Praxis 5551 Health Education

Praxis 5551 Passing Score: State-by-State Cut Scores and What They Mean

The score you need to pass the Praxis 5551 is set by your state, not by ETS. Here is every state cut score in one place, plus how scaled scoring works and what to do if you need to retake the exam.

Start Free Practice Session

Opens in your browser. Nothing to install. No sign-up.

How Praxis 5551 Scoring Works

Before you look up your state’s cut score, it helps to understand exactly what the score on your report actually represents.

The Praxis 5551 consists of 120 selected-response questions delivered over 2 hours. Your answers produce a raw score, which is simply the number of questions you answered correctly. ETS then converts that raw score to a scaled score on a range of 100 to 200. The conversion accounts for small differences in difficulty between test versions, so a 157 on one version of the exam represents the same level of performance as a 157 on any other version.

ETS does not set passing scores. Each state or licensing agency sets its own cut score, which is the minimum scaled score required for licensure in that state. The same exam performance that earns a license in one state may not meet the requirement in another. Always verify your state’s current cut score directly with your state licensing board before you schedule your test date, since cut scores can change.

100–200 Scaled Score Range

120 Questions on the Exam

142–164 Cut Score Range by State

28 States That Require It

Three Things Every Candidate Should Know

Understanding these three points prevents the most common score-report surprises.

Your Cut Score Depends on Your State

Connecticut and South Carolina require a 164. Hawaii accepts a 142. The same exam performance that qualifies you in one state may not qualify you in another. Look up your specific state in the table below and treat that number as your personal target score.

Raw Score and Scaled Score Are Not the Same

Your score report shows a scaled score, not a percentage of questions correct. You do not need to answer all 120 questions correctly to earn a passing scaled score. The number of questions you need to get right depends on your state’s cut score and the specific difficulty weighting of the version you took.

Scores Are Reported Within 10 to 16 Days

For computer-delivered exams, unofficial scores are available immediately after you finish testing at the testing center. Official scores, which are the ones your licensing board receives, are typically available in your ETS account within 10 to 16 business days after your test date.

Praxis 5551 Cut Scores by State

Only the states listed here currently require the Praxis 5551 for health education licensure. If your state is not listed, confirm your state’s requirements directly with your licensing board, as requirements change.

State	Required Cut Score
Alabama	154
Alaska	155
Colorado	155
Connecticut Highest	164
Delaware	162
Hawaii Lowest	142
Idaho	155
Indiana	155
Kansas	153
Kentucky	150
Maine	156
Maryland	155
Mississippi	149
Nebraska	155
Nevada	149
New Mexico	155
North Carolina	156
North Dakota	154
Pennsylvania	158
Rhode Island	162
South Carolina Highest	164
South Dakota	145
Tennessee	144
Utah	162
Vermont	163
West Virginia	156
Wisconsin	151
Wyoming	156
Cut scores sourced from ETS state requirements and verified licensing resources. Always confirm your state’s current requirement with your licensing board before testing, as scores are subject to change.

How to Read Your Score Report

Your official score report contains more useful information than just your total score. Here is what each section means and how to use it.

Total Scaled Score

This is the number on a 100 to 200 scale that your licensing board will compare to your state’s cut score. This is the only number that determines whether you pass or fail for licensure purposes. Compare it to your state’s required score in the table above.

Performance by Category

Your report shows a performance breakdown across the five content categories. This section is especially valuable if you did not pass: it tells you precisely which categories dragged your score down and where to focus your preparation before retaking. Even if you passed, reviewing this breakdown can confirm which areas of your professional knowledge are strongest.

Passing Status Indicator

If your state’s cut score is on file with ETS, your report will show a passing or not passing indicator alongside your total score. If your state is not listed or if you are testing for licensure in a different state than the one on file, you will need to compare your scaled score to the appropriate cut score manually.

Score Validity Period

Praxis scores are valid for 10 years from the date of testing. If you passed years ago but are now seeking licensure in a different state, confirm with that state’s licensing board that your existing score is still within their accepted validity window before paying to retest.

If You Did Not Pass: What to Do Next

Not passing the Praxis 5551 on the first attempt is more common than most candidates expect. Here is a focused plan for what to do next.

1
Wait for your official score report
Your official score report, available within 10 to 16 business days, includes the category performance breakdown you need to plan your retake. Do not schedule a retake date before you have reviewed it. The unofficial score you see at the testing center does not include the category detail.
2
Identify the categories where you lost the most points
Your category performance data tells you exactly where your preparation was weakest. Candidates who fail by a narrow margin almost always have one or two categories that dragged their total score below the cut. Concentrate your retake preparation in those specific areas rather than re-studying the entire exam.
3
Check your state’s retake waiting period
ETS requires a 28-day waiting period between test attempts. Some states impose additional waiting requirements. Confirm your state’s policy with your licensing board before you schedule a new test date.
4
Practice with scenario-based questions in your weak categories
Focused practice in the categories where you underperformed is the most efficient use of your retake preparation time. Mastery Labs tracks your performance by category, so you can drill the specific content areas that cost you points without re-covering material you already know well.
5
Take a full-length timed practice exam before you retest
Before scheduling your next attempt, take a complete 120-question practice exam under a 2-hour time limit. Your score on that exam is your best predictor of readiness. Schedule your retake date when your practice score is consistently above your state’s cut score, not before.

Know Your Score Before Test Day

Mastery Labs gives you a real-time readiness score so you can see exactly where you stand relative to your state’s cut score before you set foot in a testing center. Every question is written to ETS item standards and covers all five content categories.