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.
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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 all subtests 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.
If you do not pass with a 240 you must meet a remediation alternative as laid out in the WEST-B Policy Remediation (PDF).
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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.
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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:
- Be currently enrolled at Central Washington University.
- Show financial need, as determined by the CWU Financial Aid Office.
- Submit voucher by the specified due date, shown below.
- 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
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Updated 2/24/2021