A teacher certification testing program was mandated by the 1980 Oklahoma Legislature in HB 1706. The bill calls for a general upgrading of the teaching profession through more stringent teacher preparation programs, uniformity of training, and a concomitant improvement of salaries to reflect the healthy economy of Oklahoma. A central focus of the legislation is the testing mandate intended to establish a standard for assessment of minimum level competencies in the teaching content areas for which certificates are granted. Actual teaching competencies are addressed in the bill. Successful completion of the curriculum examinations enables graduates of approved teacher education programs from Oklahoma colleges and universities to obtain a license to teach or to do an entry year of teaching. A year of successful teaching precedes certification. There are currently 79 curriculum examinations to coincide with certification areas, and examinees may take as many as eight tests in one 2-day administration. The approval of in-state students' director of teaching education at the college or university is required before the student's test registration will be accepted. (Author/CM)