Connecticut Teacher Certification for Elementary Education — PreK-6 Endorsement Guide

If you're pursuing an elementary teaching credential in Connecticut, you need to know about the grade-span changes that took effect July 1, 2025. The old patchwork of overlapping elementary endorsement codes with different grade ranges has been replaced with a unified structure, and it affects both new applicants and current certificate holders adding endorsements.

The Grade-Span Harmonization

Effective July 1, 2025, all elementary endorsements — specifically endorsement codes #005, #013, and #305 — now carry a unified authorization covering Preschool through Grade 6 (PreK–6). This replaced the previously disjointed grade spans where some elementary endorsements covered K–6, others covered 1–6, and early childhood codes had their own boundaries.

If you already hold an elementary endorsement, your certificate was automatically updated to reflect the new PreK–6 range. You don't need to apply for a change or pay a fee.

For new applicants, this simplification means one endorsement covers the full elementary range. You no longer need to worry about whether your preparation program's grade-level focus matches a specific endorsement code — if your program leads to any of the standard elementary endorsements, you're authorized PreK through Grade 6.

Required Assessments for Elementary Certification

Elementary candidates face a testing lineup that's broader than secondary subject areas:

Praxis Core Academic Skills (or a qualifying waiver based on SAT/ACT/GRE scores) — this is the basic skills requirement.

Praxis II Elementary Education: The specific content assessment for elementary endorsements. Check the current ETS list for Connecticut's required test codes, as the state has periodically updated which Praxis II subtests are required.

Pearson Foundations of Reading Test (Test #890): This is mandatory for all elementary and early childhood endorsement candidates. It's a 4-hour 30-minute computer-based assessment with a passing score of 240. This test reflects Connecticut's heavy emphasis on structured literacy and the Science of Reading — a priority that's only intensified since the State Board of Education approved the state's first Educator Competencies for Structured Literacy and Dyslexia in May 2025.

Note the testing transition: Pearson is migrating Connecticut Teacher Certification Examination (CTCE) registrations to the National Evaluation Series (NES) portal starting July 6, 2026. If you're planning to test after that date, register through the NES system.

The 36 Clock Hours of Special Education

Every elementary candidate — in fact, every candidate seeking any Initial Educator Certificate in Connecticut — must complete a minimum of 36 clock hours of special education coursework covering the growth and development of exceptional children and methods for identifying and planning for their needs. This requirement is codified in CGS § 10-145b(d).

Most in-state EPPs build this into their program. If you're applying from out of state or through a nontraditional route, and you meet the other certification criteria but your transcript doesn't show an equivalent course, the CSDE will issue a one-year nonrenewable Interim Initial Certificate while you complete the requirement.

Preparation Pathways

Traditional EPP

The most straightforward route for elementary education: enroll in an SBE-approved educator preparation program at one of Connecticut's universities (UConn, CCSU, Eastern, Western, Sacred Heart, etc.) that offers an elementary education track. These programs include supervised student teaching, handle the institutional recommendation, and typically cover all required coursework including special education and literacy.

Alternative Route

The state ARC program primarily covers secondary subject areas. For elementary education, the alternative pathway options are more limited — candidates typically need to complete a post-baccalaureate program or MAT with an elementary focus rather than the standard ARC cohort.

Cross-Endorsement

If you're already certified in Connecticut with a secondary endorsement and want to add an elementary endorsement, the process depends on shortage status. As of the current shortage list, elementary education is not a designated shortage area, so the standard 30 semester hours of targeted coursework applies. You'll also need to pass the elementary Praxis II and the Foundations of Reading test.

Early Childhood vs. Elementary

The PreK–6 harmonization brought elementary and early childhood endorsements closer together, but they're still distinct credentials. Early childhood endorsements (codes #112, #113) have their own preparation requirements and testing pathways. If you're specifically interested in preschool settings, confirm whether an elementary endorsement or an early childhood endorsement better matches your target position.

The Connecticut Teacher Certification Guide includes the full endorsement code reference and walks through how the grade-span changes affect cross-endorsement planning.

Related Reading

• Connecticut Two-Tier Certification System
• Connecticut Foundations of Reading Test
• Connecticut Cross-Endorsement Requirements

See more Connecticut guides →