Delaware Elementary Teacher Certification

Scope of Delaware Elementary Certification

Delaware's elementary education Standard Certificate authorizes teaching in grades K through 6 in all core content areas. This is a generalist credential — you teach reading, math, science, and social studies to your assigned grade level rather than specializing in one subject.

The certificate is issued through DEEDS alongside your Initial License. Most traditional-route graduates apply for both simultaneously upon completing their state-approved teacher preparation program.

The Assessment Transition: Praxis 5001 to Teaching Reading 5205

Delaware is phasing out the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (Praxis 5001) exam and its associated Content Knowledge for Teaching (7811) subtests. The replacement is the Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) assessment.

Here is the transition timeline:

• Through December 31, 2026: The Reading and Language Arts subtest (5002) from the Praxis 5001 battery is still accepted for applications submitted to DEEDS
• Starting January 1, 2027: Only the Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) assessment will be accepted for new elementary education certification applications

If you are applying through December 31, 2026, check that the 5002 score is accepted for your application. For applications submitted on or after January 1, 2027, register for the 5205 instead.

What the 5205 Covers

The Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) assessment focuses specifically on foundational reading instruction. It tests knowledge of phonemic awareness, phonics and word recognition, fluency, vocabulary development, reading comprehension strategies, and the ability to analyze student reading assessments to inform instruction.

This is a narrower exam than the full 5001 battery, which covered reading, math, science, and social studies. The shift reflects a national trend toward reading-specific assessments for elementary teachers in response to the science of reading movement.

Registration and Score Routing

Register for any Praxis exam through the ETS website. When you register, designate the Delaware Department of Education as an official score recipient using reporting code R7065. This ensures your scores are routed electronically and appear on your DEEDS dashboard without you needing to submit a paper score report.

Praxis exams cost between $120 and $170 depending on the specific test. If you do not pass, there is a mandatory 28-day waiting period before you can retake the exam.

K-12 Certification Is Not a Single Credential

Delaware does not issue a blanket "K-12" teaching certificate. If you want to teach across both elementary and secondary levels, you need separate Standard Certificates for each grade band. An elementary education certificate covers K-6; a secondary content-area certificate covers grades 7-12. Some certificates — such as music, art, and physical education — carry their own grade band designations.

Each additional certificate requires its own Praxis II content exam, but adding certificates to your existing license in DEEDS is free.

For the complete assessment requirements for every certification area, the step-by-step DEEDS application process, and guidance on stacking multiple certificates, the Delaware Teacher Certification Guide covers everything in one place.

See more Delaware guides →