Delaware Secondary Teacher Certification

How Secondary Certification Works in Delaware

Delaware's secondary education Standard Certificates authorize teaching in grades 7 through 12 within a specific content area. Unlike elementary certification, which is a generalist K-6 credential, secondary certification is subject-specific. You hold a separate Standard Certificate for each subject you are qualified to teach.

This means a secondary math teacher holds a Mathematics Standard Certificate, a biology teacher holds a Science Standard Certificate (or a specific subfield like Biology), and so on. Each certificate requires its own Praxis II content exam, and each is added through DEEDS.

Subject-Specific Praxis Requirements

For a new Standard Certificate, each secondary content area has a designated Praxis II exam. You must pass the exam that corresponds to the specific Standard Certificate you are applying for unless your pathway qualifies for reciprocity or another exception. Some of the most commonly pursued secondary areas:

Mathematics: The Praxis Mathematics: Content Knowledge exam tests algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, probability, and discrete mathematics. Check the current Delaware certification requirements for the applicable exam and coursework before registering.

Science: Delaware offers several science certificates. General science covers the broad discipline, while specific certificates exist for biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. Each has a separate Praxis II exam. Candidates should check which specific exam code Delaware requires for their target certificate before registering.

English Language Arts: The Praxis English Language Arts: Content Knowledge exam covers literature, composition, rhetoric, and language use.

When a Praxis score is required, route it electronically to the DDOE using recipient code R7065. DDOE staff can access Praxis scores approximately two to three weeks after you receive the mailed score report.

School Counselor Certification

School counselor certification in Delaware follows a different pathway than classroom teaching. Candidates must hold either a master's degree in school counseling from an approved program or a master's degree in another content area plus the required graduate school-counseling coursework, complete a supervised clinical internship, and pass the relevant Praxis exam for school counselors.

Counselor candidates also need to submit Form C (Verification of Clinical Counseling Hours) to document their supervised practice hours. Form C must be sent directly from the supervising institution to the DDOE — the same direct-submission rule that applies to Form E and transcripts.

School counselor certification is its own Standard Certificate. It does not require a content-area teaching certificate, making it one of the few specialist credentials that stands alone without the content-area prerequisite that applies to special education.

Reading Specialist Certification

Reading specialist certification is designed for educators who work with students across grade levels on literacy development, assessment, and intervention. This is an advanced credential that typically requires a master's degree with a specialization in reading or literacy education.

The Praxis exam for reading specialists is separate from the Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) exam that elementary teachers take. Reading specialist candidates should confirm the exact exam code and passing score with the DDOE before registering.

Stacking Multiple Secondary Certificates

One of the practical advantages of Delaware's certification structure is that adding certificates is free once you hold an active license. If you pass the Praxis II for a second or third content area, you can add those Standard Certificates through your DEEDS dashboard without paying an additional state fee.

This makes it strategically valuable for secondary teachers to stack certifications. A math teacher who also passes the physics Praxis can teach both subjects, making themselves significantly more attractive to hiring districts — especially smaller districts that need versatile educators.

For the full certification process, including how to apply for your license, route test scores, and navigate the DEEDS system, the Delaware Teacher Certification Guide covers everything from application to active credential.

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