Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examination (MTLE)

General MTLE Information

Teacher candidates seeking licensure must complete three sets of tests:

• Essential Academic Skills
• Pedagogy
• Content Area exams

You must pass the three Essential Academic Skills tests to be eligible to student teach and ALL exams in order to be eligible for a Minnesota teaching license. You may retake the subtests until you obtain a passing score.

• The Essential Academic Skills Examination includes three subtests: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Candidates must take and pass all three subtests to qualify for a Minnesota license. You may take one, two, or all three subtests at one test appointment.
• There are two levels for which you can take the two subtests of the Pedagogy exams: Elementary (K-6), and Secondary (5-12).
• For each license you are seeking, you must complete Content Area tests (you can find out more here).
• Please save your score report and email your score report to the Division of Education at ummed@morris.umn.edu.

Test Dates and Sites

Computer-based tests are available by appointment, year-round, Monday through Saturday (excluding holidays) at test centers across the state and nationwide.

• MTLE testing dates offered by the UMN Morris Test Center

The UMN Morris Test Center is located on the second floor of Behmler Hall.

Registration

• Testing Registration and Scheduling Instructions
• Student teaching EAS Appeal Policy

If you need to retake a test you may do so in 30 days. Examinees who have failed a subtest three times may be eligible for a fee voucher for subsequent attempts. Pearson Education will contact you directly with information about the voucher/testing fee.

If you think you are entitled to a free retake voucher but have not received one, contact Evaluation Systems before registering to test.

Test Preparation

The MTLE website provides test preparation materials and links.

The Student Success Center provides several types of support for MTLE Essential Academic Skills exams. For some tests, there are written materials available, tutoring services, or coaching.

There are MTLE test preparation materials available for purchase.

Many states have competency exams for beginning teachers that are designed to assess similar competencies to those in the MTLE. Below are links to study materials from several states. These materials may be helpful to you, but please remember that they are not designed specifically to meet Minnesota’s standards.

• California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST)
• Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE)
• Michigan State Teachers Certification Exam (MTTC)

Test Accomodations

Examinees with documented disabilities, examinees for whom English is not a primary language, and examinees whose religious practices prevent them from testing on Saturdays may be eligible for alternative testing arrangements.

Note: This process will take several weeks, so be sure to register early.