Official edTPA Submission and Reporting Dates for 2025 Through 2027

The edTPA submission schedule is a critical calendar for every teacher candidate in the United States. Successfully navigating these deadlines is not just about finishing a portfolio; it is about ensuring your professional teaching certification and graduation occur on time. While Pearson maintains a national schedule for submission and reporting, the most important date you must follow is the one set by your specific Educator Preparation Program (EPP) or university advisor.

To receive an edTPA score profile, candidates must submit a completed portfolio by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on their chosen submission date. Because scoring operates on a rolling basis, missing a deadline by even a few minutes can delay your score report by two weeks or more, potentially impacting your ability to secure a teaching position for the upcoming school year.

The Hierarchy of edTPA Deadlines

Understanding which deadline takes precedence is the first step in planning your final semester of student teaching. Candidates often encounter two different sets of dates: the official Pearson national dates and their university's internal deadlines.

Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Deadlines

Your university or certification program is the primary authority on when your edTPA must be submitted. Most institutions set internal deadlines that are several weeks earlier than the Pearson national deadlines. This buffer allows the university to process your graduation applications, verify that all certification requirements have been met, and provide support if you encounter technical issues during the upload process. Always prioritize the date provided by your edTPA coordinator or student teaching supervisor.

National Pearson Submission Dates

Pearson’s national schedule dictates when your portfolio enters the scoring queue and, consequently, when you will receive your official score report. These dates are standardized across the country. If you are an independent candidate or if your program allows you to choose your own window, these dates become your primary targets.

2025 edTPA Submission and Score Reporting Schedule

For candidates completing their student teaching in 2025, the following table outlines the relationship between when you submit your portfolio and when you can expect to see your results. Note that all times are based on 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

2026 edTPA Submission and Score Reporting Schedule

The 2026 calendar is essential for current juniors or those planning an extended student teaching track. The schedule follows a similar pattern, with frequent windows during the peak spring graduation season.

2027 edTPA Submission and Score Reporting Schedule

Candidates planning their long-term academic path should note the 2027 dates. These are particularly important for those in five-year integrated programs or dual-certification tracks.

Technical Considerations for the Submission Process

Submitting an edTPA portfolio is not a simple "drag and drop" action. It is a multi-step process that requires significant technical preparation. Based on candidate experiences, the upload phase is often the most stressful part of the entire assessment.

The 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time Rule

Regardless of where you are located, the deadline is strictly tied to Pacific Time. If you are in New York (Eastern Time), your deadline is actually 2:59 a.m. the following day. If you are in Chicago (Central Time), it is 1:59 a.m. However, waiting until the final hours is highly discouraged. System traffic increases significantly as the deadline approaches, which can lead to slow upload speeds or session timeouts.

File Format and Size Limits

Pearson has rigid requirements for file types and sizes.

• Video Files: These are the largest components of the portfolio. Candidates often struggle with video compression. Files must be in supported formats like .mp4, .mov, or .avi. If your video is too large (typically over 500 MB), the system may reject it or take hours to upload.
• Document Files: Most commentaries and artifacts must be uploaded as .doc, .docx, or .pdf files. Ensure that all track changes are accepted and comments are removed before saving the final version.
• The "Ready to Submit" Status: Before you can click the final submit button, the system validates that every required file for every task is present. If you are missing a single artifact or commentary, the system will block your submission.

The Technical Buffer Strategy

Experience shows that you should aim to have all files uploaded and reviewed at least three to five days before the deadline. This provides a "safety window" to address corrupted files, resolution issues in your videos, or unexpected internet outages. Once you submit, you cannot retract or edit your portfolio.

Strategic Planning: When Should You Submit?

Choosing a submission date is a balance between having enough time to collect high-quality data from your students and ensuring you get your scores back in time for graduation.

Factors for Spring Student Teachers

Most spring student teachers aim for the late March or early April submission dates. This allows them to complete their learning segments in February and March while still receiving scores by early May. This timing is ideal for candidates who need a passing score to participate in commencement ceremonies or to apply for teaching contracts that begin in August.

Factors for Fall Student Teachers

Fall student teachers often target the late October or early November windows. Receiving scores in December allows these candidates to be fully certified by the start of the new calendar year, making them eligible for mid-year hiring cycles in January.

Graduation and Licensure Requirements

Some states and universities have a "hard" deadline for scores. For example, if your state requires the edTPA score to be on file by June 1st to issue a preliminary license, you cannot risk a May submission date if there is any chance your portfolio might need a partial retake. A partial retake requires a new submission and another three-week waiting period for scores.

A Step-by-Step Preparation Timeline

To meet a specific submission date, you need a backwards-mapped schedule. A typical successful edTPA preparation takes approximately 10 to 12 weeks.

Weeks 1-2: Context for Learning and Student Knowledge

Focus on getting to know your students. This is when you collect "Funds of Knowledge"—information about their cultural backgrounds, interests, and prior learning. You will use this data to complete your "Context for Learning" template. Identify your focus learners, including at least one student with specific learning needs (IEP, 504 plan, or English Language Learner).

Weeks 3-4: Planning Task 1

Develop your learning segment of 3–5 lessons. Every objective and assessment must align with the state standards and your "Central Focus." In Task 1, you write your Planning Commentary, explaining why you are teaching this content in this specific way for these specific students.

Weeks 5-6: Instruction and Recording Task 2

This is the most labor-intensive phase. You must record your teaching. It is highly recommended to record every day of your learning segment, even if you only need two 10-minute clips. This gives you a wider variety of evidence to choose from. When recording, ensure the audio is clear enough to hear both you and the students.

Weeks 7-8: Assessment Task 3

Analyze your students' learning. You will choose one assessment from your learning segment and evaluate the performance of the entire class, while also providing detailed feedback for three work samples from your focus learners. This task requires you to prove that your teaching actually resulted in student growth.

Week 9: Final Review and Formatting

Check your work against the edTPA rubrics. Ensure that every claim you make in your commentaries is supported by a timestamp in your video or a specific page in your artifacts. This is the time to compress videos and verify that no student names (other than first names) or school names are visible.

Week 10: The Upload Window

Begin uploading files to the Pearson ePortfolio system. Do not wait until the deadline day. Upload Task 1 on Monday, Task 2 on Tuesday, and Task 3 on Wednesday. Review each file once it is in the system to ensure it wasn't corrupted during the transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions About edTPA Dates

What happens if I miss the 11:59 p.m. PT deadline by one minute?

The system is automated. If the deadline passes, your submission will be moved to the next available scoring window. This usually means your score report will be delayed by two to three weeks. If your graduation depends on the earlier date, this could result in a delayed degree.

Can I submit my portfolio earlier than the dates listed?

Yes. The dates listed are the latest you can submit to receive your scores by the corresponding reporting date. You can submit your portfolio at any time. If you submit two weeks before a deadline, you will still receive your scores on the reporting date associated with that window.

How long does it take to get scores back?

Typically, the turnaround time is three weeks from the submission deadline. However, during peak periods (like April and May), Pearson processes a massive volume of portfolios. While they generally adhere to the schedule, candidates should always plan for the full three-week wait.

Are the dates different for different subject areas?

No. The national submission and reporting dates are the same for all edTPA handbooks, whether you are in Early Childhood, Secondary Mathematics, Special Education, or World Language. The only thing that varies is the content of your submission.

What if I need to retake a task?

If you do not meet the passing score required by your state or program, you can register for a retake. You can retake a single task or the entire portfolio. Retakes follow the same submission and reporting schedule as original submissions. You must wait to receive your initial score profile before you can register for a retake.

Is there a late fee for submitting after a deadline?

There is no "late fee" because there is no late submission. If you miss a deadline, you simply move to the next scoring cycle. However, you must ensure your registration has not expired. Most registrations are valid for 18 months.

Final Checklist for Submission Day

Before you click the final "Submit" button, perform these final checks:

1. Anonymity: Ensure no last names of students or teachers appear in your videos or documents.
2. Audio Quality: In Task 2, can the scorer hear the student interactions? If the audio is unintelligible, the task may be unscorable.
3. Rubric Alignment: Have you addressed every prompt in the commentary? Even a brief mention of a required element can prevent a score of "1."
4. File Integrity: Download one of your uploaded files from the Pearson portal to ensure it opens and displays correctly.
5. Confirmation: Ensure you receive the confirmation email from Pearson after clicking submit. Your portfolio is not officially submitted until you receive this notification.

Summary of Key edTPA Deadlines

Managing edTPA submission dates requires a dual-focus approach. Candidates must stay hyper-aware of their EPP's internal deadlines to ensure graduation eligibility while using the Pearson national schedule to time their certification. By aiming for a submission window that concludes at least one month before your intended graduation or hiring date, you provide yourself with a necessary safety net. Remember that the 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time deadline is absolute, and technical preparation is just as important as the pedagogical content of your portfolio. Plan early, record often, and upload well in advance of the final buzzer.