Paraprofessional requirements in California
How to qualify as a paraprofessional in California
In California each district sets its own passing score, so there is no single statewide number to quote you. Here is what the test covers, what most states ask for, and how to find out what your district asks for.
Your passing score
Passing scores are set by the state or the district, never nationally.
Shaded from 332, the score most states use. Not a number this state has published.
Shaded from 334, the score most states use. Not a number this state has published.
Source: ETS state requirements. Your state or district is the authority. Confirm before you book.
What is actually on the exam
ParaPathways is two separately timed, separately scored subtests. You can be ready on one and not the other, so we track them apart. Select any band to see what it covers.
Reading · 60% of Praxis 5758
Main idea, supporting detail, inference, author purpose, vocabulary in context, and applying what you read to a classroom task.
Coached by Sara Hudson
Try one from the ParaPathways right now
Real exam-style questions, written in house, with the reasoning after every one. No sign up, no card.
A recipe calls for 3/8 cup of oats and 1/4 cup of seeds. How many cups of dry ingredients are there in total?
Choose an answer. We will show you why straight after.
Three ways to meet the requirement
Federal law gives Title I paraprofessionals three qualifying routes.
Two years of college
Complete at least two years of study at an institution of higher education.
An associate degree or higher
Hold an associate degree or above. Already earned it, and you are done.
Pass the assessment
Pass a formal state or local assessment. This is the route ParaReady prepares you for, and the only one that does not take two years.
Find out where you stand in California
The free diagnostic scores you against the target that applies to you and shows you which of the two subtests is costing you the most marks. It takes about twenty minutes and you keep the result.
Membership is $30 a month or $100 a year. Reading, writing and math coached by Teachers of the Year, both readiness gauges, and the Pass Guarantee.
Questions we get from California
What score do I need to pass in California?
There is no statewide number. Districts in California set their own passing scores, so ask the district you are applying to which assessment they accept and what they require on each subtest.
Do I need a degree to be a paraprofessional in California?
No. Federal law gives three routes: two years of college, an associate degree, or passing a formal assessment. The assessment is the fastest of the three and the one you can finish this month.
How long does it take to get ready?
It depends where you are starting, which is the whole point of taking the diagnostic first. Most people are working full time, so the boot camp is built in short lessons you can do around a school day.
Can I fail one subtest and pass the other?
Yes, and this catches people out. Reading and Writing and Mathematics are scored separately and each has its own passing score. You can clear one and retake the other. We track the two apart for exactly that reason.
Looking for another state? See paraprofessional requirements in every state.