The MTTC Subject Area Tests are mandated by the State of Michigan to assess competencies in the major(s)/minor(s) for which students are seeking certification.

The Michigan Legislature passed an amendment to Public Act 451 in 1986 that called for all teaching candidates to pass subject area tests before being recommended for a teaching certificate. The MTTC subject area tests were developed to carry out this law. Please note: You cannot be recommended for a teaching certificate until you have passed the necessary subject area tests.

Elementary Certification

Students following the 2010-11 Bulletin or earlier (OLD program)
To be recommended for certification, candidates for the elementary certificate have two choices regarding the MTTC subject area tests.

1. Take and pass the Elementary Education test #83 only. The last test date to take this test is July 2013. If you choose this option, you will be certified to teach only grades K-5 all subjects or K-8 in a self-contained classroom.
2. Take and pass the Elementary Education test #83 AND the additional test or tests for your signed subject major and/or minors. If you choose this option, you will be certified to teach grades 6-8 in that content area in addition to grades K-5 all subjects or K-8 in a self-contained classroom. For example, Elementary Education #83, plus Language Arts test #90.
   

Students following the 2011-12 Bulletin or later (NEW program)
To be recommended for certification, candidates for the elementary certificate have two choices regarding the MTTC subject area tests.

1. Take and pass the Elementary Education tests #103 and #104 only. This test will be available October 2013. If you choose this option, you will be certified to teach only grades K-5 all subjects or K-8 in a self-contained classroom.
2. Take and pass the Elementary Education test #103 AND the additional test or tests for your signed subject major and/or minors. If you choose this option, you will be certified to teach grades 6-8 in that content area in addition to grades K-5 all subjects or K-8 in a self-contained classroom. For example, Elementary Education #103, plus Language Arts test #90.

Refer to the MTTC Subject Area Test Code Reference Sheet for the tests that correspond to your subject major and or minors. Note that there is NOT a subject test for the Planned Program minor (OLD program). Contact the Center for Student Services with any questions about which test to take.

NOTE: If you pass a subject test for a major or minor after your certificate has been issued, you must contact the Center for Student Services for the procedure to have that subject endorsement added to your certificate. This is not an automatic procedure.

Secondary Certification

To be recommended for certification, candidates for the secondary certificate must pass at least the MTTC subject area test in the signed major and will be certified to teach only that subject in grades 6-12 (or in grades K-12 if you completed one of the K-12 program majors).

1. With a double major you must pass the MTTC subject area test in at least one of your majors to be recommended for certification.
2. Passing the MTTC subject area test in your minor is optional; however, you will not be certified in that subject until the test has been passed.

Refer to the MTTC Subject Area Test Code Reference Sheet for the tests that correspond to your subject major and or minors. Note that there is NOT a subject test for the Outdoor and Environmental Education minor. Contact the Center for Student Services with any questions about which test to take.

NOTE: If you pass a subject test for a major or minor after your certificate has been issued, you must contact the Center for Student Services for the procedure to have that subject endorsement added to your certificate. This is not an automatic procedure.

Elementary Special Education Certification

To be recommended for certification, Special Education majors pursuing the elementary provisional certification must pass subject area tests in the following:

1. The special education major (either CI or EI) AND must also pass
2. The Elementary Education test #83 to be recommended for certification.
3. Optionally, additional test or tests for signed subject major and/or minors will expand certification to include grades 6-8 for that subject area in addition to the validity of the elementary certificate for K-5 in all subjects or K-8 in a self-contained classroom.

Refer to the MTTC Subject Area Test Code Reference Sheet for the tests that correspond to your Special Education major and any subject minors. Contact the Center for Student Services with any questions about which test to take.

NOTE: If you pass a subject test for a major or minor after your certificate has been issued, you must contact the Center for Student Services for the procedure to have that subject endorsement added to your certificate. This is not an automatic procedure.

Secondary Special Education Certification

To be recommended for certification, Special Education majors pursuing the secondary provisional certification must pass subject area tests in the following:

1. The special education major (either CI or EI) The candidate who has passed only the test for CI or EI will be certified to teach only Special Education (CI or EI) in grades K-12.
2. Optionally, passing additional subject test/s for signed subject major and/or minors will expand certification to include grades 6-12 for the additional subject area/s (or in grades K-12 if you completed an additional K-12 program major).

Refer to the MTTC Subject Area Test Code Reference Sheet for the tests that correspond to Special Education majors and any subject majors/minors. Contact the Center for Student Services with any questions about which test to take.

NOTE: If you pass a subject test for a major or minor after your certificate has been issued, you must contact the Center for Student Services for the procedure to have that subject endorsement added to your certificate. This is not an automatic procedure.

Important Information About the MTTC

• Register for a test date that is late enough in your program in order to complete as much of your major(s)/minor(s) coursework as possible. Be sure the test results are sent using the "07" CMU institution code. It is not necessary to complete the test(s) prior to student teaching but the subject area test(s) must be completed prior to certification. Registration deadlines are approximately six weeks prior to the testing dates. There are "late" registration options with additional fees and limited seating.
  
  
• Certification in Michigan requires completion of a teachable major(s)/minor(s) along with passing the corresponding subject area test(s). Testing alone does not qualify for an endorsement to teach that subject.
  
  
• You may register for and take more than one test at the same site on the same date. You may also space the tests over more than one test date, if you so desire.
  
  
• A passing score on a subject area test will remain valid for a period of five years from the test date, i.e., April, 2007 to April, 2012, for the purpose of the recommendation for initial certification or for an additional endorsement to an existing certificate. Once the subject area endorsement has been issued for a teaching certificate, the teacher is not required to retake the MTTC test in that subject area.
  
  
• The state requires you to take the tests, if available. Check the MTTC Subject Area Test Code Reference Sheet on the preceding page carefully for tests in your major and minor fields. If you do not find a test for your major or minor check with CSS, EHS 421, to make sure the test you need is not listed under another subject.
  
  
• You may order or download study guides for the subject area tests from the testing company. An order form is available in the MTTC Registration Bulletin online at www.mttc.nesinc.com.
  
  
• The law requires that you pass all tests in the areas in which you will be certified to teach before you receive a teaching certificate. The state does allow several retakes without penalty; however, you will be charged a fee by the testing company for each test you retake. The MTTC is available only in Michigan. If you leave the state before passing a subject area test, you will have to return to Michigan on one of the five scheduled test dates to take it if you desire Michigan certification.