Oregon Teaching License – ORELA
This post discusses how to get an Oregon teaching license.
You may need to take either the ORELA or Praxis exams in order to apply for an Oregon teaching license.
Further information on how to register and study for the ORELA exams can be found on the official ORELA website at the following link:
Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments
Oregon Teaching License – Praxis
Information on how to take the Praxis exams can be found on the Praxis website at the following link:
Praxis Teacher Certification Test – Oregon
Praxis formerly offered all of Oregon’s subject knowledge tests.
In the past, teachers sometimes erroneously took a Praxis subject matter test before checking that is was still the correct test.
So, you have to be sure that you are taking the correct exam prior to registering to take the exam.
Oregon Teaching License – Other Exams
In addition to the subject knowledge exam, you must also take the two following exams in the state of Oregon:
- Civil Rights Exam
- Basic Skills Exams
Oregon Teaching License – Civil Rights Exam
You have to submit a passing score on the approved civil rights exam before receiving an initial Oregon teaching license.
Information on the civil rights exam, called the Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment exam, is only offered through ORELA.
If you have a license from another state, you may be given additional time to complete the Oregon civil rights exam.
Oregon Teaching License – Basic Skills Exams
You also have to pass one of the following Basic Skills Exams as evidence of competence in reading, writing, and mathematics:
- ORELA: Essential Academic Skills (EAS) Exam
- Praxis Core
- California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST)
- Washington Educator Skills Test – Basic (WEST-B)
A doctorate degree will waive the basic skills exam requirement.
If you are already licensed in another state, you may be exempt from the basic skills exam requirement.
For further information, please visit the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission by clicking on the link below:
Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
Oregon Teaching License – Further Information
The Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) does not administer teacher certification tests.
The Oregon TSPC has agreements with both Pearson and ETS to administer subject knowledge tests for teachers seeking and Oregon Teaching License.
The Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) are administered by National Evaluation Services (NES), Pearson Inc.
Praxis exams are administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS) on behalf of the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.
NOTE: This webpage is not affiliated with ORELA, NES, Pearson Inc, Praxis, ETS, the State of Oregon or any official state or examination body.