What Tests Do I Need to Take?

Foundations of Reading Test

This section has information related to the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) as required by Wisconsin State Statute §118.19 (14). Wisconsin has adopted the updated Foundations of Reading test (test code 190), which will open for registration on this site beginning August 30, 2022.

Effective January 31, 2014, applicants for initial licensure as a K–5 elementary teacher (elementary/middle K–9 license), initial reading teacher or initial reading specialist, as listed below, must receive a passing score on the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test (FORT). For those seeking a special education license, state statutes allow for passage on the FORT or completion of a course of study approved by DPI to demonstrate knowledge and skill in the teaching of reading.

Wisconsin test takers will be able to take the 090 version of the FORT through December 31, 2022. Beginning on August 31, 2022, test takers may take the newer, 190, version of the FORT. The 190 test is the only version of the FORT that will be available to test takers after December 31, 2022. Passing scores from both the 090 and 190 versions of the FORT will be accepted by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

• Early Childhood – Regular Education (70–777)
• Early Childhood – Special Education (70–809)
• Early Childhood – Middle Childhood (71–777)
• Middle Childhood – Early Adolescence (72–777)
• Middle Childhood – Early Adolescence Cross Categorical (72–801)
• Middle Childhood – Early Adolescence Specific Learning Disabilities (72–811)
• Middle Childhood – Early Adolescence Emotional Behavioral Disabilities (72–830)
• Middle Childhood – Early Adolescence Cognitive Disabilities (72–810)
• Early Adolescence – Adolescence Cross Categorical (73–801)
• Early Adolescence – Adolescence Specific Learning Disabilities (73–811)
• Early Adolescence – Adolescence Emotional Behavioral Disabilities (73–830)
• Early Adolescence – Adolescence Cognitive Disabilities (73–810)
• Early Childhood – Adolescence Visual Impairments (74–825)
• Reading Teacher (316)
• Reading Specialist (17)

This requirement is in addition to the current testing requirements as outlined on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) website .

NES Tests

As of December 2010, Wisconsin educators who hold a valid Professional Educator, Master Educator, or Life License in social studies, science, English language arts, or mathematics/computer science are eligible to add on licensure in a related area based on passing a content test approved by the State Superintendent. The NES tests on this website have been approved for this purpose.

To apply for a license in this pathway, a Professional Educator must hold a valid Wisconsin Professional Educator License (License Type: 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 40, 41, 42, or 43), Master Educator License (License Type: 50, 51, or 52) or Life License (License Type: 08) in the related subject area identified above.

For additional information and requirements, please read more on the Wisconsin DPI website .