Praxis
What Is the Praxis Exam?
What the Praxis test series is, who ETS and ESPB each control, and how North Dakota uses Praxis scores on the path to a teaching license.
| Test vendor | Educational Testing Service (ETS) |
|---|---|
| North Dakota board | ESPB |
| State score code | 7848 |
Sources checked November 2026
Sections21
- Plain definition
- What ETS controls
- What ESPB controls
- How a pass reaches your license file
- Who must take Praxis in North Dakota
- Relationship to college programs
- Core vs content vs PLT
- History of the name
- Fees and rescheduling
- Program approval letters
- Renewal versus initial licensure
- Social Security number on ETS registration
- Military and international candidates
- School staff taking Praxis
- Test anxiety resources
- After you pass
- Naming on applications
- Next step
- Comparisons to other teacher tests
- Trademark note
- Sources checked November 2026
Plain definition
Praxis is a family of teacher certification exams from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Tests cover Core basic skills, subject exams such as 5165, and pedagogy exams such as PLT 5622. Each exam has a four-digit code such as 5713 or 5205.
North Dakota does not write the questions. The Education Standards and Practices Board chooses which codes candidates must pass and the qualifying scores that mark a pass for state license purposes.
What ETS controls
ETS designs items and runs delivery. It also sends score reports. Registration, fees, and retest rules live on praxis.ets.org. ETS maintains the North Dakota requirements pages that mirror state lists.
What ESPB controls
ESPB publishes North Dakota qualifying scores, Core composite rules, and instructions for uploading PDFs with license applications on nd.gov/espb. ESPB decides whether your endorsement needs 5017, 5165, 5205, or another code entirely.
How a pass reaches your license file
You register with ETS and pick tests. Add recipient 7848 when the overview requires it. After the exam, ETS marks passed or not passed against the North Dakota qualifying score for your test date. You may still email a PDF to espbinfo@nd.gov or upload scores with your license file (ESPB testing information; ETS North Dakota overview).
The ETS North Dakota overview (November 2026) states ESPB does not receive score reports on its own. Candidates should upload scores with license or endorsement applications. Automatic transmission to ESPB happens only when you test in North Dakota at a center or at home and your Praxis profile address is in North Dakota. Outside that case, add ESPB (state code 7848) when you register or buy extra score reports.
Who must take Praxis in North Dakota
Teacher candidates must take Praxis tests, per ETS. Colleges may require Core Academic Skills for Educators tests before a preparation program. In North Dakota, candidates also take Praxis Subject Assessments for each certification area they seek on the same overview page. Out-of-state applicants with reciprocal licenses follow separate ESPB rules linked from that overview.
Relationship to college programs
North Dakota teacher preparation programs often align coursework with Praxis objectives, but the exam is not a class final. Candidates from out-of-state or alternate routes may face tests their transcripts never mentioned. The requirements finder bridges that gap.
Core vs content vs PLT
| Series | Examples | Typical North Dakota use |
|---|---|---|
| Core Academic Skills | 5713, 5723, 5733 | All new teachers |
| Content knowledge | 5017, 5165, 5038 | Endorsement-specific |
| Pedagogy (PLT) | 5622, 5624 | Matches grade band |
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Details for each code sit on dedicated pages linked from the Praxis section front.
History of the name
ETS retired older PPST and branded the current Core Academic Skills for Educators series alongside hundreds of content exams. North Dakota rules now reference Core codes; do not register retired tests because a blog post calls them "classic Praxis."
Fees and rescheduling
Every appointment carries a registration fee set on the product page. Reschedule and change fees also live in the ETS policy pages linked from praxis.ets.org. Budget for at least one reschedule in case student teaching hours shift.
Program approval letters
Universities issue letters listing required tests before student teaching. Compare each code on that letter with the ETS North Dakota list the same week. Programs update slowly when states change cuts.
Renewal versus initial licensure
This article focuses on initial licensure candidates. Educators adding endorsements later may face different checklists even though the same ETS account holds older passes.
Social Security number on ETS registration
North Dakota requires a Social Security number (SSN) on certification paperwork. ETS will send the SSN to the state with your results. Missing the SSN can delay the license packet (ETS North Dakota overview, November 2026).
Military and international candidates
Candidates with overseas addresses should read ETS id rules and ESPB residency rules separately. Testing logistics differ from in-state student teachers living near a single center.
School staff taking Praxis
Paraprofessionals and career changers use the same ETS system as traditional undergraduates. Account type does not change how North Dakota applies qualifying scores.
Test anxiety resources
ETS lists standard procedures; your university counseling center may offer timed practice sessions. Those sessions explain what Praxis is mechanically, which lowers surprises even before you memorize content.
After you pass
Passing Praxis does not by itself issue a license. ESPB still reviews transcripts, background checks, and program completion. Treat exams as one checkpoint in a longer packet.
Naming on applications
Use the same spelling on ETS, university forms, and ESPB paperwork. Middle initials prevent false duplicate records.
Next step
Open the requirements finder and list your codes before buying prep.
Comparisons to other teacher tests
Some specialties in North Dakota may reference non-Praxis exams on rare pathways. If your checklist shows another assessment brand, read that page instead of assuming Praxis covers it.
Trademark note
ETS states that trademarks belong to their respective owners (ETS Praxis pages, November 2026). North Dakota PD is independent and not endorsed by ETS or ESPB.
New test takers can start with our Praxis study guides and Praxis practice tests comparisons.
Sources checked November 2026
General explainer sources: ETS Praxis home, ETS North Dakota required tests, ETS North Dakota overview, and ESPB testing information.
Quick answers
Is Praxis the only teacher test in North Dakota?
ESPB also accepts certain other national exams for some areas, but Praxis dominates the lists on ETS North Dakota pages. Read your specific checklist.
Do all states use the same Praxis scores?
No. Each state agency sets its own qualifying scores even when the test code is identical.