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Start your path to the classroom
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The National Evaluation Series gives you a clear, state-specific path from preparation to a passing score.
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Find your state & exam
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What gets in the way of becoming a certified teacher?
You want a clear path. We help you see it.
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State requirements, decoded
Look up what your state asks for in one place, with the exact National Evaluation Series (NES) exams listed, no policy walls to climb.
Prep built for the exam
NES Right Start™ courses and free practice tests are written for the same blueprint your test is built on, so what you study is what you sit.
Two ways to test
Book a seat at a Pearson test center or take your exam at home with OnVUE™ online proctoring, whichever fits your week.
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Built on fair measurement
Every NES exam is designed with educators and grounded in research-backed measurement, so your score reflects classroom readiness, not test-taking craft.
The NES family at a glance
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Six products guide you from understanding requirements to results, with flexible test center or at-home delivery options. Each item stands alone; together they cover the full route.
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National Evaluation Series exams
State-adopted licensure exams
The NES exam suite that multiple US states adopt for initial teacher licensure, covering the subject and pedagogy areas your classroom needs.
See the test list
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NES Right Start prep courses
Online exam preparation
Online prep courses written for NES content areas, so the time you spend studying maps directly to what your exam tests.
Browse Right Start
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NES Practice Tests & Sample Questions
Free self-assessment
Free practice questions and full-length practice tests for self-assessment, so you walk into the exam already knowing how it feels.
Start practicing
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State Requirements Tool
State exam lookup
Pick your state and see the exact NES exams you need, the score targets your state sets, and where to register.
Check your state
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Institutional Services for EPPs & state agencies
For programs & agencies
Correlation tables, frameworks, voucher programs, and reporting that help educator preparation programs (EPPs) and state agencies evidence candidate readiness at scale.
Talk to our team
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Foundations of AI for Educators
Early-career development
Foundations of AI for Educators™ is forward-looking professional development inside the NES ecosystem, helping new teachers build the AI judgment classrooms now expect.
Explore the program
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Where can you take your NES exam?
Two delivery options, one exam. Pick the setting that matches your week, your nerves, and your tech, then book a date.
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At a Pearson test center
Sit your NES exam in a familiar testing room, with check-in, equipment, and proctors handled for you. Centers are spread across the US, so most candidates find one within a manageable drive. Book the date and location that work for your schedule.
Find a test center
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From home with OnVUE
Take your NES exam from a quiet room at home, supervised by a live proctor through your webcam. You will need a working camera, microphone, a 6 Mbps internet connection, and a clear desk. Full system requirements sit on the OnVUE info page.
Check OnVUE requirements
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Which NES product fits where you are?
The right NES product depends on whether you are scoping the route, building readiness, sharpening for the test, or sitting it. Use the table to match where you are today with the appropriate path.
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- NES product or platform
- Who it is best for
- What it solves and how it helps
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- State Requirements Tool
- Candidates at the start of the route
- You do not yet know which NES exam your state requires. Pick your state and the tool returns the exact exam list and score targets.
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- NES Right Start prep courses
- Candidates 6 to 12 weeks out from test day
- You want structured study aligned to the exam blueprint. Right Start lessons cover each content area your exam tests.
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- NES Practice Tests & Sample Questions
- Candidates 2 to 6 weeks out from test day
- You want to know how the exam will feel and where your gaps are. Free practice mirrors the live test format.
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- NES exams (Pearson test center)
- Candidates ready to sit the exam in person
- You prefer a controlled testing room, with equipment and proctors handled for you. Centers sit across the US.
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- NES exams (OnVUE online)
- Candidates ready to sit the exam at home
- You prefer to test from a quiet room and your set-up meets the OnVUE system requirements.
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- Institutional Services
- EPPs and state agencies
- You need correlation tables, vouchers, frameworks, and reporting to evidence readiness at scale and meet accreditation.
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- Foundations of AI for Educators
- Newly certified teachers and EPPs
- You want classroom-ready AI judgment built into early-career professional development.
Common questions about getting NES-certified
Quick answers to the questions candidates and institutions ask most often.
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Which NES exam does my state require for the subject I want to teach?
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It depends on your state and the subject or grade level you plan to teach. The State Requirements Tool lists the exact NES exams your state has adopted, the score targets, and the registration steps. Start there before you book anything.
How do I register for an NES exam & what is the retake policy if I need it?
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Register through your NES account and choose a test center or OnVUE at-home delivery. Retake policies vary by exam and state, so check your exam's policy page before rescheduling.
Should I prepare with NES Right Start, NES Practice Tests, or both together?
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Use both. Start with Right Start for structured preparation, then use practice tests and sample questions to check readiness closer to exam day.
What is the difference between OnVUE at-home testing & a test center?
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OnVUE lets you take your exam at home with live remote proctoring. Test Centers provide a controlled environment with on-site support. Content and scoring are identical — only the setting differs.
When will I get my score report & how is the exam scored?
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Most NES exams provide a scaled score within the timeframe listed on the exam profile page. Passing thresholds are set by state and remain consistent, whether you test at home or in a center.
Can I request testing accommodations for my NES exam?
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Yes. Accommodations are available for both OnVUE and test center delivery. Submit a request through your NES account before you book your appointment, and allow time for review. Accessibility is a standing commitment across the NES route.
How do EPPs & state agencies engage Pearson on NES partnership?
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Educator preparation programs and state education agencies can engage Pearson directly for correlation tables, frameworks, voucher programs, and reporting through Institutional Services. Talk to our team to start a partnership conversation.
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Take an assessment
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Check your state requirements first
The fastest first step is the State Requirements Tool. Pick your state, see the NES exams you need, then come back to register.
Open the State Requirements Tool
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Register for your NES exam
Sign in to your NES account to book a Pearson test center seat or an OnVUE at-home slot. New here? Create your account in a few minutes.
Sign in or register for an exam
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Start preparing
Use NES Right Start for structured study and Practice Tests for self-checks closer to your exam day.
Browse your prep options
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Retaking your exam?
Returning candidates can reschedule, review their score report, and plan a targeted retake using their previous performance.
Sign in to plan a retake
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Prepare a candidate
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Partner on candidate readiness
EPPs use NES correlation tables, frameworks, and reporting to evidence candidate readiness against state and accreditation requirements.
Explore institutional services
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Voucher programs for cohorts
Programs running cohorts at scale can purchase voucher bundles to simplify candidate registration and budget management.
See the voucher programs
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Talk to our institutional team
A short conversation gets you a tailored proposal for your program, your state, and your accreditation cycle.
Start the partnership conversation
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Partner with us
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Adopt NES in your state
State education agencies adopt NES for fair, research-backed measurement at the scale a state licensure system needs, with delivery handled across the Pearson network.
Find out more
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Frameworks, results & reporting
State partners get the documentation, results data, and partnership support they need to defend and evolve their licensure system.
Review the state services
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