"Content" refers to what – not how – you will teach. To qualify for a Colorado teaching license, or even to be placed for student teaching, you must first pass the required Content Tests.

What test should you take?

PRAXIS test are now the industry standard, passing score in parentheses.

You should take the test for your licensure area:

  • Early Childhood Education
    • PRAXIS 5024 (160) AND
    • PRAXIS 5205 (159)
  • Elementary Education
    • PRAXIS 5901 series (as outlined below) AND PRAXIS 5205 (159)
        • Mathematics 5903 (157) - 5003 also accepted
        • Social Studies 5904 (155) - 5004 also accepted
        • Science 5905 (159) - 5005 also accepted
  • Secondary English
    • PRAXIS II 5038 (167)
  • Secondary Mathematics
    • 5165 (159) or 5161 (152) if taken between 09.01.2016 and 08.31.2022;
      accepted thru 08.31.2027
  • Secondary Science
    • PRAXIS II 5435 (152)
  • Secondary Social Studies
    • PRAXIS II 5081 (150)
  • K-12 Art
    • PRAXIS 5135 (158)
  • K-12 Music
    • PRAXIS 5113 (161)
  • K-12 Physical Education
    • PRAXIS 5091 (148)
  • K-12 Spanish
    • PRAXIS 5195 (163)
  • K-12 Drama
    • PRAXIS 5641 (153)

Where do you take the content tests?

All PRAXIS exams are offered at designed test sites in the region. Fort Lewis College is NOT a designated test center. The closest test center is San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico, approximately one hour south of Durango. In addition, all tests are available online without going to a testing center.

Registration and costs

Register for Content Tests on the PRAXIS website. These sites also offer:

Each test costs up to $160 and takes up to 4 hours.

This website also offers test preparation materials through the FLC library: Mometrix PRAXIS Study Resources.

When should you take the tests?

Take your content test almost a year before you apply for admission to student teaching. Test dates can be found on the PRAXIS website or on the bulletin board outside EBH 242.

Not all students pass their test on the first try. Give yourself enough time to study and re-take the test. Your goal should be to pass on the first attempt but be prepared for a three-try sequence.

To Student Teach in the Spring

The Student Teaching Application Meeting happens in September. You need to pass the test before that meeting. Thus, we recommend:

  • First try: April preceding the September application meeting.
  • Second Try: Summer (June or July) before the September application meeting.
  • Third Try: September of the application meeting. Avoid this situation. You cannot Student Teach in the Spring Semester if you fail.

To Student Teach in the Fall

The Student Teaching Application Meeting happens in January. You need to pass the test before that meeting. Thus, we recommend:

  • First try: Summer (June or July) preceding the January application meeting.
  • Second Try: November preceding the January application meeting.
  • Third Try: January of the application meeting. Avoid this situation. You cannot Student Teach in the Fall Term if you fail.

Student teaching application meeting

Once you have passed your Content Test, plan to attend the appropriately scheduled Student Teaching Application meeting. These meetings are held at the beginning of the term preceding the student teaching term.

Add-on licensure tests

Additional endorsements do make you much more marketable. If you wish to add endorsement areas to your initial license, you can take additional content tests. For example:

  • Early Childhood Education majors - You may want to take both the Early Childhood Birth-8 and Elementary Education K-6 content tests. You may not be qualified to teach in a Colorado elementary school without passing the Elementary Education PRAXIS exam.
  • Art majors - You may want to take the Elementary Education PRAXIS exam if you wish to teach in a Colorado elementary school.
  • Other majors - You might choose to take Social Studies and Language Arts tests, or Science and Math tests, in order to teach in a middle school interdisciplinary team.