The Regulations on Teacher Certification of the Puerto Rico Department of Education (DEPR) provides for the passing of a competency exam as one of the requirements for obtaining the
regular teacher certificate from the Department of Education. The review, which has been prepared by the College Board with the collaboration of professors from the different university institutions of Puerto Rico DEPR’s rich and personal test, it is known as the Test for Teacher Certification (PCMAS).
As part of the new policies of the Puerto Rico Department of Education (DEPR) and the new requirements for accreditation of teacher preparation programs, College Board of Puerto Rico undertook a process of revision and reconceptualization of PCMAS. In the CC 13-2019-2020 state that, as of March 2020, the PCMAS will offer only two tests. These are:
- General PCMAS with pedagogical situation for the primary level – which measures knowledge and competencies that are considered essential for teachers to be able to perform efficient way at the primary level.
- General PCMAS with pedagogical situation for the secondary level – which measures those knowledge and skills that are considered essential for teachers to be able to perform efficiently at the secondary level.
The curriculum offered by the Department of Education and Physical Education of the University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla (UPRAg) is preparatory to the primary level, which includes the Bachelor of Arts Program in Elementary Education (K-6). In addition, it offers Bachelor of Arts in Education with a concentration in English with Multimedia Technology and the Bachelor of Arts in Education with a concentration in English with Online Multimedia Technology. This latest baccalaureate program will be offered online beginning in August 2023.
The minimum passing scale score established for the General PCMAS at the primary levels and secondary is 89. The College Board states that the minimum score required to pass the
PCMAS shall be reviewed periodically within a period not exceeding five years. In this way. It ensures that passing standards are adjusted to the dynamics of the public education system and to the demands of the professional teaching class.