Feb 7 / Dr. Jason Ampel

List of Michigan Certification Tests in 2024

To become a licensed teacher In Michigan, you must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program and pass the Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC).

The Michigan Tests for Teacher Certification (MTTC) program includes subject area tests, which you must seek for each endorsement area you are seeking. These tests assess your knowledge in specific content areas.

Prospective teachers must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program at a recognized institution.

Do not take an MTTC without first being directed to do so by either the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) or your teacher preparation program.

Learn about all the MTTC tests.

Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC)

You must pass the MTTC to be certified as a teacher in Michigan. The test is administered by the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson under a contract with the Michigan Department of Education’

The MTTC exams ensure that certified teachers are skilled and can provide quality education in Michigan schools.

Registration & Scheduling

If you’re considering taking the MTTC exam, you need to register and schedule for the test. 

Here's the step-by-step guide for registration:

  1.   Visit the official MTTC website
  2.    Register for the desired MTTC examinations and complete the necessary payment processes on the official website.
  3.    Schedule test appointments online, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. 
  4.    Once a test is scheduled, Pearson VUE, the organization administering the MTTC examinations, will send you a confirmation email. This email will include essential details such as the test date, testing time, the address and phone number of the test center, and directions to the test center.


If you need to make changes to your scheduled exam, the MTTC program website provides the option to reschedule or cancel exams. This process can be completed online using your credentials to login and manage your testing appointments.

Becoming a Certified Teacher in Michigan

According to Michigan law, you must undergo a teacher preparation program before you seek teacher certification in the state.

Here, we’ll explore the steps to becoming a certified teacher in Michigan.

1. Get a bachelor’s degree.

One of the basic requirements to become a certified teacher in Michigan is obtaining a bachelor's degree. 

A bachelor's degree is the educational foundation for prospective teachers. This degree is earned through a four-year undergraduate program at an accredited college or university.

The specific subject or field of study for the bachelor's degree can vary based on your career goals. Most prospective teachers major in the subject they intend to teach.

Teacher preparation programs within bachelor's degree curriculums include coursework in pedagogy, teaching methods, and classroom management. These courses are meant to equip you with the skills necessary for effective teaching.

Depending on your chosen field, you will gain in-depth knowledge in subjects such as mathematics, science, English, social studies, and other specializations relevant to your teaching area.

A traditional bachelor's degree program takes four academic years. However, some universities offer teacher preparation programs as part of their bachelor's degree program. These programs integrate academic coursework with student teaching.

2. Complete a teacher preparation program.

Completing a teacher preparation program is a requirement if you’re aspiring to become certified as a teacher in Michigan. It involves participating in a program that imparts pedagogical knowledge and practical teaching skills. 

These programs combine academic coursework with hands-on teaching experiences.

Completion of a teacher preparation program ensures that future educators can create productive learning environments and meet the diverse needs of students. 

Select an accredited program by relevant education authorities to get quality teacher education and align yourself with certification standards.

3. Complete required reading courses.

Aspiring teachers in Michigan must complete specific reading courses as part of their teacher certification program. 

These reading courses cover essential educational materials relevant to teaching methods, pedagogy, and subject-specific content. They provide future educators with a solid understanding of foundational concepts, instructional strategies, and literacy skills.

The required reading courses align with the MDE's standards for teacher preparation. They focus on the skills teachers must have to meet the educational needs of students in the state.

4. Pass the appropriate Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) content examinations.

The MTTC content examinations evaluate a candidate's proficiency in the subject areas they desire to teach in.

The key learnings covered in the examinations depend on the specific subject. They help ensure that certified teachers meet the state's educational requirements. 

The duration and format of the MTTC exams can vary depending on the specific subject area. The passing score is 220 points across all the exams.

Passing the MTTC content examinations demonstrates your competence in your subject area and your readiness to educate students in the content matter.

5. Apply for teaching jobs in Michigan.

Once you pass your MTTC exams, you will be licensed as a teacher in Michigan. You can then begin to look for teaching positions across the state.

Here are tips to find a job as a certified teacher in Michigan:

  •    Use online job boards such as Indeed, Monster, or Glassdoor. These platforms allow you to search for teaching positions based on location, school type, and subject. Many school districts and educational institutions in Michigan post their job openings on these websites.
  •    Visit the official websites of school districts in Michigan. Most districts maintain a dedicated section for careers where you can find information about current job openings, application procedures, and contact details for submitting your application.
  •    Check the Michigan Department of Education's official website for information on teaching positions and resources for job seekers. The MDE often collaborates with school districts to provide information about available teaching positions.
  •    Attend educational job fairs and career events in Michigan. These events bring together school administrators and prospective teachers. They are an excellent networking opportunity. Check with local colleges, universities, and educational organizations for announcements about upcoming job fairs
  •    Consider reaching out to teacher recruitment agencies that specialize in placing educators in schools. These agencies often have relationships with multiple school districts and can assist you in finding suitable positions.


Attend workshops, conferences, and professional development events related to education. These events enhance your skills and provide opportunities to connect with educators and administrators who may be aware of job openings.

Remember: Tailor your resume and cover letter for each application. Highlight your experience and skills and be prepared for interviews by researching the specific school district and understanding its educational values.

Types of Teacher Preparation

There are currently four types of teacher preparation pathways in Michigan, namely:

  •    Traditional
  •    Expedited
  •    Alternative route
  •    Career in Technical Education (CTE)


Let’s explore each of these pathways next.

1. Traditional

The traditional pathway is the conventional route to becoming a certified teacher. It involves completing a bachelor's degree in education from an accredited teacher preparation program.

To be certified through the traditional pathway, you need to:

  •    Obtain a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  •    Complete an approved teacher education program with practical student teaching.
  •    Pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification exams.


It takes approximately four years to complete the bachelor's degree and teacher preparation program.

2. Expedited

The expedited pathway is designed for individuals who want to work full-time as teachers while they work towards complete certification. The duration of getting certified varies, but it is shorter than the traditional pathway.

The requirements for this pathway include:

  •    Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  •    Demonstrated content knowledge in the subject area through coursework or work experience.
  •    Completion of an alternative route program or an approved teacher certification program.
  •    Passing of MTTC exams.

3. Alternative Route

The alternative route allows individuals to become certified teachers through non-traditional means. It is often chosen by those who have a bachelor's degree in a field other than education.

Getting certified through the alternative route requires the following:

  •    Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  •    Completion of an alternative route teacher preparation program.
  •    Passing MTTC exams.


The duration varies based on the specific alternative route program. For instance, with the Teachers of Tomorrow, you can learn and start teaching in weeks.

4. Career and Technical Education (CTE)

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway is designed for individuals interested in teaching specific technical or vocational subjects.

You need to meet the educational requirements in the chosen CTE field to start teaching:

  •    A bachelor's degree in a related field.
  •    Professional experience and expertise in the specific CTE subject area.
  •    Completion of an approved teacher preparation program for CTE.
  •    Pass related MTTC exams.

Michigan Certification Test List

As mentioned, there are many certification tests in Michigan. The following is a complete list of the MTTC tests:

  •    037 Agricultural Education
  •    102 Arabic (Modern Standard)
  •    064 Autism Spectrum Disorder
  •    125 Bilingual Education
  •    017 Biology
  •    098 Business, Management, Marketing, and Technology
  •    018 Chemistry
  •    101 Chinese (Mandarin)
  •    115 Cognitive Impairment
  •    062 Deaf and Hard of Hearing (for testing through 10/1/2023)
  •    128 Deaf or Hard of Hearing (first test administration 10/2/2023)
  •    106 Early Childhood Education (General and Special Education)
  •    134 Early Childhood General and Special Education (Birth–K)
  •    020 Earth/Space Science
  •    007 Economics
  •    103 Elementary Education
  •    117–120 Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education
  •    121–124 Upper Elementary (3–6) Education
  •    116 Emotional Impairment
  •    002 English
  •    132 English Language Arts (5–9)—for testing anticipated starting Fall 2024
  •    130 English Language Arts (7–12)—for testing anticipated starting Summer 2024
  •    126 English as a Second Language
  •    040 Family and Consumer Sciences
  •    023 French
  •    008 Geography
  •    024 German
  •    043 Health (for testing through 9/30/2023)
  •    044 Physical Education (for testing through 9/30/2023)
  •    112–113 Health and Physical Education Subtests 1 and 2 (for fulfilling endorsement code MC)
  •    009 History
  •    129 Industrial and Technology Education
  •    093 Integrated Science (Elementary)
  •    094 Integrated Science (Secondary)
  •    029 Italian
  •    100 Japanese
  •    090 Language Arts (Elementary)
  •    026 Latin
  •    114 Learning Disabilities
  •    048 Library Media
  •    133 Mathematics (5–9)—for testing anticipated starting Fall 2024
  •    131 Mathematics (7–12)—for testing anticipated starting Summer 2024
  •    089 Mathematics (Elementary)
  •    022 Mathematics (Secondary)
  •    085 Middle Level
  •    099 Music Education
  •    058 Physical or Other Health Impairment
  •    097 Physical Science
  •    019 Physics
  •    010 Political Science
  •    135 Professional Knowledge and Skills (5–9)—for testing anticipated starting Summer 2024
  •    136 Professional Knowledge and Skills (7–12)—for testing anticipated starting Summer 2024
  •    011 Psychology
  •    005 Reading
  •    092 Reading Specialist
  •    051 School Counselor
  •    137 Science (5–9)—for testing anticipated starting Winter 2025
  •    138 Science (7–12)—for testing anticipated starting Spring 2025
  •    105 Social Studies (Elementary)
  •    084 Social Studies (Secondary)
  •    028 Spanish
  •    004 Speech
  •    057 Speech and Language Impaired
  •    095 Visual Arts Education
  •    061 Visually Impaired—for testing anticipated through Fall 2024
  •    127 Visually Impaired—for testing anticipated starting Fall 2024

Ready to Become a Teacher in Michigan?

Becoming a certified educator in Michigan is a rewarding career with various certification options. Knowing what certification tests you need to take and preparing adequately is essential for you to achieve your career goals.

To pass the exams, you need help from experienced test preparation experts. At The Learning Liaisons, we have a library of resources to help you confidently prepare and face your MTTC exams.

Once you enroll, you will get access to video tutorials, practice tests, study guides, and personalized coaching to help you pass your exams and begin your career as a teacher in Michigan.