The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA) is pleased to announce a simplified process for evaluating advanced degrees for exceptions to subject area tests required for initial teacher certification. This change is designed to reduce barriers for highly qualified individuals entering the profession while maintaining Oklahoma’s high standards for educator preparation.
Under Title 70 O.S. § 6-187.v2, the State Board of Education may grant an exception to the subject area exam requirement for initial certification in fields that do not require an advanced degree if the candidate holds a graduate degree from an accredited institution in a subject that is substantially comparable to the content assessed by the exam. The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability (CEQA) provides the necessary information to the State Board to determine comparability.
Rather than reviewing transcripts on a case-by-case basis, CEQA will now approve potential exemptions at the degree level. For example, candidates with a master’s degree in special education from an accredited institution may now automatically qualify for an exemption—without the need for a transcript submission and detailed review of coursework.
This exemption applies only to certification areas that do not statutorily require an advanced degree. Positions such as Library Media Specialist, Principal, Reading Specialist, Math Specialist, School Counselor, School Psychologist, School Psychometrist, and Superintendent remain ineligible.
To help candidates navigate the new process, OEQA has created a searchable Advanced Degree Comparability Dashboard. If a degree appears on the list, CEQA has determined it to be substantially comparable to the relevant subject area exam. While the State Board of Education ultimately grants the exception, inclusion in the dashboard indicates that the degree meets the criteria established for exemption based on CEQA’s analysis. Degrees not yet listed may be submitted to CEQA for evaluation.
This updated process reflects CEQA’s ongoing efforts to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, attract highly qualified educators, and support Oklahoma’s workforce needs—especially in high-demand subject areas. By recognizing graduate-level expertise, CEQA is helping ensure that individuals with strong academic backgrounds can enter the classroom more efficiently.
For more information, please visit oklahoma.gov/oeqa. To request a degree review for a subject not included in the dashboard, email info@oeqa.ok.gov.
