Puerto Rico BA Special Education / Elementary Education Certification and Exam Requirements
Note: While we do our best to give you accurate and up to date information about your state requirements, we are not infallible. State requirements change frequently. It is your responsibility, and in your best interest, to double check certification and licensure requirements with your state’s Department of Education.
LICESURE AND EXAM REQUIREMENTS
WGU students who want to become certified in Puerto Rico need to first license in Utah after completing their teacher preparation program; a student can then apply for a reciprocal license in Puerto Rico after receiving their Utah license. Refer to the following for specific state requirements: general Utah teacher certification requirements and general Puerto Rico teacher certification requirements.
Certification Available for Graduates of WGU's BA Special Education Program: Early Childhood - Elementary Level K-3, Elementary Education Grades 4-6, and Special Education, K-12
Graduates of WGU's BA Special Education teacher preparation program will be recommended for Early Childhood - Elementary Level K-3 and/or Elementary Education Grades 4-6, and Special Education, K-12 teacher certification in Puerto Rico. Upon certification in these areas, graduates will be qualified to teach in both special education and regular education settings at the elementary level as well as to provide collaborative/consultative services for special education students learning at the secondary level.
Elementary Education/ Special Education Exams and Requirements
Content Exams for Initial Utah Certification:
1. Praxis II 5031, Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects
(OR if passed prior to September 1, 2012: Praxis II 0014 (paper) or 5014 (computer), Elementary Education: Content Knowledge) AND
2. Praxis II 0354 Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications OR PRAXIS II 0543, Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications;
Content Exams for Puerto Rico Certification: PCMAS Prueba de Competencias Profesionales Nivel Elemental
WGU Program Requirement:Praxis II 0543 (paper) or 5543 (computer), Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications (for students who matriculated on 9/1/2011 or after)
WGU students who want to become certified teachers in Puerto Rico need to first license in Utah after completing their teacher preparation program; they can then apply for a reciprocal license in PR after receiving their Utah license. You will need to take the PRAXIS exam required for initial UT licensure in elementary education and special education and the Pruebas de Competencias Profesionales required by Puerto Rico, as well as meet all other general Utah teacher certification requirements and general Puerto Rico teacher certification requirements.
REGISTERING FOR EXAMS
Before registering for the PCMAS and Praxis exams, be sure to review WGU's general policies regarding external certification exams. Praxis exam registration is available through the ETS website at www.ets.org/praxis; PCMAS exam registration is available through the College Board's PCMAS website. The websites will provide you with the test dates available. The minimum required scores for Puerto Rico and Utah can be found by reviewing the PCMAS FAQ Page and the UT Praxis Exam Requirements.
SUBMITTING SCORES
Submit your exam scores to WGU and the Utah State Office of Education.
DEMONSTRATION TEACHING REQUIREMENT
16 weeks divided between elementary and special education, as determined by WGU.
CERTIFICATION APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Information on how to submit direct application to Puerto Rico for initial teacher certification upon completion of your WGU program is available in the Puerto Rico Teacher Certification Application Information article in this handbook.
1/2015
Article Number : 20091, 2627
