Michigan Paraprofessional Requirements
A complete guide to paraprofessional qualification in the Great Lakes State. Required assessments, qualifications, career pathways, and salary information.
Michigan Paraprofessional Quick Facts
Required Score
460 on the retired ParaPro scale (required by MDE), or SAT at least 480 on evidence-based reading and writing and 530 on math
Exam and minimum vary by state or district. Verify the current requirement.
Test Duration
145 min total (85 + 60)
ParaPathways: Reading & Writing 85 min, Mathematics 60 min, timed separately
Test Sections
2
Reading & Writing and Mathematics, scored separately
Test Fee
$59 / $75
ParaPathways: $59 at a test center, $75 at home
School Districts
537
Regular school districts (NCES, 2021-22)
Background Check
Required
Mandatory fingerprint-based background check through Michigan State Police and FBI; Unprofessional Conduct Check with your current or most recent employer (MCL 380.1230b); minimum age is set by the hiring district; Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System (MPSERS) enrollment
Governing Body
Michigan Department of Education (MDE) - No state license; the hiring district checks that you meet the federal Title I paraprofessional requirements; 56 Intermediate School Districts (ISDs)
Alternative Qualifications
- Associate's Degree or higher from accredited institution
- 60 semester hours of college coursework from accredited institution
Annual Pay (Middle 50%)
Teaching assistants, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Overview of Paraprofessional Qualifications in Michigan
To comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Michigan requires that all paraprofessionals who provide instructional support in Title I-funded programs meet rigorous standards of qualification.
ESSA Compliance and State Standards
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) establishes federal requirements that paraprofessionals working in Title I programs must meet one of three qualification pathways: hold a degree, complete college coursework, or pass a formal assessment.
Michigan's Approach: State Requirements, Local Verification
Michigan does not issue a state-level license or certificate for paraprofessionals. The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) sets the Title I paraprofessional requirements, and your hiring school district or Intermediate School District (ISD) checks that you meet them. MDE currently approves the ETS ParaPro (retired after August 31, 2026; scores already earned count) and the SAT. MDE has not yet named ParaPathways, so ask MDE or your hiring district before you register. MTTC Basic Skills/PRE and WorkKeys are listed only as previously approved assessments.
Requirements for Paraprofessionals in Michigan
To work as an instructional paraprofessional in a Michigan Title I school, you need a high school diploma or GED plus one of the following qualifications.
Three Pathways to Qualification
Option 1: Higher Education Degree
Hold an associate's degree or higher (bachelor's, master's) from an accredited college or university.
- The college must be accredited.
- Your district decides what proof it accepts, usually an official transcript; ask its HR office.
Option 2: College Coursework (60 Semester Hours)
Complete at least 60 semester hours of coursework at an accredited institution of higher education.
- Your district decides what proof it accepts, usually an official transcript, and which courses count; ask its HR office.
Option 3: ETS ParaPro (retired) and ParaPathways
MDE currently approves the ETS ParaPro, which was retired after August 31, 2026. MDE requires a passing score of 460 on the retired ParaPro scale, and an already-earned score of 460 or higher still counts. ParaPathways replaced the ParaPro, but MDE has not yet named it, so ask MDE or your hiring district whether it will count before you register.
- 87 questions across two subtests: Reading & Writing (51) and Mathematics (36)
- Available through ETS at-home testing or in person; check the ETS test-center locator for current sites
- The benchmark is a ParaPro score of 460 or higher (retired ParaPro scale). Michigan publishes no rule on scores earned in other states, so ask the hiring district
Option 4: SAT
MDE also currently approves the College Board's SAT: you must score at least 480 on evidence-based reading and writing and 530 on math.
Option 5: MTTC Basic Skills or Professional Readiness Examination (PRE), previously approved
MDE lists the MTTC Basic Skills Test and the Professional Readiness Examination as previously approved assessments. A passing result you already have may still be accepted; ask your district. Michigan no longer requires this exam for teacher certification.
Option 6: ACT WorkKeys Assessment, previously approved
MDE lists WorkKeys as a previously approved assessment, with minimum scores of 4 in Reading for Information, 4 in Applied Math and 3 in Writing. Ask your district whether it still accepts it.
- Ask your district whether it still accepts WorkKeys results before you rely on them
Additional Mandatory Michigan Requirements
- Criminal History Records Check: All school employees must undergo a fingerprint-based background check submitted to both the Michigan State Police and the FBI for state and national records.
- Unprofessional Conduct Check: Michigan law (MCL 380.1230b) requires the district, before hiring you, to ask at least your current or most recent employer to disclose any unprofessional conduct, and you must sign a release allowing it.
- Age: Minimum age is set by the hiring district.
- Education: Must hold a high school diploma or GED.
Who Needs to Meet the Title I Requirements in Michigan?
The requirements apply to paraprofessionals who provide instructional support in a Title I, Part A schoolwide building.
Must Meet Requirements
- • Instructional Paraprofessionals/Assistants: The general title for aides providing academic support in core subjects
- • Title I Paraprofessionals: Aides hired with Title I funds to provide targeted academic interventions
- • Special Education Paraprofessionals: Aides who work under a certified special education teacher to support IEP goals
- • ESL/ELL Paraprofessionals: Assistants who provide language and academic support to English learners (paraprofessionals who only translate are exempt from the college or test requirement)
May Not Need Requirements
- • Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) associate teachers: GSRP, run by MiLEAP, sets its own credential: an associate degree in early childhood education or child development, or a CDA.
- • Lunch Monitors: Staff whose duties are exclusively supervisory
- • Recess and Bus Monitors: Non-instructional supervisory roles
- • Personal Care Assistants (PCAs): Aides whose duties are strictly non-instructional and related to a student's physical or health needs (but if their role includes any instructional support, they must qualify)
Michigan Assessment Details
Here's a breakdown of ParaPathways, the ETS test that replaced the ParaPro after August 31, 2026. MDE has not yet named ParaPathways, so confirm with MDE or your district before you register. It has two separately timed and separately scored subtests: Reading & Writing (5758), 51 questions in 85 minutes, and Mathematics (5759), 36 questions in 60 minutes.
Reading (Reading & Writing subtest 5758: about 30 of 51 questions)
Skills Tested: Reading comprehension, identifying main ideas, locating supporting details, defining vocabulary in context, and making logical inferences.
Michigan Classroom Example: A paraprofessional in a Grand Rapids Public Schools classroom might use these skills to help a small group of students read a historical text about the furniture industry in Grand Rapids. They would guide students to identify the key figures (supporting details) and understand the significance of the industry to the city's history (main idea).
Writing (Reading & Writing subtest 5758: about 21 of 51 questions)
Skills Tested: Knowledge of grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling, plus the ability to apply these skills when helping students with writing assignments.
Michigan Classroom Example: An aide in a Traverse City Area Public Schools high school could use this expertise to help a student proofread a research paper about the ecological importance of the Great Lakes. They would help correct sentence fragments, check comma usage, and fix spelling errors to produce a clear and well-organized paper.
Mathematics (Mathematics subtest 5759: 36 questions)
Skills Tested: Operations with fractions, decimals, and percentages; basic algebra; geometry and measurement; and data interpretation from charts and graphs. The subtest splits about evenly between numbers and operations (about 18 questions) and geometry, measurement and data (about 18), includes some numeric-entry questions where you type the answer, and provides an on-screen four-function calculator.
Michigan Classroom Example: A paraprofessional in a Detroit Public Schools Community District elementary school might help students with a hands-on science project that involves measuring and graphing the growth of plants in an urban garden. This would require working with decimals, creating a line graph, and interpreting the data with the students.
Preparing for Your Michigan Paraprofessional Assessment
How much time you need depends on your starting point. If you recently finished college courses, a couple of weeks of review might be enough. If it's been a while since you worked on formal reading, writing, or math, give yourself more runway.
Recommended Study Timelines
Quick Refresher
Best if you recently finished college coursework or feel confident in reading, writing, and math. Focus on practice tests and reviewing any weak spots.
Solid Preparation
The sweet spot for most people. Gives you enough time to work through a study guide, take practice tests, and revisit topics you're rusty on without feeling rushed.
In-Depth Review
If you've been out of school for a while or math and writing feel unfamiliar, take the extra time. There's no penalty for being well-prepared, and the confidence boost helps on test day.
Free Study Resources
- ETS ParaPathways practice materials: ETS publishes an official ParaPathways Study Companion with sample questions, and when you register you get a free interactive practice test for each subtest you sign up for. Start here if you're taking the ParaPathways route.
- Khan Academy: Great for brushing up on math, from basic arithmetic through algebra and geometry. It's free and self-paced.
- Michigan public library resources: Your Michigan library card gives you access to LearningExpress Library, which has paraprofessional test-prep practice tests and skill-building courses (make sure they cover ParaPathways).
- Online practice tests: Sites like parapropracticetest.com and uniontestprep.com/parapro-assessment offer free practice questions covering reading, writing, and math.
Paid Study Options
You don't need to spend money to pass, but some people prefer the structure of a paid resource. Here are the most common options:
- Paraprofessional test-prep books ($20-40): Available on Amazon or at your local bookstore. Make sure they cover ParaPathways, not only the retired ParaPro.
- Online prep courses ($50-150): These usually include video lessons, quizzes, and multiple full-length practice tests. Helpful if you learn better with guided instruction.
- Video tutorial packages: Some test prep companies sell video bundles focused on specific subjects. These work well if reading-heavy study materials aren't your thing.
Michigan-Specific Tip
MDE currently approves the retired ParaPro and the SAT, and lists the MTTC and WorkKeys only as previously approved assessments. It has not yet named ParaPathways, so ask MDE or your hiring district which assessment it will accept before you start studying. If you already have MTTC or WorkKeys results from before, check whether your district still accepts them.
Test Day: What to Expect in Michigan
Knowing what to expect on test day takes away a lot of the stress. Here's a rundown so you can walk in feeling ready.
What to Bring
ETS lists the identification it accepts in your confirmation email and test-day instructions. Check yours against that list before test day.
Bring the confirmation email or registration receipt from ETS or your ISD.
Testing rooms can be cold. A light jacket or sweater lets you adjust without distraction.
What NOT to Bring
Check-In Procedure
- 1 Follow the ETS check-in instructions. ETS states how early to arrive and what identification to present in your confirmation email and the test-day instructions for the delivery option you chose. Read them before you leave.
- 2 Store personal items. You'll be asked to put your phone, bag, and other belongings in a designated area.
- 3 Take your assigned seat. The proctor will direct you to your spot and go over the testing rules before the clock starts.
Tips for During the Test
Watch your time
Don't spend too long on any single question. If you're stuck, mark it and move on. You can come back to it if there's time left.
Read carefully
Many wrong answers come from misreading the question. Pay attention to words like "not," "except," and "best." They change the meaning entirely.
Eliminate wrong answers
On multiple-choice questions, crossing out answers you know are wrong improves your odds even when you're unsure about the right one.
Don't leave blanks
ETS counts only the questions you answer correctly, so never leave a blank. If time is running out, fill in your best guess for every remaining question.
About Michigan Testing Locations
Some Michigan Intermediate School Districts (ISDs, some named RESA or ESA) have hosted paraprofessional testing. For ParaPathways, register through ETS: at-home testing is often the most convenient option with flexible scheduling, and the ETS test-center locator lists current in-person sites (at a participating district or agency, you register with the center directly).
How to Register for an Assessment in Michigan
The registration process in Michigan is typically handled at the local or regional level, often through ISDs. Here's how to get started.
Choose Your Assessment Pathway
Decide which assessment fits your situation: a ParaPro score you already earned (460 or higher), the SAT (480 on evidence-based reading and writing and 530 on math), or ParaPathways once MDE or your district confirms it counts. MTTC and WorkKeys are listed only as previously approved. If you already have 60+ college credits or a degree, you can skip testing entirely.
Register for Testing
For ParaPathways, register through the ETS website for at-home testing, or find an in-person test center on the ETS locator; if it is a participating district or agency, you register with it directly. MTTC and WorkKeys are listed only as previously approved, so ask your district whether it still accepts them before you register for either.
Pass the Assessment and Get Your Score Report
Once you pass, keep your official score report safe. This is the document you'll present to school districts as proof that you meet the requirements. Districts will also want your official college transcripts if you're qualifying through the degree or credit-hour pathway.
After the Test: The Michigan Hiring Process
Meeting the requirements through one of the pathways above is your key to moving forward in the hiring process.
- Step 1: Get Your Qualifications in Order. Have your proof of qualification ready before you apply. That means your official score report or college transcripts in hand.
- Step 2: Search for Jobs. Hiring is decentralized in Michigan. Search on individual school district and ISD websites. Many districts post openings on their own sites and on regional job boards such as MIREAP.
- Step 3: Apply Thoroughly. Upload your resume, letters of reference, and proof of qualification (scanned score report or transcripts).
- Step 4: Interview. Once HR verifies that you meet the requirements, your application goes to principals with open positions. A principal or assistant principal will contact you to schedule an interview.
- Step 5: Conditional Job Offer. If the interview goes well, the principal recommends you for hire, and HR extends a conditional offer.
- Step 6: Fingerprint Background Check and Onboarding. You'll be given forms and instructions to schedule your fingerprinting for the state and national background checks, plus the unprofessional conduct check.
- Step 7: Finalization. Once all background checks clear and pre-employment paperwork is complete, your employment is finalized and you'll be scheduled for new hire orientation.
Pathway to Teaching in Michigan
The MDE's Grow Your Own Staff Grant supports partnerships between PK-12 schools and educator preparation providers to develop pathways for school support staff to earn initial teacher certification. Ask your district whether it takes part.
If you already have a bachelor's degree, alternative certification programs are available, and your hands-on classroom experience as a paraprofessional makes you an especially strong candidate.
Paraprofessional Salary and Employment in Michigan
Pay varies by district; check the salary schedule the district posts.
Middle 50% of Earners
Top 10% Earn
Typical Benefits Package
Michigan Test Centers
If you take the ETS ParaPathways test, ETS lists community-based test centers by state and also offers at-home testing. Some school districts and agencies are test centers; contact the center directly to book.
Practical notes
- • Some of Michigan's 56 Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) (some named RESA or ESA) have hosted paraprofessional testing; check the ETS locator for current ParaPathways sites
- • Contact the ISD serving your county (e.g., Oakland Schools, Macomb ISD, Kent ISD) for WorkKeys testing schedules
- • Many districts post openings on their own sites and on regional job boards such as MIREAP
Frequently Asked Questions - Michigan Paraprofessionals
Is there a state-level license for paraprofessionals in Michigan?
No. Michigan has no state license for paraprofessionals; the hiring district checks that you meet the federal Title I paraprofessional requirements. Ask your district what proof it needs.
What is an ISD?
An Intermediate School District is a regional service agency in Michigan. There are 56 ISDs across the state, and they provide a wide range of support to local school districts, including special education services and professional development.
How do I find job openings in Michigan?
Many districts post openings on their own sites and on regional job boards such as MIREAP. You can also look directly at the "Human Resources" or "Employment" pages of individual school district and ISD websites.
I passed the ParaPro test in another state. Will Michigan accept my score?
Michigan's published benchmark is a ParaPro score of 460 or higher, but the state publishes no rule on scores earned in other states. Ask the hiring district whether it accepts your official ETS score report.
How long does it take to get certified?
The timeline varies by state and district and includes background check clearance. Ask your district or state education agency for the current steps.
Can I work while completing my certification?
Some districts allow provisional or probationary employment while you complete requirements, but this varies by district policy.
What happens if I don't pass the assessment?
ETS lets you retake ParaPathways once as soon as you like; if you need more attempts after that, you wait 21 days after your most recent one. You can register for just one subtest ($37.50 at home, $29.50 at a test center), but ask your district whether a subtest you already passed still counts. Use the time to study the subtest you missed.
Ready to Start Your Michigan Paraprofessional Career?
Take practice tests and prepare for success on your assessment.