Changes Coming to Certification Assessment Requirements for Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education—Here’s What You Need to Know
The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability (CEQA) has approved the Foundations of Reading (FOR) assessment as a certification requirement for individuals seeking initial licensure in Early Childhood, Elementary, or Special Education. This decision fulfills a new statutory mandate under 70 O.S. § 1210.508F, which requires candidates in these areas to demonstrate mastery of the five elements of reading instruction as a condition for certification.
Effective July 1, 2025, any person seeking initial certification in a special education, early childhood education, or elementary education program in this state shall be required to successfully complete a comprehensive reading instruction assessment approved by the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability as a condition for certification. The assessment shall evaluate the certification applicant’s knowledge and understanding of the five elements of reading instruction, which are phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The Commission shall include the data in the annual report to the Legislature as required pursuant to Section 6-186 of this title.
To meet this requirement, CEQA has approved two assessments: the Foundations of Reading (FOR) and the Oklahoma Reading Test (ORT). Candidates may complete either assessment to fulfill the statutory requirement.
The ORT is available at no cost through Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) through June 30, 2026, and most EPP candidates will continue to take the ORT through their program provider. Candidates enrolled in an EPP who take and pass the ORT before this date will be considered to have met the requirement—even if their certification date occurs after June 30, 2026. However, beginning July 1, 2026, the FOR assessment will be the only approved option for meeting the reading assessment requirement for all individuals seeking initial certification.
The FOR assessment is part of the National Evaluation Series™ (NES) and will be available statewide beginning June 30, 2025. It may be taken in person at an authorized CEOE testing center or remotely via secure proctoring. Upon registration, candidates will gain access to a suite of preparation resources, including study guides, timed practice tests, and item analysis tools.
To register, candidates should visit www.ceoe.nesinc.com, select “Foundations of Reading Assessment,” follow the prompts to schedule a testing date and choose a delivery format.
To support access and reduce financial barriers, the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA) is offering a limited number of scholarships to cover the full $139 cost of the FOR assessment for eligible first-time test takers. To qualify, candidates must demonstrate financial need, agree to teach in an Oklahoma public school for at least one year after certification, and be a first-time recipient of a certification testing scholarship from OEQA. Eligibility is determined during the registration process, and qualified candidates will have the scholarship automatically applied at checkout.
This program reflects OEQA’s continued commitment to building a high-quality, well-prepared teacher workforce in Oklahoma. For complete scholarship details, visit our Scholarship FAQs.
For additional questions about the FOR assessment or the scholarship program, please contact info@oeqa.ok.gov.
