Proposed budget would waive teacher test fees

California teachers may not have to pay for required exams again next fiscal year. The governor’s newly proposed state budget includes $24 million to waive examination fees for most tests teachers must take to earn a credential.

The funding was also approved in the 2022-23 state budget.

Fees for eligible tests are automatically waived during online registration for each test.

Eligible tests include the California Basic Educational Skills Test, the California Subject Examinations for Teachers, the California Teacher of English Learners, the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment and the California Preliminary Administrative Credential Examination. Fees also would be waived for performance assessments.

The state budget proposal also includes $3 billion for the retention and recruitment of teachers. These are the latest in a series of moves by Gov. Gavin Newsom and state legislators to make it easier for teacher candidates to earn teaching credentials during a nationwide teacher shortage.