Paraprofessional requirements in Louisiana
How to qualify as a paraprofessional in Louisiana
In Louisiana the state sets the passing score for the para exam, and it is published. Here is the number you are aiming at, what the test covers, and how to be ready for it.
Your passing score
Passing scores are set by the state or the district, never nationally.
Pass at 332 and above, on a 310 to 350 scale.
Pass at 334 and above, on a 310 to 350 scale.
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 Louisiana
The free diagnostic scores you against Louisiana's own numbers 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 Louisiana
What score do I need to pass in Louisiana?
Louisiana sets 332 on Reading and Writing and 334 on Mathematics. Each subtest is scored on its own, so you have to clear both. Effective April 20, 2026. Confirm with the state before you book.
Do I need a degree to be a paraprofessional in Louisiana?
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.