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Which standardized tests qualify for PEP? CLT, CAT & SLP rules.

Florida law requires every PEP student to complete a yearly norm-referenced test or assessment to renew the scholarship. Here is what tests qualify, how registration fees are reimbursed, and how to meet your annual Student Learning Plan deadline, read on November 5, 2026.

  • ProgramFlorida PEP, through Step Up for Students
  • Checked

For Florida PEP families whose scholarship is managed by Step Up for Students. Sourced from Florida Statute § 1002.394, the official PEP Purchasing Guide, and the PEP Family Handbook. Independent guide, not affiliated with Step Up; when anything here differs from Step Up’s current pages, Step Up is right.

Quick answers.

Is standardized testing required for Florida PEP students?
Yes. Florida law requires PEP scholarship students in eligible grades to complete an annual assessment or nationally norm-referenced test and provide the results to renew the scholarship.
Does Step Up pay for standardized test registration fees?
Yes. Step Up’s purchasing guide confirms: “Fees associated with standardized testing or examinations are eligible expenses under PEP.”
What standardized testing is approved under Florida PEP?
Step Up’s purchasing guide approves: “Advanced Placement (AP) examinations”, career and postsecondary assessments, industry certification examinations, and “Nationally and state standardized, norm-referenced assessments”.
How do parents submit test fees for reimbursement in EMA?
Parents register the student, pay the testing fee out of pocket, and upload the paid receipt showing the student's name, test date, and registration breakdown under Testing and Assessment Fees in EMA.

The short version.

Under Florida Statute § 1002.394, participating in the Personalized Education Program requires completing an annual academic assessment. Step Up covers testing costs and sets specific parameters for qualifying examinations:

  • Testing fees are fully eligible: Step Up’s rulebook states: “Fees associated with standardized testing or examinations are eligible expenses under PEP.”
  • Approved exam types: The guide authorizes “Nationally and state standardized, norm-referenced assessments”, as well as “Advanced Placement (AP) examinations”, industry certifications, and postsecondary exams.
  • Common tests families use: Popular choices include the Classic Learning Test (CLT, CLT10, CLT3–8), California Achievement Test (CAT), Iowa Assessments, and Stanford Achievement Test (Stanford 10).
  • Submitting in EMA: Pay the test provider or online proctoring service directly, then submit the paid invoice for reimbursement under Testing and Assessment Fees.

For general renewal requirements and the Student Learning Plan, see our guide on PEP testing and the SLP and how to renew the PEP scholarship.

Approved test types under Step Up rules.

Step Up's Testing and Assessment Fees category outlines several approved examination paths:

Assessment Category Common Examples How It Qualifies
Norm-Referenced Tests CLT, CAT, Iowa Assessments, Stanford 10 Meets the statutory annual testing mandate for PEP renewal.
College & Postsecondary PSAT, SAT, ACT, CLT10 Evaluates high school students for postsecondary readiness.
Advanced Placement College Board AP Examinations Authorized under “Advanced Placement (AP) examinations”.
Placement & Evaluations Curriculum placement exams, diagnostic tests Authorized under initial or re-evaluation assessments.

For complete category definitions and prohibited testing prep materials, see what PEP covers and the PEP Purchasing Guide, explained.

Testing and the Student Learning Plan.

Florida law ties annual testing to the Student Learning Plan (SLP):

  1. Spring testing window: Most homeschool testing organizations schedule their primary testing windows between March and May. Booking registrations in late autumn or winter ensures test availability and proctor scheduling.
  2. Uploading test scores: Once testing results are delivered, families submit the composite score report to Step Up through EMA as part of the student's end-of-year accountability documentation.
  3. Reimbursement submission: Testing registration fees should be submitted through EMA promptly after payment. Invoices must show the student's full name, test title, testing date, and payment confirmation.

For full invoice and receipt requirements, see our Step Up reimbursement guide. For questions regarding specific testing providers, contact Step Up's Customer Engagement Center at (877) 735-7837.

Track testing deadlines and receipts in one place.
The Florida PEP Tracker keeps student assessment records, test fee reimbursements, and renewal deadlines organized offline on your device.
One payment, no subscription: $49 for one student or $69 for a family. See pricing.

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Sources.

All read on November 5, 2026. We re-check them when new editions are published.

  • PEP Purchasing Guide

    Step Up for Students web page, last modified October 28, 2026, read November 5, 2026: Testing and Assessment Fees, Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, and norm-referenced assessments.

    stepupforstudents.org
  • PEP Family Handbook (2026–27)

    Step Up for Students web page, last modified October 28, 2026, read November 5, 2026: annual testing requirements, Student Learning Plan submission, and scholarship renewal rules.

    stepupforstudents.org