163 Special Education Supplemental: 

  • Does not stand alone and forces candidates to take a minimum of 2 exams. 
  • When paired with another exam it will only allow them to teach the grade range dictated by the paired exam.  For Example, Core EC-6 w/STR and the 163 Sped supplemental will only allow interns to teach SPED for grades K-6.  



161 Special Education EC-12:

  • Stands alone and allows you to get immediately into the classroom once passed (See Sped Cheat Sheet) for details.  
  • Should be encouraged by advisors to complete vs. the 163.  
  • Frequently paired with either the 391 Core Subjects W/ STR EC-6 or 211 Core Subjects W/STR 4-8 to make the intern more marketable and allow them to deliver core content while being the classroom teacher.  


Interns can request either the 163 Sped Supplemental or the 161 Special Education EC-12 through their intern portal under Menu> Test Approvals/Scores > Request Test Approval.  


The 163 Special Education Supplemental must be taken prior to the intern earning their intern certificate and cannot be added after the intern is Hired Status unless the intern's teaching assignment has changed and the exam is approved by Certification Support.