The Praxis I exam, or PPST, is a test of general knowledge like the SAT or ACT. It or an equivalent test (see below) is required for entrance into the Teacher Education Program Phase I (TEP I) for undergraduate teacher licensure candidates. Candidates who fail any section of the Praxis I exam twice should see The administrative assistant in the School of Education and Public Service, 103 Bone Hall,  for information on an alternative test. It is required for teacher licensure by the State Department of Education.

To enter the School of Education's undergraduate Teacher Education Progression (for anyone intending to gain a teacher's license through student teaching), you must pass each of the three sections of the Praxis I. Candidates who have a 21 or better on the ACT or a 1020 or better on the SAT are exempt.

Candidates in the Master's of Arts in Teaching program seeking initial licensure are exempt from the Praxis I exam requirements with their Bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year university, and their satisfactory performance on the MAT or GRE.

All candidates for a Tennessee teacher's license must pass several Praxis II exams. Which tests depends on the type of licensure sought, though all candidates for licensure must pass one of the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) tests for the grade level they wish to teach. Be advised that Praxis Requirements are change periodically at the state level to ensure adequate teacher preparation. Teacher Education Candidates are responsible for knowing which tests are required for the type of licensure and endorsement they desire.To determine which other tests are required for the type of license you seek, click here, and scroll down the page (licensure types are listed alphabetically).

·	For undergraduate teacher licensure candidates, passing all of the Praxis II exams required for the type of licensure they seek is necessary for entry into the Teacher Education Progression Phase II (TEP II) the semester prior to student teaching (one failing score on a test may be allowed).

·	Graduate candidates for initial teacher licensure must pass the content area test  before completing 12 hours in their graduate program. Click here to see a list of the required Praxis II content exams by licensure.

·	Graduate candidates in the Educational Leadership program must pass the School Leadership Licensure Assessment as a requirement for completing the program.

TEP II interviews are held the semester prior to student teaching. Therefore, if you intend to student teach in a Fall semester, you must have passed all Praxis II exams by March of that year. If you intend to student teach in a Spring semester, you must have passed all Praxis II exams by September the previous year.