Hiring teachers is a school and state decision, and some states require only a bachelor's degree and certification exam while others require a master's degree and even additional training. Federal law does not require competency tests, but many educational professionals consider them essential for raising the bar on teacher competency.
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 outlined the definition and need for highly qualified teachers. According to NCLB, teachers are deemed highly qualified if they hold a bachelor's degree, have a state certification or license, or prove they know the subject they teach. The only requirement of the states is to measure the extent to which all students have highly qualified teachers, adopt necessary goals, and publish goals and progress. The question whether a competency test should be taken is not considered by the required demonstration of competency, which requires teachers to hold a degree majoring in the subject matter they teach, hold a graduate degree, obtain certification from the state, or pass a state-developed test.
If the purpose of competency tests is to ensure proficient, highly qualified teachers, then tests should be given before teachers even enter the field, but in some states like Texas, veteran teachers are facing the realization they may have to pass new competency tests set by the state. Current, new and preservice Houston teachers are now required to pass written proficiency tests when hired and every six years after in attempts to help teachers improve in deficient areas.
Other professions have national competency tests, like the bar exam for lawyers or the medical boards for doctors, so why not teaching? Since teacher certification does not always require examination, creating a national competency test could create a national standard for teachers. Tests like the National Evaluation Series (NES) offer states a choice in certification of educators through tests based on academic standards and professionally reviewed material. Those who feel competency tests do not provide an accurate depiction of teacher competency raise the question of fairness. Currently, it is up to the states as to how they want to certify teachers and assess competency, but with the move to national standards, perhaps a national teacher competency is on the horizon.