ParaPro Test Requirements by State
Find the certification requirements, passing scores, and registration process for paraprofessionals in your state. Select your state below to get started.
Select Your State
Alabama
ACT WorkKeys: at least Level 3 on Applied Math, Workplace Documents, and Business Writing (ALSDE minimum; a district may set a higher score).
Alaska
459 (retired ParaPro), or WorkKeys Level 4 Workplace Documents, Level 4 Applied Math, Level 3 Graphic Literacy
Arizona
459 (retired ParaPro), or the WorkKeys score your district requires (ADE publishes no WorkKeys level)
Arkansas
457 on the retired ParaPro scale
California
Varies by district (retired ParaPro: ETS lists district scores from 445 to 460)
Colorado
Set by each district (CDE names no score; ETS lists 460 on the retired ParaPro scale)
Connecticut
457 on the retired ParaPro scale
Delaware
459 on the retired ParaPro scale
District of Columbia
ParaPathways 332 (Reading and Writing) and 334 (Mathematics), ETS state list
Florida
Set by each district; ETS lists district scores on the retired ParaPro, from 440 to 464 (457 is the most common)
Georgia
A scaled score of 220 or higher on the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment (test 349)
Hawaii
457 on the retired ParaPro scale
Idaho
460 on the retired ParaPro scale
Illinois
460 (ParaPro), or a score of 4 on both ACT WorkKeys Applied Math and Workplace Documents (Reading for Information). ETS retired the ParaPro after August 31, 2026 and replaced it with the ParaPathways Assessment, which states adopt on their own timelines; an already-earned ParaPro score still counts.
Indiana
332 (Reading and Writing, 5758) and 334 (Mathematics, 5759) on ParaPathways, the cut scores the Indiana State Board approved; ask the school corporation how it applies them and what it needs for an earlier score on the retired ParaPro
Iowa
Varies by district (Common benchmark: 455 on the retired ParaPro scale)
Kansas
455 on the retired ParaPro scale (KSDE's statewide passing score) or ACT WorkKeys Level 4 on all three tests (Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, Workplace Documents)
Kentucky
At least 48 of 60 questions correct on the Kentucky Paraeducator Assessment (KPA)
Louisiana
332 on Reading and Writing (5758) and 334 on Mathematics (5759) for ParaPathways; 450 for a score earned on the retired ParaPro before August 31, 2026 (Louisiana Bulletin 746, §2103)
Maine
459 on the retired ParaPro scale (the qualifying score ETS lists for Maine; submit proof to the hiring SAU's superintendent)
Maryland
455 on the retired ParaPro scale (Statewide minimum set by MSDE)
Massachusetts
464 on the retired ParaPro scale (required by DESE); or WorkKeys Workplace Documents 5, Applied Mathematics 4 and Business Writing 3; or 220 on the Pearson FOCSI
Michigan
460 on the retired ParaPro scale (required by MDE), or SAT at least 480 on evidence-based reading and writing and 530 on math
Minnesota
455 on the retired ParaPro scale (the qualifying score ETS lists for Minnesota; districts may ask for more)
Mississippi
ACT WorkKeys: Reading for Information 4, Applied Mathematics 4, and Writing or Business Writing 3 (MDE guidance)
Missouri
Set by the hiring district; DESE publishes no passing score (ETS lists 322 on Reading and Writing and 325 on Mathematics for ParaPathways)
Montana
Set by each district (no statewide score); ETS lists Hamilton School District at 450 on the retired ParaPro scale
Nebraska
456 on the retired ParaPro scale (the passing score in NDE's Title I-A paraprofessional requirements)
Nevada
455 on the retired ParaPro (NAC 391.760), or an alternative assessment approved by the State Board
New Hampshire
460 on the retired ParaPro scale (the statewide qualifying score ETS lists for New Hampshire)
New Jersey
456 on the retired ParaPro scale (the qualifying score ETS lists for New Jersey; districts may ask for more)
New Mexico
457 on the retired ParaPro scale (NMPED's Level 3 score)
New York
205 on the Foundations of Classroom Support and Instruction (519) test for tests taken on or after Sept. 28, 2026 (220 for tests taken through Sept. 27, 2026); an earlier ATAS (095) pass still counts
North Carolina
Set by each district; ask the hiring district which assessment it accepts and what score it requires
North Dakota
ParaPathways: 332 (Reading and Writing) and 334 (Mathematics)
Ohio
456 on the retired ParaPro scale
Oklahoma
457 on the retired ParaPro (OSDE), or Level 3 on all three ACT WorkKeys assessments
Oregon
Set by each district (ODE names no specific test or score; ETS lists 455 on the retired ParaPro scale)
Pennsylvania
455 on the retired ParaPro scale (PDE-recommended minimum; districts/IUs may set their own via local assessment)
Rhode Island
332 (Reading and Writing) and 334 (Mathematics) on ParaPathways; RIDE approves only ParaPathways since March 1, 2026
South Carolina
456 on the retired ParaPro scale
South Dakota
ParaPathways: 332 (Reading and Writing) and 334 (Mathematics)
Tennessee
ParaPathways: 332 (Reading and Writing) and 334 (Mathematics)
Texas
455-467 on the retired ParaPro (district-set; no statewide passing score)
Utah
460 on the retired ParaPro scale
Vermont
457 on the retired ParaPro scale (common district benchmark; no statewide score — each SU/SD sets its own)
Virginia
455 on the retired ParaPro scale
Washington
455 on the retired ParaPro scale
West Virginia
ETS lists ParaPathways qualifying scores of 332 (Reading and Writing, 5758) and 334 (Mathematics, 5759) for West Virginia; ask the county which tests it requires and whether it accepts an earlier score on the retired ParaPro
Wisconsin
460 on the retired ParaPro scale
Wyoming
Each of 48 districts verifies that paraprofessionals are highly qualified and sets its own requirements; ETS lists 462 as Wyoming's ParaPro qualifying score. ParaPro was last administered Aug 31, 2026; an already-earned score still counts
Understanding ParaPro Requirements
The ParaPro Assessment is a standardized test required by many states for paraprofessional certification. Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), paraprofessionals working in Title I programs must meet specific qualification requirements.
Three Pathways to Qualification
Associate's Degree
Hold an AA, AS, or higher degree from an accredited institution.
College Credits
Complete 48+ semester hours of college coursework.
Pass Assessment
Pass the ETS paraprofessional assessment or state-approved exam.
Ready to Prepare for Your ParaPro Test?
Access free practice tests and study guides to prepare for your exam.