Retake Policy

Candidates who do not pass a test may retake it until a passing score is achieved. Candidates must reregister each time they retake a test.

Please note the following retake guidelines:

Multi-Subject Tests

There are four Multi-Subject tests available for four different grade levels. Each Multi-Subject test has three parts. Part Three is shared by all four Multi-Subject tests; therefore, if you are seeking more than one certificate that requires passing a Multi-Subject test, you need to pass Part Three only once. The retake policy for the Multi-Subject parts is indicated below.

• You must wait 60 days after taking the following Multi-Subject parts before retaking the same part:
  • Multi-Subject: Teachers of Middle Childhood (Grade 5–Grade 9) Parts One and Two (231 & 232)
  • Multi-Subject: Secondary Teachers (Grade 7–Grade 12) Parts One and Two (241 & 244)
• You must wait 30 days after taking the following Multi-Subject parts before retaking the same part:
  • Multi-Subject: Teachers of Early Childhood (Birth–Grade 2) Parts One and Two (211 & 246)
  • Multi-Subject: Teachers of Childhood (Grade 1–Grade 6) Parts One and Two (221 & 222)
  • Multi-Subject Part Three: Arts and Sciences (245)

Other NYSTCE Tests

• You must wait 60 days after taking the following tests before retaking the same test:
  • Biology (160)
  • Business and Marketing (168)
  • Chemistry (161)
  • Dance (164)
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing (063)
  • Earth Science (162)
  • Educational Technology Specialist (071)
  • Gifted Education (064)
  • Health Education (073)
  • Library Media Specialist (074)
  • Literacy (065)
  • Mathematics (004)
  • Music (165)
  • Physical Education (076) (for testing through 12/1/2024)
  • Physical Education (192) (for testing 12/2/2024 and after)
  • Physics (163)
  • Technology Education (118)
  • Theater (166)
  • Visual Arts (167)
• You must wait 60 days after taking a safety net test/assessment before retaking the same test.
• You must wait 30 days after taking all other NYSTCE tests before retaking the same test.

Candidates who have passed a NYSTCE test have met that part of the testing requirement for certification and, therefore, are not eligible to retake the test unless the candidate is retaking the test to meet the requirement for a Reissuance of their Initial certificate.