LDOE certification office flags ETS 'Free After 3' Praxis policy and links resources for educators

Rachel Norman, Director of Certification for the Department of Education, announced that Educational Testing Services (ETS) has launched a 'Free After 3' policy for Praxis test-takers effective Oct. 1. Under the program, an educator who has completed three attempts on the same Praxis test and has reported scores may be eligible for a subsequent attempt paid by ETS if the educator’s first attempt on that test was on or after Oct. 1.

"Any educator ... that has completed 3 attempts on the same Praxis test, will be eligible, again, on or after October 1, will be eligible for after 3 attempts to have that exam ... paid for at the cost of ETS," Norman said, adding that eligibility depends on the record of reported scores and the date of the first attempt.

Norman told participants the Department has posted a flyer and FAQs on TeachLouisiana.net to help educators and preparation programs determine eligibility and next steps. She encouraged local HR and program-provider staff to circulate the guidance to candidates and to direct individual questions to the Department’s help resources.

The announcement is procedural rather than regulatory: Norman framed the change as an ETS-administered testing accommodation/program and directed listeners to the ETS and TeachLouisiana resources for the program’s terms and step-by-step instructions. The Department did not announce any changes to local certification requirements tied to Praxis scores; staff recommended consulting the posted FAQs or contacting the certification help center for case-specific questions.