Guides: Educator Preparation and Certification: Educator Preparation Program Requirements

Required Exams for Missouri Educators

In this section, you'll find information about required tests for educators. Missouri requirements for entry into educator preparation programs and for certification have changed substantially in the last few years and continue to evolve. As of Spring 2025, the MoGEA test is no longer required.

DESE Certification Site
DESE is Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
PRAXIS Test Requirements for Missouri
Missouri Content Assessments

Certification Requirements for Substitute Teachers and Paraprofessionals

There are different certification requirements for substitute teachers and paraprofessionals in the State of Missouri.

Certification requirements for Substitute Teachers
A Content Substitute certificate may be granted to an individual who has completed a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited, academic degree-granting, college or university. Verification of these hours must be provided with an original transcript from each institution the applicant has attended. International transcripts are evaluated by an approved credentialing agency. More information is available here.

This change from 60 semester hours of credit to 36 semester hours of credit occurred as a part of Senate Bill 681, which was signed by Governor Parsons and became effective as of June, 2022.
Testing requirements for Paraprofessionals