Purchasing Vouchers

California Assessment Fee Waiver Voucher Update for Programs/Institutions

The California State Budget included the approval of the California Educator Exam and Performance Assessment fee waivers. This means that most California Educator Exam and Performance Assessment fees are now waived for eligible candidates until funds are used. The National Evaluation Series™ (NES®) and the Washington Educator Skills Tests–Endorsements™ (WEST–E™) do not qualify for the fee waivers.

The Purchasing Vouchers policy has not changed for Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) and Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Programs (PASCs). The language in the current California Budget Act does not allow programs or institutions to be reimbursed for exam or performance assessment fees. Candidates are the only entity that can be reimbursed to cover the exam or performance assessment fee. Programs are encouraged to review the California Assessment Fee Waivers Frequently Asked Questions.

Programs that have purchased vouchers may request a courtesy extension for vouchers purchased since July 1, 2022, or for unused expired vouchers. Programs can use purchased or extended vouchers for (1) candidates who do not have a California mailing address; (2) candidates who do not meet other eligibility requirements for the California Assessment Fee Waivers; or (3) if/when the allocated fee waiver funds are exhausted and no longer available.

Vouchers are available for purchase by state education agencies and educator preparation programs to provide candidates with full or partial credit toward fees for test registration.

  • Preparation programs may purchase vouchers in order to assist candidates whose test fees were incorporated into tuition.
  • State agencies may offer vouchers to candidates in support of a specific policy, such as providing them to candidates who meet certain state eligibility criteria to retake a test.
  • Vouchers can be purchased in any quantity and in any dollar amount, determined by the state agency or preparation program.
  • Candidates are able to use vouchers as a form of payment when registering for an exam. Note that vouchers must be applied during the initial registration; they cannot be applied retroactively to existing registrations.
  • Vouchers are valid for one year. The effective dates of the vouchers may be determined by the purchaser.
  • Voucher usage may be tracked upon request in order to identify any unused vouchers prior to expiration. The unused vouchers may then be renewed and redistributed to candidates, ensuring their use.

To purchase test registration vouchers: Please complete and submit a Test Registration Voucher Request Form for any of the California educator assessments listed below.


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