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:

Retake Policy for National Evaluation Series™ Tests

Examinees who do not pass a National Evaluation Series™ test or subtest may retake that test or subtest. If you wish to retake a test, you must complete the registration process again. You must wait 30 days before retaking a National Evaluation Series test.

There is no limit to the number of times you may retake any Series test that you have not yet passed. Please note:

• You must wait until the official score report for your previous attempt has been posted until you can register for a retake.
• You must wait 30 days between attempts of the same test.
• If the same test is taken within a 30-day period, your scores on the second attempt will be voided.
• You are strongly encouraged to contact your college, university, or alternative route provider for support between test attempts.

Free Retake Policy for National Evaluation Series™ Tests

For registrations on or after December 5, 2023, candidates who have taken the same National Evaluation Series™ test with the same test code three times and have not yet passed will be able to reregister for the same test at no cost.

Please note the following:

• Any test registration or administration prior to December 5, 2023, will not count toward a free retake.
• You do not need to use a voucher or any special code; the system will automatically allow eligible candidates to reregister for free.
• You may register for free up to 12 months after the release of your most recent score report for the test.
• If you are absent from your test appointment, the absence will not count toward one of the three attempts.
• Please note that to register to retake a test, you must wait to receive your official score report for your previous attempt.
• If a candidate fails to agree to the nondisclosure agreement, their test will end, and they will need to contact Customer Service before they are able to submit a new registration for the same exam.
• If a candidate is revoked from a test due to misconduct, the candidate cannot retake a test for 30 days, and the attempt that was associated with the revocation does not count toward one of the three attempts for Free After Three.

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) (For testing through 7/27/2026)
  • Business and Marketing (168)
  • Chemistry (161) (For testing through 7/27/2026)
  • Computer Science (194)
  • Dance (164)
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing (063)
  • Earth Science (162) (For testing through 7/27/2026)
  • Educational Technology Specialist (071)
  • Gifted Education (064)
  • Health Education (073)
  • Library Media Specialist (074)
  • Literacy (065)
  • Mathematics (004)
  • Music (165)
  • Physical Education (192)
  • Physics (163) (For testing through 7/27/2026)
  • 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.