California educators planning to teach science at the secondary school level typically must pass the CSET Science exam. CSET Science consists of two subtests. Each CSET Science subtest may be taken and passed separately.
Subtest 1 (test code 215) covers Scientific Practices, Engineering Design and Applications, and Crosscutting Concepts; Physical Sciences; Life Sciences; and Earth and Space Sciences.
Subtest 2 exams are specialized exams offered in four areas of concentration: Life Sciences (217); Chemistry (218); Earth and Space Sciences (219); and Physics (220).
Candidates seeking a foundational-level general science certification need only pass subtest 1. Candidates seeking the Single Subject Credential in a specific science area must pass subtest 1 plus the subtest 2 exam corresponding to their specific area of concentration.
All subtests consist of both multiple-choice and constructed-response questions. An on-screen scientific calculator is provided.
2025 CSET Science Testing Costs*
Below is an overview of the 2025 CSET Science testing fees for computer-based testing.
|
Service |
Fees |
|
Registration for Subtest 1 (215) |
$133 test registration fee |
|
Registration for Subtest 2 (217-220) |
$134 test registration fee |
|
Registration for Combined Test (Subtests 1 and 2) |
$267 test registration fee |
|
Change of registration |
No fee |
|
Additional copy of test results |
$10 per copy |
|
Score verification for constructed-response (CR) section |
$50 per subtest |
|
Fee to clear an account |
$20 |
2025 CSET Science Test Dates*
Computer-based testing for the CSET Science exam is available year-round by appointment, Monday through Saturday (excluding some holidays), on a first-come, first-served basis during the testing windows listed below.
|
CSET Science Test Dates |
Results Release Date |
|
10/21/24 - 11/17/24 |
12/6/24 |
|
11/18/24 - 12/15/24 |
1/3/25 |
|
12/16/24 - 1/12/25 |
1/31/25 |
|
1/13/25 - 2/9/25 |
2/28/25 |
|
2/10/25 - 3/9/25 |
3/28/25 |
|
3/10/25 - 4/6/25 |
4/25/25 |
|
4/7/25 - 5/4/25 |
5/23/25 |
|
5/5/25 - 6/1/25 |
6/20/25 |
|
6/2/25 - 6/29/25 |
7/18/25 |
|
6/30/25 - 7/27/25 |
8/15/25 |
|
7/28/25 - 8/24/25 |
9/12/25 |
|
8/25/25 - 9/21/25 |
10/10/25 |
|
9/22/25 - 10/19/25 |
11/7/25 |
|
10/20/25 - 11/16/25 |
12/5/25 |
*This information is subject to change. All test-takers should visit the official CSET website at https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com to confirm fees, registration, and testing requirements before enrolling.
