Praxis Test Virginia: Requirements, Dates & Prep

So, you’re thinking about becoming a teacher in Virginia? That’s fantastic. One of the big steps on that journey is taking the Praxis Test Virginia, a requirement for many aspiring educators across the U.S.—and Virginia is no exception. But don’t worry—it’s not as scary as it sounds.

The Praxis Test is a series of exams designed to measure the knowledge and skills you need to start teaching. 

It checks that you know your stuff, whether it’s math, reading, writing, or the content you’ll be teaching in your classroom. If you’re prepping for it, using a Praxis test Virginia practice resource can make a big difference.

In Virginia, passing the appropriate Praxis exam Virginia is often a key part of getting your teaching certification Virginia. 

Depending on what and where you want to teach (elementary, middle school, high school), the test you need might differ—but they all play a part in proving you’re ready to lead a classroom.

Begin your Praxis VA journey today—know the Praxis Virginia requirements, complete your Praxis test Virginia sign up, and use proven study resources from Prepsaret to succeed.

Virginia Praxis Requirements

In Virginia, educator licensure isn’t one-size-fits-all. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) decides what exams are needed based on the subject and grade level you want to teach. 

So before you register, you’ll need to understand which Praxis test Virginia fits your goals.

Let’s break it down.

Choosing the Right Praxis Exam for Your License Type

There are three main types of Praxis tests you might need:

• Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators – Think of this as your basic skills test. It covers reading, writing, and math. You may need it for entry into a teacher preparation program or early in your licensure process. When comparing your options, it helps to understand the difference between Praxis Core vs Subject Tests to ensure you’re preparing for the right format.
• Praxis Subject Assessments – These are subject-specific exams that measure your knowledge of the topic you’ll teach—like biology, Praxis test Virginia Elementary education, or history.
• Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) – This one checks how well you understand pedagogy: the “how” of teaching.

So, how do you pick?

Let’s say you’re aiming to teach elementary school. You’d likely take the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (5001) exam. If you’re going into secondary English, then English Language Arts: Content Knowledge (5038) is probably on your to-do list.

Still unsure? Always double-check with the VDOE website. They keep the official list of Virginia Praxis requirements and Virginia teaching license test options by subject and grade level. 

You can also download the official Praxis test Virginia PDF guides from ETS for detailed test information.

Check this out: Praxis 5001 Practice Test

How to Register for the Praxis Test in Virginia

Ready to sign up? Registering is super straightforward. You’ll do it all through the ETS (Educational Testing Service) website, which manages the ETS Praxis Virginia program.

Create an account, choose your test and date, and pay online. You’ll also select whether you want to take the test in person or online at home, if that option is available for your exam. 

This entire Praxis registration Virginia process takes only a few minutes, and you’ll receive email confirmation right after.

Where to Take the Praxis Test in Virginia

You’ve got two main options for taking the test:

• At an ETS-authorized test center – These are located in cities all across Virginia, including Richmond, Norfolk, Fairfax, Roanoke, and Charlottesville.
• Online at home – If your exam is eligible, this flexible option lets you test from the comfort of your room, provided you meet the tech and room requirements.

Regardless of the format, make sure you’re test-day ready. That means bringing a valid photo ID, your test confirmation email, and any other documents ETS asks for. Showing up without the right items could mean rescheduling—and extra fees.

Virginia offers a variety of Praxis testing centers across the state, ensuring convenient access for aspiring educators. Whether you’re in a major city or a smaller town, you’ll find well-equipped locations ready to support your Praxis VA journey.

Here’s a list of Praxis testing centers in Virginia:

• Abingdon – Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, One Partnership Drive
• Alexandria – Brainseed Testing Center, 205 S. Whiting Street
• Alexandria – Brainseed Testing Center
• Annandale – Evergreen Academy, 7700 Little River Turnpike
• Annandale – Northern Virginia Community College – Ced, 7630 Little River Turnpike
• Bristol – Bristol – Lee Highway, 2426 Lee Highway
• Centreville – Ivy Christian College, 13890 Braddock Rd.
• Charlottesville – University of Virginia
• Chesapeake – Hampton Roads – Chesapeake, 660 Independence Parkway
• Chesapeake – Hampton Roads – Chesapeake, 660 Independence Parkway
• Emory – Emory and Henry College
• Fairfax – Ivy Christian College, 9401 Mathy Drive
• Falls Church – Washington DC – Falls Church, 800 W. Broad St.
• Falls Church – Washington DC – Falls Church, 800 W. Broad St.
• Glen Allen – Richmond – Glen Allen, 11547 Nuckols Road
• Glen Allen – Richmond – Glen Allen, 11547 Nuckols Road
• Harrisonburg – James Madison University, Ashby Hall (basement)
• Herndon – Nextec Inc., 205 Van Buren Street
• Lynchburg – Liberty University
• Lynchburg – Liberty University, 1971 University Boulevard
• Lynchburg – Lynchburg – Timberlake Road, 8116 Timberlake Rd.
• Midlothian – Peak Institute, 1 Park West Circle
• Norfolk – Old Dominion University, 1262 W. 43rd St.
• Norfolk – Old Dominion University
• Radford – Radford University
• Richmond – Virginia Commonwealth University
• Richmond – Global Institute of Technology Services, 1311 High Point Ave.
• Roanoke – Roanoke Higher Education Center, 108 N. Jefferson Street
• Roanoke – Roanoke Higher Education Center
• Roanoke – Roanoke – Electric Road, 2727 Electric Rd.
• Sterling – American Test Centers, 21495 Ridgetop Circle
• Virginia Beach – C and L Solutions Testing Center, Mount Trashmore, Office Park
• Winchester – Shenandoah University
• Wise – University of Virginia at Wise

Praxis Test Costs and Accommodations in Virginia

Let’s talk about money. Most Praxis exams cost between $90 and $150. The Praxis test Virginia cost may vary depending on the subject and structure—some tests, like the Praxis Core, can be taken as a combined format to save money. 

Keep in mind that changes to testing locations or dates can incur extra fees, so plan wisely during your Praxis registration Virginia process.

Virginia educators-to-be can also receive testing accommodations if they have documented disabilities or health-related needs.

Available Testing Accommodations in Virginia

ETS Praxis offers a range of accommodations to make sure every test-taker has a fair chance to succeed. These can include:

• Extended testing time
• Separate testing rooms
• Screen reader technology
• Breaks for medical needs

To request accommodations, you’ll need to apply directly through ETS, which requires submitting documentation. Don’t leave this until the last minute—approval can take a few weeks, and you’ll want everything in place well before your test day.

Read on: Praxis Tutoring

Virginia Praxis Passing Scores

In Virginia, passing the Praxis isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) decides the minimum scores you’ll need to pass, and these scores vary depending on which test you’re taking. 

Knowing the passing scores for Praxis exams specific to Virginia can help you plan your preparation strategy.

Let’s look at a few examples so you get the idea:

• If you’re taking the Praxis Core Math, you’ll need to score at least 150.
• For the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects exam, the required Virginia Praxis passing scores vary by each subtest—so you might pass one section but need to retake another.

Simple enough, right? But here’s the smart move: always check the VDOE website for the latest Praxis scores Virginia chart. They occasionally update the required benchmarks, and you don’t want to be caught off guard studying the wrong numbers.

Try this out: Praxis Core Reading (5713) Free Questions

Praxis Score Submission and Retakes in Virginia

Okay, so you’ve taken the test—now what? Let’s talk about how your scores get to the right place and what happens if you didn’t quite hit the mark.

First, if you selected the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) as a score recipient during registration, your scores will be automatically sent there. 

No extra clicks needed. Easy! This is a key step in the education licensure Virginia process—making sure your results go directly to the people who need them.

As for the timing: most Praxis scores are released 10 to 16 days after you test, depending on the exam. You’ll get an email when your results are ready to view online, and they’ll be used to determine whether you’ve met the Virginia teacher exam guide requirements.

Now, what if you didn’t pass on your first try? It’s totally okay—many great teachers didn’t either. Here’s how retakes work in Virginia:

You’ll need to wait 28 days before retaking the same test, but there’s no limit on how many times you can try again. Just note that a retake fee applies each time. 

This flexibility is helpful when navigating teacher credentialing tests, especially when balancing prep time and work or school commitments.

Pro tip: Don’t just retake it blindly. Look at your score report. It gives you a breakdown of where you were strong and where you need a bit more work. 

Focus your study time on those weaker areas, and you’ll bounce back better prepared! This is where targeted Praxis test prep Virginia resources can really make a difference.

Learn more: How Long Does It Take to Get Praxis Scores Back?

Praxis Test Preparation Resources for Virginia Test-Takers

Let’s be honest—nobody likes a surprise on test day. Preparing properly not only helps you pass but also makes you feel more confident walking into the exam room.

And the good news? You don’t need to go it alone. There are tons of free and paid tools built specifically to help you crush the Praxis test in Virginia, including understanding the difference between Praxis Core vs Praxis Subject test in Virginia. 

The Core focuses on foundational skills like reading, writing, and math, while Subject Tests zero in on your specific teaching area—both crucial for meeting Praxis Virginia requirements.

Free and Paid Study Tools for Virginia Praxis Exams

You’ll find a goldmine of free resources out there, including:

• ETS Study Companions – These are official guides that explain what’s on the test and include sample questions.
• YouTube tutorials and Quizlet sets – Great for quick reviews, tips, and concept reinforcement.

But if you need more structure or deeper practice, paid options are worth the investment:

• Online courses like Prepsaret and Teachers Test Prep walk you through lessons, quizzes, and test strategies. Many even offer dedicated tracks for online Praxis test Virginia takers.
• Printed Praxis study guides and workbooks are great for those who like hands-on learning.
• Some packages include practice exam bundles to simulate the real test environment.

Why use these tools? Because they work!

Structured resources give you realistic practice under timed conditions, a clear view of what’s actually on the exam, and strategies designed to help Virginia test-takers like you succeed faster—no matter where you are on your education licensure Virginia journey.

Continue reading: Best Praxis Study Resources

Praxis Test Virginia: FAQs