The Day of the Test
Reporting to the Test Center
Your computer-based testing (CBT) confirmation lists your test selection, test date, testing time, and test center. Please report to the test center 15 minutes before your scheduled testing time. The consequences of arriving late to or missing a test appointment are noted in the late arrival policy 
and absentee policy .
Examinees scheduled to test in areas impacted by severe weather conditions or a natural disaster will be informed of test center closings. For more information about the notification process, read the test cancellation policy .
What to Bring to the Test Center
For all tests, you must bring identification as described in the identification policy to the test center on the day of your test. If you do not have proper identification, you will not be admitted to the test and you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.
On the day of the test, you may wish to dress comfortably in layers. This will allow you to adjust for the temperature at the test center, which may vary and may not be under the control of the test administrators. Please wear soft-soled shoes to help maintain a quiet testing environment.
Refer to test center rules for a complete list of prohibited materials.
For Nursing Mothers
Nursing mothers who need to make arrangements for bringing specialized equipment or storage materials should follow the Alternative Testing Arrangements process to ensure prior approval and the ability of a test center to meet your specific needs. Please note that children will not be allowed in the testing center or into the secure testing room.
Test Session
Test sessions are designed to allow sufficient time for sign-in, agreement to the test center rules 
, distribution of materials, and communication of directions before testing begins. You will be allowed 4 hours to complete the test. There is an additional 15 minutes allotted for viewing the CBT tutorial and for completion of the nondisclosure agreement prior to the start of the test. Some candidates may finish testing well before the scheduled ending time of the test session. However, you should be prepared to use the entire test session.
During testing, the following procedures apply:
- At the test center you will be provided with a felt pen and a notebooklet on which you may take notes. You do NOT need to erase the notes you make on the notebooklet; if you run out of space, you may raise your hand to request an additional notebooklet. The test administrator will collect the full notebooklet and provide you with a new one. There is no limit to the number of notebooklets you may use; however, you will only be provided with one notebooklet at a time. Your used notebooklet(s) will be collected or secured by a test administrator when you complete your test, or when the test session ends, whichever comes first.
- A nondisclosure agreement will be presented to you on the computer after you sign in at the test center. It will ask you to indicate your agreement to the conditions set forth on the current program website, including the Rules of Test Participation and the rules communicated to you orally or in writing at the test session. You will have five minutes to read and accept the terms of this nondisclosure agreement. If you do not respond within five minutes, or if you indicate that you do not accept the terms of the agreement, your test session will terminate, you will not be permitted to test, and you will receive no refund or credit of any kind.
- You may take restroom breaks. Any time that you take for restroom breaks is considered part of the available testing time.
- You may not leave the testing facility or room in which you have been seated for any purpose (other than to use the restroom, as permitted) until your test materials have been collected and you have been officially dismissed by a test administrator.
- During the test session, you may not communicate with other candidates or any unauthorized persons in any way, either in person or by using any communication device.
- Candidates will be monitored at all times by video and audio recording. If you leave the testing room at any time during the test (e.g., to take a restroom break), your identification will be checked and/or your palm scan will be taken when you leave and when you re-enter the testing room.
Please remember that when you register for the test you agree to keep the test confidential; in other words, you agree that you will not discuss or in any way share the test questions (e.g., by text, email, or in a classroom discussion). If you do discuss or otherwise share the test questions, your test results may be voided or other actions could be taken that could impact your educator license or license application.
Once you begin a test, you may not cancel your score.
For more information about the testing experience, including a photographic tour of a test center and downloadable tutorials, see Testing Tutorials and Demonstrations.
Dismissal from the Test
When you have completed testing or when the test session ends, whichever occurs first, your test materials will be collected or secured and you will be dismissed. Once you have been officially dismissed from a test session, you must leave the testing facility. If you are taking another test, return to the testing facility 15 minutes before your scheduled test appointment.
Should you become ill and unable to finish testing, you may be dismissed. Please note that you may not cancel your test results.
Submitting Comments
If you have comments about the test center or the conditions under which you took a test, please submit your comments in an email to Evaluation Systems no later than seven days after your test session.
If you intend to request alternative testing arrangements, please carefully review the information below before registering for your test.
Nursing mothers who need to make arrangements for bringing specialized equipment or storage materials should follow the Alternative Testing Arrangements process outlined below to ensure prior approval and the ability of a test center to meet your specific needs.
- Register for the test and be sure to declare your intent to request alternative testing arrangements during registration.
- Submit an Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form and indicate the equipment that you anticipate bringing to the test center.
- If you have additional alternative-arrangement requests, include those requests on the same form.
- Check your email for your notification of resolution (usually between 1–3 weeks after your completed request is received).
- Follow the instructions provided in your resolution email to schedule your appointment with any approved alternative testing arrangements.
Please note that children will not be allowed in the testing center or into the secure testing room.
Nursing mothers who need to make arrangements for using specialized equipment or storage materials should follow the Alternative Testing Arrangements process outlined below to ensure prior approval.
- Register for the test and be sure to declare your intent to request alternative testing arrangements during registration.
- Submit an Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form and indicate the equipment that you anticipate using.
- If you have additional alternative-arrangement requests, include those requests on the same form.
- Check your email for your notification of resolution (usually between 1–3 weeks after your completed request is received).
- Follow the instructions provided in your resolution email to schedule your appointment with any approved alternative testing arrangements.
Please note that children will not be allowed in the testing room.
Individuals for whom English is not a primary language may request an extension of testing time, up to one-and-a-half times the standard test session length. Please note that testing must be completed within one test administration day and that all requests for additional time require appropriate documentation and are subject to approval. Documentation, in itself, does not automatically support the granting of alternative testing arrangements.
Required Documentation:
You must submit documentation that meets one of the below three documentation options.
For candidates who:
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attend a college or university:
You may submit a letter from your college or university showing that English is not your primary language. The letter should be
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in the form of a statement by an authorized representative of your institution of higher education (e.g., bilingual program coordinator, dean) who is able to certify that English is not your primary language;
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presented on official institution letterhead; and
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signed by the authorized individual, including his or her printed name and position.
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were born outside of the United States:
You may submit a copy of your birth certificate, visa, or passport if you were born outside of the United States.
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are deaf or hard of hearing:
You may submit a copy of an audiogram showing profound hearing loss. If you wish to request additional accommodations, please see the "Documentation Requirements for All Other Disabilities or Health Conditions" section of this webpage.
To request additional time for this reason, you must do the following:
- Complete your test registration.
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Submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form (below).
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Submit documentation that certifies that English is not your primary language.
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Check your email for your notification of resolution (usually between 1–3 weeks after your completed request is received).
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Follow the instructions provided in your resolution email to schedule your appointment with any approved alternative testing arrangements.
The Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form (below) must be submitted each time you register. The first time that you request alternative testing arrangements, you will need to submit the required documentation to support your request for alternative testing arrangements.
To request alternative testing arrangements for subsequent registrations, you only need to complete a registration and submit a completed Alternative Testing Arrangements Request Form, as long as your condition and the requested alternative testing arrangements have not changed. If your requested alternative testing arrangements have changed, you must submit documentation to support any new requests.
By registering for the MTEL, you are agreeing to abide by the Rules of Test Participation and all rules, requirements, and policies specified or referenced on the current program website and communicated to you, orally or in writing, at each test session for which you have registered.
A nondisclosure agreement will be presented to you on the computer after you sign in at the test center. You will be asked to indicate your agreement to the conditions set forth on the current program website, including the Rules of Test Participation and the rules communicated to you orally or in writing at the test session. You will have five minutes to read and accept the terms of this nondisclosure agreement. If you do not respond within five minutes, or if you indicate that you do not accept the terms of the agreement, your test session will terminate, you will not be permitted to test, and you will receive no refund or credit of any kind.
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COMPLIANCE AND PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE: I understand that if I fail to comply with the Rules or if I take any prohibited actions, the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson, a business of NCS Pearson, Inc. (Evaluation Systems), or the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may take certain actions or impose a penalty or combination of penalties, depending on the type and severity of the noncompliance, including, but not limited to: dismissal from the test center; test results voided; no refund or credit given; future testing not allowed; test irregularity noted in the license file; future testing required under controlled conditions and/or undertaking other special measures, at the candidate's expense; findings reported to a hiring principal or superintendent; limited suspension or denial of access to future educator licensure examinations in Massachusetts; criminal prosecution; and/or revocation of a candidate's educator license already granted. Additional penalties listed under individual sections below may also be incurred and legal proceedings and actions may be pursued as well as any other remedies that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may deem appropriate, including denying, revoking, or suspending an educator license.
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POLICIES: I have read and agree to the information and policies presented on the current program website, including, but not limited to, payment policy
, withdrawal/refund policy , identification policy , and late arrival policy .
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PURPOSE OF TESTING: I understand that the tests are administered for the purpose of licensure only and are to be taken only by individuals either enrolled in a state educator preparation program or seeking educator licensure. I certify that I am taking the test(s) for which I have registered for the purpose of educator licensure and for no other purpose.
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TEST SECURITY:
- ADMINISTRATION: I authorize the test administrators to serve as my agents in maintaining a secure test administration. I agree to follow all reasonable instructions given to me either orally or in writing at or during the test session, including, but not limited to, instructions to relocate me during the test session. I agree not to communicate with other candidates or any unauthorized persons in any way during the test session nor to engage in any other form of cheating or misconduct. I agree not to engage in behavior that would disrupt or unfairly affect the performance of myself or other candidates. I agree to cooperate with testing personnel.
- PROPERTY: I understand that all test materials and any portion thereof or information relating thereto (referred to below as the "Test Materials") are the sole property of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. I understand that my responses, without the identification of my name, may be used for research, development and implementation of testing programs, scorer training or study materials, or other purposes associated with the program. I understand and acknowledge that the Test Materials were developed at significant cost and are required to be kept confidential and secure from disclosure in order to fairly and effectively perform the test functions for which they were designed. I have not received any Test Materials prior to taking the test and no Test Materials will be available for me to review after the test. I am not permitted (i) to take (nor will I take) Test Materials or handwritten or printed notes reflecting or recording anything about the Test Materials from the testing room or (ii) to disassemble, copy, or reproduce the Test Materials in whole or in part, by hand or with the use of any electronic, or other type of, device of any nature.
- MATERIALS: I understand that I will not be permitted to bring or to use during the test: handwritten or printed notes (referred to below as "Notes"), cellular phones, electronic communication devices, visual or audio recording or listening devices or any device with an on/off option, extra paper, calculators, calculator watches, calculator manuals, or any other unauthorized aid (collectively referred to below as "Unauthorized Aids"). Throughout the test session, I will have nothing on my desk or at my workstation but authorized materials provided by the test administrator. I may use materials provided by the test administrator for any intermediate work. However, only responses that I record on computer (including scans of hand-drawn responses) will be scored.
- NONDISCLOSURE OF TEST MATERIALS: Because of the great cost expended to develop the Test Materials, because of the obvious necessity that they be kept confidential and secure from disclosure in order to fairly and effectively perform the test functions for which they were designed, and because any disclosure of part or all of the contents of the Test Materials to anyone might render them unusable for future test administrations, I promise and agree that I will not disclose the Test Materials or any part of them (including the form, subject matter, substance, and wording of any test question or any answer thereto) to anyone for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the test session to which such Test Materials pertain. I understand and agree that if I should violate this agreement of nondisclosure I may be liable in damages for the costs (including redevelopment costs) incurred as a result of any breach of this agreement and I may also be subject to other legal and equitable remedies (including injunctive relief and/or criminal charges) for any such breach.
- RELINQUISHMENT OF UNAUTHORIZED AIDS, ETC.; WAIVER: I understand and agree that if, despite my foregoing promises and agreements, test administrators have a reasonable suspicion that I have or may have in my possession any Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids, I will immediately turn over any such Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids in my possession to the test administrators at any time upon their request. If I should fail or refuse to do so, or if the test administrators believe in good faith that I have not turned over all such Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids in my possession, the test administrators may search my person and my personal possessions for such Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids and may remove them. Any such Test Materials, Notes, and/or Unauthorized Aids that I may have may be retained for as long as may be required for the purpose of pursuing the remedies specified herein. Test administrators, Evaluation Systems, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education are not responsible for Unauthorized Aids or other prohibited materials confiscated by them or otherwise turned over by me. In the event of a possible breach of test security, I agree to cooperate with the testing personnel and I hereby consent to any such reasonable search and to any incidental contact with my person or my possessions that may occur as a result of such a search before my dismissal from the test center. Moreover, I hereby waive any claim that I might otherwise have based upon any such reasonable search or contact.
TEST IRREGULARITIES: Test irregularities occur when a candidate fails to abide by the terms, conditions, and policies set forth on the current program website, including these Rules, and those communicated at the test session. Test irregularities may include any form of cheating, misconduct, or breach of test security, or possession or use of unauthorized aids. Test irregularities can occur prior to, during, and after the test session. Evaluation Systems will notify the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education of reported test irregularities and will provide the Department with related supporting documentation. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will review the reported test irregularities and supporting documentation and may authorize Evaluation Systems to hold test results for the candidate(s) in question while the test irregularities are investigated.
TEST RESULTS REPORTING AND CANCELLATION: I have read and understand the following: My subarea information, my pass/fail status, and, if I do not pass, my total test score(s) will be reported to me and to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. My test results and MEPID will be reported to the Massachusetts educator preparation institution(s) identified, if any. With my consent, the last four digits of my social security number will also be reported to my Massachusetts educator preparation institution (see "Educational Background Questions"). My pass/fail status will also be reported to the additional institution(s) I indicate during registration to receive this information. Any or all information related to my test results may also be released to any other institution, entity, or person authorized by law to receive this information. I understand that Pearson will score all test results received, which may be incomplete due to technical issues during the test session. Except as otherwise specified and in accordance with applicable law, any information I have provided as part of my registration may be used to report my test results and to contact me regarding test- or program-related issues. My score report will be produced even if I leave the testing room before I finish the test. Once I am admitted to the test center, I may not cancel my test results.
VOIDED TEST RESULTS: I understand that if I fail to comply with the Rules, or if doubts are raised about the validity or legitimacy of my registration or my test results, Evaluation Systems will notify the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and other parties as deemed appropriate by the Department. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Evaluation Systems reserve the right to void my test results if, in their sole opinion, I fail to comply with the Rules or if there is adequate reason to question the validity or legitimacy of the test results due to circumstances within or beyond my control.
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS REGARDING TEST ADMINISTRATION: I understand and agree that liability for test administration activities, including, but not limited to, the adequacy or accuracy of Test Materials and equipment, the adequacy or accuracy of the registration and administration processes or conditions, the adequacy of test center facilities, the adequacy or accuracy of information provided to me in connection with the MTEL program, the adequacy or accuracy of scoring, and the adequacy or accuracy of score reports, will be limited to score correction or test retake, or a rescheduled test appointment at no additional fee. I understand that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Evaluation Systems are not responsible for disclosure of candidate information by any institution, entity, or person to whom this information has been lawfully released. I waive any and all rights to all other claims, specifically including, but not limited to, claims for negligence arising out of any acts or omissions of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Evaluation Systems (including the employees, agents, contractors, or professional advisors of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Evaluation Systems).
PROGRAM CHANGES: I understand that the testing program is subject to change at the sole discretion of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
OBJECTION TO RULES: If, for any reason, I object to the procedures presented in these Rules, I must advise Evaluation Systems, in writing, of the basis of my objection at least eight (8) weeks before the test date for which I wish to register for my objection to be taken under consideration. Under no circumstances may I register if I have such an objection. If I nevertheless object, my registration may be canceled, I may not be permitted to take the test(s), or my test results may be voided, unless I withdraw my objection in writing.
RULE VALIDITY: I understand that should any of these Rules or any other requirement or provision contained on the current program website be declared or determined by any court to be illegal or invalid, the remaining Rules, requirements, and provisions will not be affected and the illegal or invalid Rule, requirement, or provision shall not be deemed a part of the current program website. I agree that any legal action arising in connection with my registration for or participation in a test session shall be brought in the state and federal courts governing St. Paul, Minnesota, and I consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.
Withdrawal/Refund Policy
If you register to take the same test on multiple test dates and pass the test on the first test date, you will not be issued a refund for your additional registrations on the basis of your passing performance.
If you are absent from the test, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. (See the absentee policy.)
If you are due a refund, it will be issued according to the process outlined below.
If after registering for a test you would like to withdraw the registration you may do so according to the following procedure:
- If you have not yet scheduled your test: Submit a withdrawal request through your account.
- If you have already scheduled your test:
- First, cancel your test appointment at least 24 hours before your scheduled testing time. To cancel your appointment,
log in to your account, click Reschedule, and follow the instructions provided.
- After canceling your test appointment, submit a withdrawal request through your account.
If your original registration was for both Communication and Literacy Skills, General Curriculum, or Vocational Technical Literacy Skills Test subtests, withdrawal of the registration will apply to both subtests. You may not withdraw from or receive a refund for only one subtest if your original registration was for both subtests.
If you withdraw your registration before you have scheduled your test appointment, or if you cancel your test appointment at least 24 hours before your scheduled testing time and then withdraw your registration, you will receive a full refund of your test fee.
In most cases, your refund will be issued by Evaluation Systems within one week of your request; however, some requests may take additional time to resolve.
Your registration is valid for one year from the date of issue. If you do not schedule a test appointment and take your test within one year, or withdraw your registration within one year, your registration will expire and you will receive no refund or credit of any kind.
If you register to take the same test on multiple test dates and pass the test on the first test date, you will not be issued a refund for your additional registrations on the basis of your passing performance.
If you are absent from the test, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. (See the absentee policy.)
If you are due a refund, it will be issued according to the process outlined below.
If after registering for a test you would like to withdraw the registration you may do so according to the following procedure:
- If you have not yet scheduled your test: Submit a withdrawal request through your account.
- If you have already scheduled your test:
- First, cancel your test appointment at least 24 hours before your scheduled testing time. To cancel your appointment,
log in to your account, click Reschedule, and follow the instructions provided.
- After canceling your test appointment, submit a withdrawal request through your account.
If your original registration was for both Communication and Literacy Skills, General Curriculum, or Vocational Technical Literacy Skills Test subtests, withdrawal of the registration will apply to both subtests. You may not withdraw from or receive a refund for only one subtest if your original registration was for both subtests.
If you withdraw your registration before you have scheduled your test appointment, or if you cancel your test appointment at least 24 hours before your scheduled testing time and then withdraw your registration, you will receive a full refund of your test fee.
In most cases, your refund will be issued by Evaluation Systems within one week of your request; however, some requests may take additional time to resolve.
Duration of Payment Validity
After payment, your registration will be valid for one year. If you do not take the test or withdraw your registration within that period, your registration will expire and you will receive no refund or credit of any kind.
Payment Processing
If you have any outstanding balance owed by you to Evaluation Systems after a test session for which you were registered, all of your test results for that test date may be permanently voided and therefore not reported to you, to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, or to any institutions.
The following policies apply to you when you have an outstanding balance with Evaluation Systems:
- You will be assessed an additional fee to cover the processing required to clear your account.
- You will not be allowed to register for future test dates until your balance, which includes the additional fee, is paid in full.
- Any credits or refunds for which you may be eligible will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess to be returned to you.
If a credit card charge for an Evaluation Systems service for you is disputed:
- You may not be allowed to make any future payments by credit card.
- You must make your payment to clear your account by cashier's check or money order only.
- If you attempt to pay for any further services by cashier's check or money order before clearing your account, any payments received will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess applied to the requested services.
Additionally, if a personal check submitted by you is returned by the bank:
- You will not be allowed to make any future payments by personal check.
- You must make your payment to clear your account by cashier's check or money order only, unless you are making a subsequent credit card payment for additional services, in which case your credit card will be billed for both the outstanding balance and the additional requested services.
- If you attempt to pay for any further services by credit card before clearing your account, your credit card will be billed for the amount of all services you have requested, as well as the outstanding balance owed. You agree to pay for all such services and outstanding balances in the event your credit card company does not.
- If you attempt to pay for any further services by cashier's check or money order before clearing your account, any payments received will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess applied to the requested services.
You must bring to the test center one piece of current, government-issued identification printed in English, in the name in which you registered, bearing your photograph and signature.
Acceptable forms of identification include the following:
- Driver's license with photograph and signature
- Passport with photograph and signature
- State identification with photograph and signature (provided by the Registry of Motor Vehicles for individuals who do not have a driver's license)
- National identification with photograph and signature
- Military identification with photograph and signature
- Alien Registration Card (green card, permanent resident visa)
A government-issued ID missing a visible signature or that has an embedded signature must be supplemented with an original (no photocopies), valid (unexpired) ID that has at least a matching name and recent recognizable photograph, or a matching name and signature.
Unacceptable forms of identification include draft classification cards, credit cards of any kind, social security cards, student IDs, international driver's licenses, international student IDs, notary-prepared letters or documents, employee identification cards, learner's permits or any temporary identification cards, and automated teller machine (ATM) cards.
If you do not have proper identification at the time of your test session, you will be denied admission to the test session. If you are refused admission to the test, for any reason, you will be considered absent and will receive no credit or refund of any kind.
Please note the following:
- Your middle initial in your account on this website must match the middle name or initial on your ID.
- If you have a hyphenated last name, one of the following must be true of your name as it appears in your account on this website and on your ID:
- either both instances must use the complete hyphenated name
or
- if one instance only uses one last name, it must be the second last name from the full hyphenated version
If the name on your identification differs from the name in which you are registered, you must bring official, original verification of the change (e.g., original marriage certificate, original court order).
As part of the identity verification process, your digital signature will be taken at the test center, and a palm scan and/or a digital photograph may also be taken. These will be used only for the purpose of identity verification. If you do not allow your digital signature, palm scan, and/or digital photograph to be taken, you will not be allowed to test and you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.
If you have a question about your identification, contact us to submit your question to Evaluation Systems before the day of the test.
If you arrive late and are not admitted to a test administration, you will be considered absent and will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. You will need to register and pay again to test on a future date.
It is essential that you report for your test session no later than the testing time indicated on your CBT confirmation. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late to a test session, you may not be admitted. If you arrive late and are not admitted, you will be considered absent and will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. You will need to register and pay again to test on a future date.
In the event that it becomes necessary to close a test center due to severe weather conditions or a natural disaster (e.g., flood, fire), Pearson VUE will notify candidates by telephone and/or email and will contact you to reschedule your test appointment.
If you miss a test appointment that has not been officially canceled due to a test center closing, you will be considered absent and will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. Contact Pearson VUE at (800) 466-0450 if you have any concerns or questions on the day of the test.
If you are absent, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. You will need to register and pay again to test on a future date.
Emergency circumstances. If you are absent from a test session because of an emergency circumstance (illness, injury, hospitalization, or death in the immediate family), you may be eligible to receive a fee voucher that you may use to register for a future test session.
To request a voucher, you must
submit a written request to Evaluation Systems describing the emergency situation. Include written documentation, such as a dated newspaper obituary or a dated letter signed by a professional licensed to diagnose or treat the emergency condition (e.g., physician), on that person's professional letterhead.
Documentation from a medical professional must specifically excuse you from testing on the date of the test. Documentation containing electronic signatures will not be accepted.
The request and required documentation must be received at Evaluation Systems within 30 calendar days after the missed test session.
A response to your request will be sent to you within two weeks after the missed test date, or two weeks after your request is received, whichever is later. If your request for a fee voucher is granted, the fee voucher you receive will be in the amount of the test fee you paid for the missed test appointment.
If candidates registered on or before July 22, 2024, they must wait 45 days before retaking the same test/subtest. If candidates registered July 23, 2024, or after, they must wait 30 days before retaking the same test/subtest. For tests that include subtests (i.e., Communication and Literacy Skills, General Curriculum, and the Vocational Technical Literacy Skills Test), candidates may take one or both subtests at a given test session. Once candidates meet the passing score on a subtest, they do not have to take that subtest again. Candidates should not retake a test prior to receiving their test results from that test.
Retake Eligibility
If a candidate does not meet the qualifying score for their assessment, they may elect to create a new registration to retake the assessment to improve their submission and overall assessment performance. Candidates must wait to receive scores from their last assessment submission before they can register for a retake of that same assessment.
In all cases, when an assessment is submitted as a retake, the entire submission is scored without reference to the previous submission.
Retakes of scored assessments that did not meet the qualifying score must include new or substantially revised materials.
Candidates electing to retake an assessment based on a prior submission that received unscorable codes should carefully review all MTEL-Flex Submission Requirements and Unscorable Codes, individual assessment components, the unscorable codes that were applied and reported in their score report, and specifications for required work.
You can view current information for any scored MTEL-Flex assessments by logging in to your account. There, you may view your score report and whether you met the qualifying score.
All work must be completed according to the submission instructions in use during the Program Year of the retake, and will be scored according to the rubrics in use at the time of submission.
There is no limit on the number of times a candidate can register to retake each MTEL-Flex, although each retake will be charged separately.
When you register for the MTEL, you agree to comply with all the rules set forth on the current program website, including the "Rules of Test Participation" and as described in the rules communicated to you at the test center 
. Violation of test center rules, including the possession or use of prohibited materials during a test session, may result in the voiding of your test results.
The following are not allowed at the test center:
- Smoking and the use of all tobacco products
- Visitors, including relatives, children, and friends
- Weapons of any kind
- Accessing Prohibited Materials: We encourage you NOT to bring any prohibited materials, listed below, with you to the test center. If you do bring any of these materials, you will be required to leave them outside the testing area, in a secure area, or in your vehicle. You will not be allowed to access these items during the test.
- Leaving the Test Center: You are NOT allowed to leave the test center building during the test session.
Headphones and/or earplugs are available at test centers upon request.
Prohibited Materials
You will be asked to empty your pockets and ensure nothing is in them. View a video about security measures in a Pearson VUE test center 
.
- Cell phones (possession or use of)
- Electronic communication devices, visual or audio recording or listening devices, or any device with an on/off option (possession or use of), including, but not limited to, MP3 players, PDAs, tablets, computers, CD players, removable storage devices, calculator watches, clocks or watches with alarms, spellcheckers, etc. Note that watches of any kind are prohibited at test centers.
- Eyeglasses with communication and recording devices; note that during the check-in process you may be asked to remove any pair of eyeglasses for a visual inspection, but the test center proctor will not touch or otherwise handle your glasses
- Calculators and calculator manuals
- Handwritten or printed materials, such as dictionaries, notebooks, scratch paper, textbooks, etc.
- Hats, headwear, or large jewelry, including barrettes and hair clips larger than ¼ a quarter -inch wide and hairbands larger than ½ a half -inch wide, except for those being worn for religious or medical purposes
- Packages and bags of any kind, such as purses, wallets, backpacks, briefcases, etc.
- Food and drink, including chewing gum
- Unauthorized aids, such as slide rules, rulers, translation aids, highlighters, etc.
- Unauthorized medical devices, defined as any device not noted on Pearson VUE's Approved Comfort Aids list
, unless prior approval has been obtained (refer to Requesting Alternative Testing Arrangements for more information)
Medication that you stored in a secure area can be accessed during the test session with permission from the proctor.
If after registering for or scheduling your test you wish to modify your registration, you may request a modification according to the processes outlined below.
If you need to correct or update personal information (e.g., your mailing address), you may do so through your account. To update your name, date of birth, social security number, or MEPID, you must contact the MTEL program.
Changing your test date, test center, or testing time. If you have already scheduled your test appointment and wish to change the date, time, or location of your test appointment, you may reschedule your test appointment through your account. The deadline for rescheduling your test appointment online is 24 hours before your scheduled testing time. There is no fee for rescheduling a test appointment.
Adding a test. You may submit a new registration for additional tests at any time. You will need to schedule a separate test appointment for each registration submitted.
Changing your test selection. If you wish to change the test(s) for which you registered (e.g., if you registered for the Communication and Literacy Skills reading subtest but wish to change your test to the writing subtest), you must withdraw your registration for the original test(s) and submit a new registration for the new test(s). In most cases, your refund will be issued by Evaluation Systems within one week of your request; however, some requests may take additional time to resolve.
Candidates who cancel a test appointment lose their original seat; test appointment scheduling for any subsequent registrations is subject to available space at the time of the scheduling. There can be no guarantee that test appointments for new registrations can be rescheduled for the same test date.
Changing your method of testing. If your test is available via online proctoring and you wish to change from computer-based testing to online proctoring, or vice versa, you must first withdraw your registration and then submit a new registration for the new method of testing.
You must provide one piece of current, government-issued identification printed in English, in the name in which you registered, bearing your photograph and signature.
Your ID must be in the name in which you registered. If your name does not match your ID (e.g., due to a marriage or name change) your ID will not be accepted and you will not be allowed to test. Transitional documentation that may verify the discrepancy, such as a marriage certificate or court order, will not be accepted on the day of the test.
Acceptable forms of identification include the following:
- Driver's license with photograph and signature
- Passport with photograph and signature
- State identification with photograph and signature (provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles for individuals who do not have a driver's license)
- Alien Registration Card (green card, permanent resident visa)
A government-issued ID missing a visible signature or that has an embedded signature must be supplemented with an original (no photocopies), valid (unexpired) ID that has at least a matching name and recent recognizable photograph, or a matching name and signature.
For test-takers under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must present their own ID during check-in and give consent for the test-taker to be recorded. If they have one, the test-taker must also present a government-issued ID. If they do not, a student ID will suffice.
Unacceptable forms of identification include military IDs, draft classification cards, credit cards of any kind, social security cards, student IDs, international driver's licenses, international student IDs, notary-prepared letters or documents, employee identification cards, learner's permits or any temporary identification cards, government employment IDs, and automated teller machine (ATM) cards.
If you do not have proper identification at the time of your test, you will be denied admission to the test session. If you are refused admission to the test, for any reason, you will be considered absent and will receive no credit or refund of any kind.
Please note the following:
- Your middle initial in your account on this website must match the middle name or initial on your ID.
- If you have a hyphenated last name, one of the following must be true of your name as it appears in your account on this website and on your ID:
- either both instances must use the complete hyphenated name
or
- if one instance only uses one last name, it must be the second last name from the
full hyphenated version
As part of the identity verification process, you must provide photographs of (1) your ID, (2) your testing environment, and (3) your face (a headshot). These will be used only for the purpose of identity verification and ensuring a secure testing environment. If you do not provide the required photographs, you will not be allowed to test and you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.
If you have any questions about your identification, please contact Evaluation Systems before the day of the test.
Withdrawal/Refund Policy
If after registering for a test you wish to withdraw your registration, you may do so according to the following procedure:
If you have not yet scheduled your test: Submit a withdrawal request through your account.
If you have already scheduled your test:
-
First, cancel your test appointment at least 24 hours before your scheduled testing time. To cancel your appointment, log in to your account, click "Reschedule," and follow the instructions provided.
-
After cancelling your test appointment, submit a withdrawal request through your account.
If you withdraw your registration before you have scheduled your test appointment or if you cancel your test appointment at least 24 hours before your scheduled testing time and then withdraw your registration, you will receive a full refund of your test fee. In most cases, your refund will be issued by Evaluation Systems within one week of your request; however, some requests may take additional time to resolve.
If you selected multiple subtests when you registered and wish to withdraw from any of the subtests selected, you must withdraw your entire registration and submit a new registration with a new test selection. Once one subtest associated with a registration has been attempted, you may not withdraw any of the other subtests within the same registration.
If you are absent from the test, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.
Your registration is valid for one year from the date of issue. If you do not schedule a test appointment and take your test within one year, or withdraw your registration within one year, your registration will expire and you will receive no refund or credit of any kind.
Payment Policy
Duration of Payment Validity
After payment, your registration will be valid for one year. If you do not take the test or withdraw your registration within that period, your registration will expire and you will receive no refund or credit of any kind.
Payment Processing
If you have any outstanding balance owed by you to Evaluation Systems after a test appointment for which you were registered, all of your scores for that test date may be permanently voided and therefore not reported to you; to the relevant state agency responsible for educator certification, if applicable; or to any institutions.
The following policies apply to you when you have an outstanding balance with Evaluation Systems:
- You will be assessed a $20 fee to cover the processing required to clear your account.
- You will not be allowed to register for future test appointments until your balance, which includes the additional fee, is paid in full.
- Any credits or refunds for which you may be eligible will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess to be returned to you.
If a credit card charge for an Evaluation Systems service for you is disputed:
- You may not be allowed to make any future payments by credit card.
- You must make your payment to clear your account by cashier's check or money order only.
- If you attempt to pay for any further services by cashier's check or money order before clearing your account, any payments received will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess applied to the requested services.
Additionally, if a personal check submitted by you is returned by the bank:
- You will not be allowed to make any future payments by personal check.
- You must make your payment to clear your account by cashier's check or money order only, unless you are making a subsequent credit card payment for additional services, in which case your credit card will be billed for both the outstanding balance and the additional requested services.
- If you attempt to pay for any further services by credit card before clearing your account, your credit card will be billed for the amount of all services you have requested, as well as the outstanding balance owed. You agree to pay for all such services and outstanding balances in the event your credit card company does not.
- If you attempt to pay for any further services by cashier's check or money order before clearing your account, any payments received will be applied first to your outstanding debt, with any excess applied to the requested services.
ID Policy for the NES
You must bring to the test center one piece of current, government-issued identification
printed in English, in the name in which you registered, bearing your photograph
and signature.
Acceptable forms of identification include the following:
- Driver's license with photograph and signature
- Passport with photograph and signature
- State identification with photograph and signature (provided by the Department of
Motor Vehicles for individuals who do not have a driver's license)
- National identification with photograph and signature
- Military identification with photograph and signature
- Alien Registration Card (green card, permanent resident visa)
A government-issued ID missing a visible signature or that has an embedded signature must be supplemented with an original (no photocopies), valid (unexpired) ID that has at least a matching name and recent recognizable photograph, or a matching name and signature.
Unacceptable forms of identification include draft classification cards,
credit cards of any kind, social security cards, student IDs, international driver's
licenses, international student IDs, notary-prepared letters or documents, employee
identification cards, learner's permits or any temporary identification cards,
and automated teller machine (ATM) cards.
If you do not have proper identification at the time of your test, you will be denied
admission to the test session. If you are refused admission to the test, for any
reason, you will be considered absent and will receive no credit or refund of any
kind.
If the name on your identification differs from the name in which you are registered,
you must bring official, original verification of the change (e.g.,
original marriage certificate, original court order).
Please note the following:
- Your middle initial in your account on this website must match the middle name or
initial on your ID.
- If you have a hyphenated last name, one of the following must be true of your name
as it appears in your account on this website and on your ID:
- either both instances must use the complete hyphenated name
or
- if one instance only uses one last name, it must be the second last name from the
full hyphenated version
If you have any questions about your identification, please contact Evaluation Systems before the day of the test.
As part of the identity verification process, your digital signature will be taken
at the test center, and a palm scan and/or a digital photograph may also be taken.
These will be used only for the purpose of identity verification. If you do not
allow your digital signature, palm scan, and/or digital photograph to be taken,
you will not be allowed to test and you will not receive a refund or credit of any
kind. Note that the palm scan provided at the test center does not fulfill any fingerprint
requirement for teacher certification by a relevant state agency responsible for
educator certification.
Late Arrival Policy
It is essential that you report for your test appointment on time. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late to a test appointment, you may not be admitted. If you arrive late and are not admitted, you will be considered absent and will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. You will need to register and pay again to test on a future date.
You must provide one piece of current, government-issued identification printed in English, in the name in which you registered, bearing your photograph and signature. Your ID must be in the name in which you registered. If your name does not match your ID (e.g., due to a marriage or name change) your ID will not be accepted and you will not be allowed to test. Transitional documentation that may verify the discrepancy, such as a marriage certificate or court order, will not be accepted on the day of the test.
Acceptable forms of identification include the following:
- Driver's license with photograph and signature
- Passport with photograph and signature
- State identification with photograph and signature (provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles for individuals who do not have a driver's license)
- Alien Registration Card (green card, permanent resident visa)
A government-issued ID missing a visible signature or that has an embedded signature must be supplemented with an original (no photocopies), valid (unexpired) ID that has at least a matching name and recent recognizable photograph, or a matching name and signature.
Unacceptable forms of identification include military IDs, draft classification cards, credit cards of any kind, social security cards, student IDs, international driver's licenses, international student IDs, notary-prepared letters or documents, employee identification cards, learner's permits or any temporary identification cards, government employment IDs, and automated teller machine (ATM) cards.
If you do not have proper identification at the time of your test, you will be denied admission to the test session. If you are refused admission to the test, for any reason, you will be considered absent and will receive no credit or refund of any kind.
Please note the following:
- Your middle initial in your account on this website must match the middle name or initial on your ID.
-
If you have a hyphenated last name, one of the following must be true of your name as it appears in your account on this website and on your ID:
-
either both instances must use the complete hyphenated name
or
-
if one instance only uses one last name, it must be the second last name from the
full hyphenated version
If you have any questions about your identification, please contact Evaluation Systems before the day of the test.
As part of the identity verification process, you must provide photographs of (1) your ID, (2) your testing environment, and (3) your face (a headshot). These will be used only for the purpose of identity verification and ensuring a secure testing environment. If you do not provide the required photographs, you will not be allowed to test and you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind.
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