utah State Board of Education as a score recipient. The ETS recipient code is 8375.
Automatic score uploads can take up to 15 business days. If you did not select USBE as a recipient, follow the instructions on the state testing page for submitting the official score notice. Include your CACTUS identification number so the result can be matched to your educator record.
Candidates should keep copies of:
- ETS score reports
- Registration confirmations
- Program correspondence
- CACTUS identification information
- Submitted licensing documents
Praxis Preparation Options
A good preparation plan should match the exact test code and current test specifications. Candidates can use the linked AIProctoredExams preparation courses for focused content review, practice questions and examination-style preparation.
For paraprofessional employment, requirements are generally established by the employing district or school rather than the teacher-licensing rules discussed above. Candidates asked to complete the assessment can review the Praxis ParaPro Assessment 1755 preparation course.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Utah Praxis Requirements for teachers?
Utah Praxis Requirements depend on the candidate’s licensing pathway and endorsement. Some roles have mandatory tests, while many teaching endorsements allow Praxis as one of several methods for demonstrating competency.
Does every Utah teacher need to take Praxis?
No. Many Utah educators can demonstrate content competency through approved coursework, microcredentials or other evidence. School leaders, school counselors and school psychologists have specific testing rules.
What Praxis score does Utah require?
There is no single statewide Praxis passing score. Each examination has its own score. For example, Praxis 5412 requires 146, Praxis 5422 requires 153 and Praxis 5403 requires 148.
Is the Utah Foundations of Reading Assessment a Praxis test?
No. It is a separate state assessment. It applies to designated early-childhood, elementary and special education candidates completing Utah-based preparation pathways.
Can a university require Praxis even when the state lists it as optional?
Yes. Universities and preparation programs may establish separate testing rules for admission, graduation, clinical placement or program completion.
Where should Praxis scores be sent?
Select the Utah State Board of Education using ETS recipient code 8375. Candidates should verify that the score appears in their Utah educator record after processing.
Can I use Praxis Bridge if I miss the passing score?
Possibly. Praxis Bridge applies only to participating tests and qualifying score ranges. Review the official program rules before assuming you are eligible.
Final Guidance
The best way to manage Utah Praxis Requirements is to verify the licensing pathway first, determine whether testing is mandatory or optional, confirm the exact test code and then prepare for the required score.
Testing policies and available examinations can change. Always compare this guide with the latest instructions from the Utah State Board of Education, ETS and your educator preparation program before registering.
Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and does not replace an official licensing evaluation by the Utah State Board of Education or an approved preparation program.
