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Teacher Certification Program
Black Hall 128-1

(509) 963-2661
teachercertification@cwu.edu

Required Tests for Final Certification

Washington State requires a basic skills test (WEST-B), a content knowledge test (WEST-E/NES) and evidence of effective teaching (edTPA) to be a certified teacher. For details about each test, please read the information in the drop down items below.

  • WEST-B

    You have to pass the WEST-B (or qualifying SAT/ACT scores) for full admittance to the Teacher Certification Program. Washington State has recently left the minimum score for WEST-B testing up to local control. CWU is still requiring a passing score of 240 or higher on the math and reading subtests and a 235 on the writing subtest for Teacher Certification Program completion and therefore is required for recommendation to OSPI. Please register for this test online through Pearson and select CWU to recieve your scores electronically.

    Study Guide Reading

    Study Guide Writing

    Study Guide Math

    If you do not pass with a 240/235 you must meet a remediation alternative as laid out in the WEST-B Policy Remediation (PDF).

  • WEST-E/NES

    You are ready to take the exit exam(s) upon completing most of your major or minor content courses. You will need to pass all test subjects you wish to be endorsed in. Passing score for NES is 220; passing score for WEST-E is 240. Look at the list online and register for the appropriate test for your course of study. Your subject is either represented by a WEST-E OR NES test. Please register for this test online through Pearson and select CWU to recieve your scores electronically.

  • edTPA

    You will submit your final edTPA to Pearson during/after completion of Student Teaching. CWU is assessing a $425 TeachEd edTPA/Honorarium course fee for your edTPA registration. Teacher Certification will send you a registration code and instructions on how to register. For edTPA support please see the edTPA section in the left menu for more information.

Vouchers

A limited number of vouchers are available to cover the cost of the WEST-B, WEST-E and edTPA assessments. Vouchers will be awarded based on the highest amount of financial need (as determined by CWU’s Financial Aid Office). Vouchers may only be used to waive new registration/test fees. The Teacher Certification Program will email you the result of your application. Do not submit payment for the test until you have been notified by the Teacher Certification Program whether or not you have received a voucher. You may only receive the voucher one time.

To qualify for a voucher applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Be currently enrolled at Central Washington University.
  2. Show financial need, as determined by the CWU Financial Aid Office.
  3. Submit voucher by the specified due date, shown below.
  4. Have not received a previous voucher for a given test.


 

WEST-E/NES or WEST-B Application Dates

IF TEST DATE IS IN APPLICATION DUE
September August 1st
October

September 1st
November October 1st
December November 1st
January December 1st
February January 1st
March February 1st
April March 1st
May April 1st
June May 1st
July June 1st
August July 1st

 

Voucher Values

WEST-B Voucher (up to $96) awarded monthly

WEST-E/NES Voucher (up to $96) awarded monthly

edTPA Voucher ($300) application DUE first day of Student Teaching Quarter

Apply for a testing voucher

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Updated 2/24/2021