0
Certification exams are a required part of becoming licensed to teach, and the fees for these tests can add up — especially if you need more than one attempt. There are several ways to reduce what you pay out of pocket, from retake vouchers we provide directly to fee waivers offered by testing organizations. This article walks through your options.
In this article:
Learn Your Options
A few different kinds of support can help lower your testing costs:
- Retake vouchers — such as the “Free After 3” voucher program available for Praxis test takers.
- Fee waivers — offered directly by testing organizations like ETS and PA's PECT testing vendor, for students who meet their eligibility criteria.
- State-distributed vouchers — some states provide vouchers for specific required tests and distribute those vouchers through us. These are often offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so respond quickly if one is offered to you.
- Financial aid — if you qualify, you can add certification exam costs to your financial aid package.
For a full breakdown of certification costs in your specific state, click here.
Vouchers and Waivers
Free After 3: Praxis Retake Support Program
Free After 3 is a program offered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). If you've taken the same Praxis test three times, your next attempt could be free.
To qualify, you must:
- Have taken your first attempt on or after October 1, 2025 (attempts before this date aren't eligible)
- Have three or more registrations for the same test title
- Have reported scores for each of those attempts
- Be within five years of the date your third attempt's scores were reported
How It Works
- Get notified. Within three days of receiving your third attempt's score report, you'll receive an email with a link to request a voucher if you're eligible.
- Complete the online form. Submit your full name, candidate ID, email address, test code, and testing dates.
- Receive your voucher. Once verified, you'll get a test-specific voucher by email to use at checkout for your next registration.
🖱️Find additional details and FAQs about this program here.
Praxis Fee Waiver
The Educational Testing Service also offers a limited number of Praxis fee waivers to MAT students who meet their eligibility criteria. You're eligible for a fee waiver only once per testing year, and there are a limited number of waivers available per test date and per institution.
🖱️Learn about the eligibility requirements and how to apply here.
PECT Fee Waiver
If you're pursuing certification in Pennsylvania, you may qualify for a fee waiver on your PECT exams. PECT fee waivers are limited to one per year and are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Note: The waiver request form must be mailed in — it can't be submitted online.
🖱️Learn about the eligibility requirements and the process for requesting a waiver here.
Using Financial Aid
If you're a matriculated student (meaning you're formally enrolled in a degree-seeking program) and you're eligible for financial aid, you can add the cost of certification exams and fees to your loan request.
If You Haven't Completed Your Federal Financial Aid Forms Yet
Complete your federal financial aid forms and include your certification exam costs in your request.
If You've Already Completed Your Federal Financial Aid Forms
Use the loan update section of your original loan request form to add your certification exam costs.
Getting in Touch with the LEP Team
Our Licensure Exam Preparation (LEP) team offers free test preparation resources and guidance for state- and program-specific licensure exam questions. They’ll also have the most up-to-date information on waivers, vouchers, and other ways you can reduce the cost of your certification tests.
Feel free to contact the team at [email protected] with any questions about testing costs or the resources covered in this article.
