Trends in teacher competency testing, test bias against minority group teachers, and ways to encourage qualified personnel to join the teaching profession are discussed. Currently, 21 states require students to pass a test to enter a teacher education program, and 31 require teacher candidates to pass a certification test. Admission tests include the Scholastic Aptitude Test, American College Testing Program, California Achievement Test, Pre-Professional Skills Test, National Teacher Examination (NTE) core battery, and state tests. Certification tests include the NTE core battery and specialty tests, and state tests such as the California Basic Educational Skills Test. Criteria for admission to a teacher education program affect enrollment patterns. Minority groups' high failure rates on teacher certification tests reflect two ominous trends: talented minority students' decreased interest in becoming teachers, and the overall decline in quality of all college graduates. A number of critics have questioned the NTE's validity in predicting effective teachers, as well as its fairness for minorities. Three steps are proposed to remedy these problems: (1) early recruitment and intensive training of minority and low income students who wish to teach; (2) selection of highly qualified teaching professionals; and (3) identification of and rewards for outstanding teachers. (GDC)