Virginia Praxis Requirements: Tests, Passing Scores & Teacher Licensure

Understanding the Praxis requirements in Virginia is an important step for prospective teachers preparing for Virginia educator licensure. Virginia uses Praxis Subject Assessments for numerous teaching endorsements, while certain elementary, early-primary, and special-education candidates also have a separate reading-assessment requirement.

The exact Praxis test you need depends on the endorsement area you plan to teach.

Virginia’s current licensure framework also reflects an important recent change: the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) is no longer required for initial teacher licensure effective July 1, 2024. Praxis Subject Assessments and other endorsement-specific assessments remain applicable where prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.

Candidates should review the Virginia Department of Education teacher licensure information and the official ETS Virginia Praxis requirements before registering.

For structured exam preparation, candidates can also explore the AIProctoredExams Praxis preparation courses.

Important: Virginia can update approved test codes and qualifying scores. Always confirm your exact endorsement and current assessment before paying for or scheduling a test.

Quick Answer: What Are the Praxis Requirements in Virginia?

The Praxis requirements in Virginia depend on the endorsement you are pursuing.

Depending on your teaching area, Virginia may require:

A Praxis Subject Assessment;
Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects 5001;
Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary 5205;
A middle-school Praxis Subject Assessment;
A secondary subject-area Praxis assessment;
Praxis Reading Specialist 5302;
A Braille proficiency assessment for the applicable visual-impairment endorsement;
A School Leaders Licensure Assessment for administration; or
Another assessment prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.

VDOE states that Praxis Subject Assessments apply to specified endorsement areas and that candidates generally satisfy the subject-area testing requirement for an endorsement matching the initial license being sought.

You can review the broader AIProctoredExams teacher exam-preparation collection after identifying your required exam.

Is Praxis Required to Become a Teacher in Virginia?

Praxis is required for many—but not all—Virginia endorsement areas.

Virginia currently identifies Praxis Subject Assessments for areas that include elementary education, middle education, English, mathematics, history and social sciences, sciences, business, health and physical education, music, world languages, technology education, and visual arts.

The key principle is that the required test must match the endorsement area.

Candidates should therefore avoid taking a Praxis exam simply because it appears related to teaching in general.

Use the official ETS Virginia Praxis overview to check your pathway before registration.

Is VCLA Still Required in Virginia?

No.

This is one of the most important recent changes affecting Virginia teacher licensure.

The Virginia Department of Education states that House Bill 731 eliminated the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment as an initial licensure requirement, effective July 1, 2024.

Therefore, candidates researching the Praxis requirements in Virginia should not rely on older articles that list VCLA as a current universal initial-license requirement.

Praxis Subject Assessments and applicable reading assessments remain separate requirements.

Is Praxis Core Required in Virginia?

Praxis Core is accepted as an entry assessment for Virginia-approved educator-preparation programs, but candidates should not automatically assume it is universally required for Virginia licensure.

ETS specifically states that Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests are accepted for entry assessment into Virginia-approved educator-preparation programs.

Whether you personally need Praxis Core can depend on:

Your educator-preparation institution;
Program admission rules;
Academic credentials;
Available exemptions or alternatives; and
Your specific route to licensure.

If your preparation program requires Praxis Core, you can use the Praxis Core 5713, 5723, 5733 and 5752 preparation course.

Confirm the requirement with your institution before registering.

Virginia Elementary Education Praxis Requirements

Elementary Education is one of the most important areas within the Praxis requirements in Virginia.

Virginia elementary candidates currently use Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects 5001, which contains four separately scored subtests.

Virginia Praxis 5001 Passing Scores

Praxis 5001 Subtest	Code	Virginia Passing Score
Reading and Language Arts	5002	157
Mathematics	5003	157
Social Studies	5004	155
Science	5005	159

Candidates must meet the required score on each applicable subtest. Current Virginia educator-preparation institutions continue to publish these Virginia Board-approved thresholds.

Candidates preparing for these tests can use the Praxis 5001 Elementary Education preparation course.

You can also begin with the Praxis 5001 practice test and study guide to identify weak areas before beginning intensive preparation.

Virginia Praxis 5205 Teaching Reading Requirement

Virginia also requires a dedicated reading assessment for several endorsement areas.

The current assessment is:

Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205)

Virginia passing score: 159

VDOE identifies Praxis 5205 as the current reading assessment required for applicable initial-license endorsements after September 1, 2022.

The affected endorsement areas include:

Early/Primary Education PreK–3;
Elementary Education PreK–6;
Special Education – General Curriculum K–12;
Special Education – Hearing Impairments; and
Special Education – Visual Impairments.

Some candidates who completed earlier requirements under previous regulations may have different historical assessment records.

Candidates preparing for the current exam can use the Praxis 5205 Teaching Reading: Elementary preparation course.

What Does Praxis 5205 Test?

Praxis 5205 focuses on research-based elementary literacy instruction.

Major areas include:

Phonological awareness;
Phonemic awareness;
Emergent literacy;
Phonics;
Decoding;
Vocabulary;
Fluency;
Reading comprehension;
Writing;
Literacy assessment; and
Instructional decision-making.

Virginia’s approved passing score of 159 was established after review of the ETS standard-setting recommendation.

The exam contains selected-response and constructed-response tasks, making it important to practice both content knowledge and application to realistic classroom situations.

Virginia Middle School Praxis Requirements

Virginia uses specific Praxis assessments for Middle Education endorsements.

Current approved tests include:

Virginia Endorsement	Praxis Test	Code	Passing Score
Middle Education English	Middle School English Language Arts	5047	164
Middle Education Mathematics	Middle School Mathematics	5164	157
Middle Education Science	Middle School Science	5442	147
Middle Education History & Social Sciences	Middle School Social Studies	5089	160

The Virginia Department of Education’s current assessment documentation confirms 5047, 5164, 5442, and 5089 as the prescribed tests for these middle-school endorsement areas.

Candidates should pay close attention to the test code, not just the test name, because Praxis periodically replaces older assessments with updated versions.

Virginia Secondary English Praxis Requirement

For candidates seeking an English endorsement, Virginia currently uses:

English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038)
Passing score: 167

Current Virginia preparation-program guidance reflects this score, and ETS also lists 5038 among Virginia’s Praxis Bridge-eligible examinations.

Preparation should include:

Literature;
Literary analysis;
Language;
Writing;
Rhetoric;
Research;
Communication; and
Interpretation of texts.

Virginia Mathematics Praxis Requirement

Candidates seeking the Virginia Mathematics endorsement currently take:

Praxis Mathematics (5165)
Passing score: 159

Virginia adopted 5165 to replace the older 5161 assessment, with 5165 becoming the required test effective September 1, 2022.

The exam evaluates mathematics content across areas such as:

Number and quantity;
Algebra;
Functions;
Calculus;
Geometry;
Statistics; and
Probability.

Candidates should always prepare for 5165, unless they previously passed an older Virginia-approved test during the period when it was accepted.

Virginia History and Social Sciences Praxis Requirement

Virginia now uses:

Praxis Social Studies (5581)
Passing score: 153

The Virginia Board approved 5581 to replace the previous Social Studies: Content Knowledge 5081 assessment.

The current test became the Virginia-approved History and Social Sciences assessment, and ETS identifies Social Studies 5581 as one of the Virginia Praxis Bridge-eligible exams.

Candidates should prepare across:

U.S. history;
World history;
Government and civics;
Geography;
Economics;
Historical analysis; and
Social-science interpretation.

Virginia Science Praxis Requirements

Virginia uses different Praxis Subject Assessments for individual science endorsements.

Current examples include:

Science Endorsement	Praxis Test	Code	Passing Score
Biology	Biology	5236	154
Chemistry	Chemistry	5246	146
Earth Science	Earth and Space Sciences	5572	154
Physics	Physics	5266	145

VDOE’s current assessment records identify these newer test codes and passing scores for Virginia.

Candidates should be cautious with older study guides because previous versions such as 5235, 5245, 5571, and 5265 have been replaced for current testing.

Other Common Virginia Praxis Passing Scores

Virginia uses Praxis in additional endorsement areas.

Endorsement	Test	Code	Passing Score
Art	Art: Content Knowledge	5134	158
Business & Information Technology	Business Education	5101	157
Computer Science	Computer Science	5652	142
French	French: World Language	5174	163
German	German: World Language	5183	163
Health & Physical Education	Health and Physical Education	5857	160
Marketing Education	Marketing Education	5561	147
Music	Music: Content Knowledge	5113	160
Spanish	Spanish: World Language	5195	168
Technology Education	Technology and Engineering Education	5053	157

Virginia’s current assessment materials identify these scores and distinguish current tests from older tests that remain valid only when they were taken during their approved period.

Does Virginia Require Praxis 5355 for Special Education?

Candidates should be careful not to assume that a Praxis test required by another state is automatically part of the Praxis requirements in Virginia.

For Virginia Special Education – General Curriculum K–12, the current professional assessment guidance identifies the Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary 5205 requirement rather than universally prescribing Praxis 5355 as the Virginia subject assessment.

AIProctoredExams provides a Praxis 5355 Special Education: Foundational Knowledge preparation course for candidates whose state, institution, or credentialing pathway requires that assessment.

Virginia candidates should verify their own endorsement before registering for Praxis 5355.

Virginia Reading Specialist Requirement

Candidates pursuing the Reading Specialist endorsement have a different reading assessment.

Virginia currently accepts:

Praxis Reading Specialist (5302)
Passing score: 162

The current assessment replaced the older RVE Reading Specialist test for new testing after September 1, 2022.

This is distinct from Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary 5205.

Candidates should therefore not confuse:

5205 → applicable elementary/special-education reading requirement

with

5302 → Reading Specialist endorsement

Does Virginia Require Praxis 5511?

Praxis 5511 Fundamental Subjects is used in some states for broad subject-matter requirements, particularly certain special-education or PK–12 pathways.

It is not a universal Virginia Praxis requirement.

Candidates who need Praxis 5511 for another state or credential can use the Praxis 5511 Fundamental Subjects preparation course.

Virginia applicants should rely on their specific VDOE endorsement requirements rather than assuming 5511 applies.

Virginia School Speech-Language Pathology and Praxis 5331

Praxis 5331 is commonly used in professional speech-language pathology credentialing.

AIProctoredExams offers a comprehensive Praxis 5331 Speech-Language Pathology preparation course.

However, candidates seeking a Virginia education credential should verify whether their pathway requires Praxis 5331 through the relevant Virginia educational or professional licensing authority rather than assuming that all school-based SLP pathways use the same teacher-licensure test structure.

Virginia Praxis Bridge

Virginia participates in the Praxis Bridge option for certain Praxis examinations.

ETS currently lists Virginia Praxis Bridge eligibility for tests including:

Elementary Education Multiple Subjects 5001;
Reading and Language Arts 5002;
Mathematics 5003;
Social Studies 5004;
Science 5005;
English Language Arts 5038;
Mathematics 5165;
Social Studies 5581;
Middle School Science 5442; and
Teaching Reading: Elementary 5205.

Some of these became Bridge-eligible effective November 1, 2025, with retroactive provisions for certain candidates.

Candidates should review their Praxis account and current ETS eligibility information rather than assuming they qualify automatically.

Virginia Career Switcher Alternative Route

Virginia offers a Career Switcher Alternative Route to Licensure for experienced professionals who want to transition into teaching.

VDOE currently lists prerequisite requirements that include:

A bachelor’s degree;
Appropriate endorsement-area preparation;
At least three years of full-time work experience or its equivalent;
Admission to an approved Career Switcher provider; and
Qualifying scores on applicable professional teacher assessments prescribed by the Virginia Board of Education.

Candidates can review the official Virginia Career Switcher Program for current eligibility and provider information.

This makes the Career Switcher route particularly relevant to professionals changing careers into education.

Other Alternative Routes to Virginia Licensure

The Career Switcher program is not Virginia’s only alternative route.

VDOE also identifies pathways including:

Approved alternate routes through employment;
iteach;
Troops to Teachers;
Approved educator-preparation programs; and
Other state-authorized pathways.

The VDOE teacher preparation and alternative-route information can help candidates determine which route best matches their background.

Out-of-State Teachers and Virginia Reciprocity

The Praxis requirements in Virginia can work differently for educators who already hold licenses elsewhere.

Virginia provides both traditional reciprocity and a newer universal reciprocity pathway.

VDOE states that educators who completed an approved educator-preparation program or hold a valid comparable out-of-state credential may qualify through reciprocity.

Virginia also provides universal licensure by reciprocity for certain educators holding valid out-of-state licenses with full credentials and at least three years of qualifying teaching experience.

Candidates relocating to Virginia should therefore review the official Virginia licensure reciprocity guidance before registering for additional Praxis exams.

You may already qualify under a reciprocity pathway.

How to Register for Praxis in Virginia

Praxis examinations are administered through ETS.

Step 1: Identify Your Endorsement

Determine the exact Virginia endorsement you are pursuing.

Examples include:

Elementary Education PreK–6;
Middle Education English;
Middle Education Mathematics;
English;
Mathematics;
Biology;
Chemistry;
History and Social Sciences;
Spanish; or
Another endorsement.

Step 2: Confirm the Current Test Code

This is important because Praxis assessments change periodically.

For example:

Mathematics changed from 5161 to 5165;
Social Studies changed from 5081 to 5581;
Biology changed from 5235 to 5236;
Chemistry changed from 5245 to 5246;
Physics changed from 5265 to 5266.

Step 3: Confirm the Virginia Passing Score

Passing scores are determined by states and licensing agencies, not universally by ETS.

Use the official ETS Praxis passing-score information alongside VDOE requirements.

Step 4: Register Through ETS

Use the official ETS Praxis site to locate and schedule your required examination.

Step 5: Confirm Score Reporting

Make sure Virginia is properly designated as your score recipient when necessary.

How Are Praxis Scores Sent to Virginia?

Score reporting is an important part of the Praxis requirements in Virginia.

ETS states that when:

You test in Virginia, including eligible at-home testing; and
Your Praxis profile address is in Virginia,

your scores are automatically sent to the Virginia Department of Education.

If you test outside Virginia or your profile address is outside Virginia, you should select VDOE as a score recipient.

The current Virginia state recipient code is:

8425

ETS also notes that Virginia recommends applicants keep and submit copies of official score reports because mismatched identifying information can occasionally affect electronic matching.

How to Apply for a Virginia Teaching License

VDOE currently identifies several major components of Virginia teacher licensure, including:

A bachelor’s degree for most teaching licenses;
Content-area knowledge;
Professional studies coursework;
Required assessments;
Student teaching, practicum, or experience;
Endorsement requirements; and
Statutory licensure requirements.

These components can be completed through approved traditional or alternative routes.

Use the official Virginia teaching-license application guidance when preparing your application.

How to Prepare for Your Virginia Praxis Test

Knowing your required test is only the beginning.

1. Confirm Your Exact Examination

Write down:

Endorsement → test title → test code → Virginia passing score

Do this before buying preparation materials.

2. Review the Official Test Blueprint

Identify:

Number of questions;
Testing time;
Major domains;
Domain weighting;
Question formats;
Calculator rules where applicable; and
Constructed-response requirements.

3. Complete a Diagnostic Assessment

A diagnostic test helps identify:

Strong areas;
Weak domains;
Repeated conceptual errors;
Timing problems; and
Question types requiring additional practice.

4. Build a Targeted Study Plan

Do not study every topic equally.

Spend more time on weak areas while maintaining stronger domains.

Candidates can use the AIProctoredExams Study Guides collection to organize their preparation.

5. Practice Exam-Style Questions

For each incorrect response:

Identify the concept.
Explain why your choice was wrong.
Determine why the correct answer is stronger.
Review the underlying rule or concept.
Attempt another related question.

6. Use Timed Practice

Timed practice develops:

Pacing;
Concentration;
Endurance;
Elimination techniques;
Prioritization; and
Test-day confidence.

Learn more through How AIProctoredExams Works.

Additional Praxis Preparation Resources

Depending on the tests required in your jurisdiction or preparation program, AIProctoredExams also provides:

These resources should not be interpreted as proof that a PLT examination is part of your particular Virginia endorsement. Always confirm the required test first.

What Happens if You Do Not Pass the Praxis?

Not reaching the Virginia passing score on your first attempt does not necessarily end your licensure pathway.

Use your score report to guide the next stage of preparation.

Before retesting:

Review your content-category scores.
Identify your weakest domains.
Compare those domains with the official test blueprint.
Complete targeted study.
Work through additional practice questions.
Complete a timed practice test.
Verify the current ETS retesting policy.
Register again once your performance improves.

If you need help accessing preparation resources, visit the AIProctoredExams Help Center.

Frequently Asked Questions About Praxis Requirements in Virginia

Is Praxis required to become a teacher in Virginia?

Praxis Subject Assessments are required for specified Virginia endorsement areas. The required exam depends on the subject and grade level you intend to teach.

Is VCLA still required in Virginia?

No. VCLA was eliminated as an initial licensure requirement effective July 1, 2024.

Is Praxis Core required for Virginia teacher licensure?

Praxis Core is accepted for entry assessment into Virginia-approved educator-preparation programs. Whether you need it depends on your program and admission circumstances.

What are the Virginia Praxis 5001 passing scores?

The current subtest passing scores are:

5002 Reading and Language Arts: 157
5003 Mathematics: 157
5004 Social Studies: 155
5005 Science: 159

What is the Virginia Praxis 5205 passing score?

Virginia’s passing score for Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary 5205 is 159.

What is the Virginia Mathematics Praxis passing score?

Praxis Mathematics 5165 requires a Virginia passing score of 159.

What is the Virginia Social Studies Praxis passing score?

Praxis Social Studies 5581 requires a Virginia passing score of 153 for the History and Social Sciences endorsement.

What is the Virginia Middle School Mathematics passing score?

Praxis Middle School Mathematics 5164 currently requires 157.

What is the Virginia Middle School Science passing score?

Praxis Middle School Science 5442 currently requires 147.

What is the Virginia English Praxis passing score?

Praxis English Language Arts: Content Knowledge 5038 currently requires 167.

Does Virginia require Praxis 5355 for Special Education?

Candidates should not assume so. Current VDOE professional-assessment guidance specifically identifies Praxis 5205 as a reading assessment for Special Education – General Curriculum and certain other special-education endorsements. Verify your exact endorsement before registering for 5355.

What is Virginia’s Praxis score recipient code?

The Virginia Department of Education Praxis recipient code is 8425.

Can an out-of-state teacher get a Virginia license through reciprocity?

Yes. Virginia has traditional reciprocity and a universal reciprocity option for certain experienced educators who meet applicable requirements.

Does Virginia have an alternative teacher certification pathway?

Yes. Virginia provides several alternative routes, including the Career Switcher Alternative Route to Licensure Program.

Final Thoughts on Praxis Requirements in Virginia

Understanding the Praxis requirements in Virginia starts with identifying the exact endorsement you intend to pursue.

Virginia does not require one universal Praxis exam for every teacher.

An Elementary Education candidate may need Praxis 5001 and Praxis 5205.

A Middle Education candidate may need a subject-specific middle-school Praxis assessment.

A Mathematics candidate may need Praxis 5165.

A History and Social Sciences candidate may need Praxis 5581.

Certain special-education candidates may need Praxis 5205 as the prescribed reading assessment.

The best sequence is:

Choose your Virginia endorsement → identify your licensure route → verify the current VDOE assessment → confirm the test code → confirm the passing score → prepare → register through ETS → ensure scores reach VDOE → complete the licensing application.

Because assessment policies can change, always verify the current Praxis requirements in Virginia through the Virginia Department of Education and ETS Virginia Praxis information before scheduling an examination.

For focused exam preparation, practice questions, detailed answer explanations, and structured review, explore the AIProctoredExams Praxis preparation collection.

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