Connecticut Cross-Endorsement Requirements — How to Add a Teaching Subject

You already hold a Connecticut teaching certificate and want to add a new subject area. The process depends almost entirely on one question: is the subject you're adding a state-designated shortage area?

The Shortage-Area Shortcut

Connecticut's cross-endorsement rules give certified teachers a fast track for shortage subjects. If your target subject is on the Commissioner of Education's annual shortage area list, you can obtain the cross-endorsement solely by passing the corresponding Praxis II or ACTFL assessment — no additional coursework required.

For the 2025–2026 school year, shortage areas include Mathematics (grades 4–12), Science (grades 4–12), Special Education (PreK–12), Bilingual Education/TESOL (PreK–12), and World Languages. Art and Physical Education also qualify for the test-only cross-endorsement option regardless of shortage status.

This is a significant shortcut. Instead of completing 30 semester hours of targeted coursework, you study for and pass one exam. The Praxis II costs $64–$180 depending on the discipline.

The Standard (Non-Shortage) Path

If your target subject is not a shortage area, you need both:

1. 30 semester hours of specific coursework in the new subject area
2. Passing score on the corresponding Praxis II or ACTFL assessment

These 30 credits must be from a regionally accredited institution and must be specifically in the target endorsement's content area — general education credits don't count.

How to Apply

Whether you're using the test-only or coursework route:

1. Log into your CECS account
2. Complete the cross-endorsement application (or submit paper Form ED 170)
3. Pay the $100 fee ($50 nonrefundable review fee + $50 issuance fee)
4. If using the coursework route, mail official sealed transcripts showing the 30 completed credits

The CSDE processes the application and updates your certificate profile in the state database. You can then download an updated certificate showing the new endorsement code. Processing takes 2–4 weeks during off-peak months; longer during the April–October hiring season.

Elementary and Early Childhood Cross-Endorsements

These follow specific rules. As of July 1, 2025, all elementary endorsement codes (#005, #013, and #305) have been harmonized to cover PreK–6, so you don't need a separate cross-endorsement just to teach across the elementary grade span. Early childhood cross-endorsements (codes #112 and #113) have their own coursework and assessment requirements — check the CSDE's endorsement matrix for the specific Praxis II codes.

Cost Planning

Each cross-endorsement costs $100 in state fees plus whatever you pay for the required assessment ($64–$180 for Praxis II; ACTFL OPI is $145 standard or $100 discounted plus $20 proctoring, and WPT is $70). If you're on the coursework route, add tuition for 30 credit hours at your chosen institution.

For certified teachers considering adding a second or third subject area, the Connecticut Teacher Certification Guide maps out the endorsement requirements and includes a decision tree for whether the test-only shortcut applies to your target subject.

See more Connecticut guides →