RICA
Update: The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) previously announced that the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) had been retired and would no longer be offered after June 30, 2025. However, on July 2, the CTC announced that the governor had signed Assembly Bill 121, which contains provisions allowing specified candidates until October 31, 2025 to take and pass the RICA.
Some teacher candidates may now have three options: take the RICA before October 31, take a Commission-approved performance assessment that includes literacy instruction, or take the Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT). We advise consulting with the CTC or your credential advisor for details about your individual situation and requirements.
Teachers Test Prep will continue offering our existing RICA prep programs for as long as the test is available, and we also now offer both live and self-paced FoRT preparation.
Read below for more info about the RICA Exam or learn about FoRT.
This page provides access to all the key info you need as a RICA test-taker, including 2025 exam dates, testing center locations, fees, registration info and prep resources.
You can also view our free RICA Study Guides for a concise, bullet-pointed listing of exactly which topics appear on your exam. Then take our free RICA Practice Tests to see your current likelihood of passing and a breakdown of your individual strengths and weaknesses.
Need help preparing? We offer live RICA Prep Courses, one-on-one Tutoring, and self-paced Online Prep.
| RICA Quick Facts | |
| Test Content: | Subtest 1: Word Analysis and Fluency. Subtest 2: Vocabulary, Academic Language and Background Knowledge; Comprehension. Subtest 3: Planning, Organization, and Managing Reading Instruction Based on Ongoing Assessment. |
| Number of questions: | Subtests 1 and 2: 35 multiple-choice and 2 constructed response questions per subtest; Subtest 3: 25 multiple-choice and 1 case study |
| Time to complete: | Subtests 1 and 2: 1 hour and 15 minutes per subtest; Subtest 3: 1 hour and 30 minutes |
| Passing score: | 220 per subtest (scaled score) |
RICA Overview
The Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) is designed to ensure that candidates for the California Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential and Education Specialist Instruction Credential possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective reading instruction.
The written exam is comprised of 3 subtests. Subtest 1 covers the domains Word Analysis and Fluency. Subtest 2 covers Vocabulary, Academic Language, and Background Knowledge, as well as Comprehension. Subtest 3 covers just one domain: Planning, Organizing, and Managing Reading Instruction Based on Ongoing Assessment.
The RICA Written exam is currently available in computer-based and online-proctored format. The computer-based exam must be taken in a testing center. The online-proctored exam can be taken remotely.
Instead of completing the written exam, candidates may choose to take the RICA Video Performance Assessment. This allows them to be evaluated based on classroom performance and involves them creating and submitting videos of themselves teaching reading.
2025 RICA Testing Costs*
Below is an overview of the 2025 RICA testing fees. Registration fees for California educator examinations are currently being waived for eligible California residents. Visit the official testing service website to learn more.
| RICA Service | Fees |
|---|---|
| Registration for RICA Written Examination | $57 per subtest |
| Registration for RICA Video Performance Assessment | $171 |
| Change of registration | No fee |
| Additional copy of test results | $10 per copy |
| Score verification for constructed-response section | $50 per subtest |
| Fee to clear an account | $20 |
2025 RICA Test Dates*
Computer-based testing for the RICA Written exam is available at testing centers year-round by appointment, Monday through Saturday (excluding some holidays), on a first-come, first-served basis during the testing windows listed below.
| RICA Test Dates - Computer-Based | Results Release Date |
|---|---|
| 6/9/25-6/22/25 | 7/2/25 |
| 6/23/25-6/30/25 | 7/16/25 |
Online-proctored testing is available by appointment during one-week testing windows each month. Testing windows are listed below.
| RICA Test Dates - Online-Proctored | Results Release Date |
|---|---|
| Week of June 16, 2025 | July 2, 2025 |
| Week of June 23, 2025 | July 16, 2025 |
For the RICA Video Performance Assessment, completed video packets and payment must be received by the deadline for results to be mailed out on the corresponding release date.
| RICA Video Submission Deadline | Results Release Date |
|---|---|
| 6/16/25 | 7/3/25 |
| 6/30/25 | 7/16/25 |
*This information is subject to change. All test-takers should visit the official RICA website at https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com to confirm fees, registration, and testing requirements before enrolling.
Free Tools to Help You Get Started
Not sure how you’ll perform on the exam? Start by viewing our free RICA Study Guide to get a concise overview of exactly what subject matter will appear on your exam. Then take our free, full-length RICA Practice Test with diagnostics to see your overall likelihood of passing and identify any areas in which you may need to improve.
Online Prep Programs That Guarantee You'll Pass
Our Core Plus Online Prep Programs feature:
- instructional videos that teach you the exact content you need to pass
- interactive practice tests that replicate the real exam
- virtual tutoring videos that guide you through every practice question
- advanced diagnostics that offer in-depth insights into your strengths and weaknesses
And they’re backed by the strongest guarantee available: If you don’t pass, you don’t pay.*
(*See our Guarantees page for details.)
Our Partners
As the nationwide leader in credentialing exam preparation, Teachers Test Prep is proud to serve over 850,000 individual account holders as well as top universities, schools and teachers’ organizations.
Are you an administrator at a teacher preparation program? Please visit our Organizational Partnership Program page to learn more about how we can give you the diagnostic insights and support services you need to help your aspiring teachers succeed on their certification exams.
