Headsets & Microphones

State Testing Headphone Requirements by State (2026–27)

Which headphones do students need for state testing? Platform rules for Cambium, Pearson TestNav, DRC INSIGHT, Cognia and NWEA, plus a 2026–27 lookup for all 50 states and DC.

12 min read

students at a computer with headphones taking a test

Testing audio for schools

Find your state’s testing platform and supporting resources, then confirm the audio requirements for your assessment, test section and accommodations. This guide brings together a lookup for all 50 states and DC, provider guidance and practical planning advice.

Written for district test coordinators, school tech staff and teachers ordering for spring 2027 testing. Last updated . Source documents may cover earlier testing years; check their dates before using them for spring 2027.

Download checklist (PDF)

Free, one-page fillable checklist. Opens in a new tab to save, share or print.

The quick answer: requirements versus recommendations

Assessment requirements come from your state, assessment provider and approved accommodations. A requirement for one test does not automatically apply to every test using the same platform.

Learning Headphones recommendations

These are our purchasing and preparation suggestions, not statewide testing mandates.

  1. Start with wired options. Check the assessment’s rules before selecting any wireless equipment or assistive listening setup.
  2. Match the exact device and connector. Inventory ports by model and test audio output and microphone input with any adapter or hub.
  3. Try fit and comfort before buying in bulk. Compare over-ear, on-ear and earbud options with the students who will use them.
  4. Choose controls for the assessment. Do not assume in-line volume or mute controls are preferred. College Board recommends headsets without built-in controls.
  5. Test the full setup. Run the provider’s practice or readiness check with the actual device, secure browser, headset and accommodations.
  6. Plan spares and lead time. Set quantities and ordering dates to your school’s schedule; these are local planning choices.

Headphone requirements by testing platform

Use these links as starting points. State-specific instructions take precedence over a general platform summary. A California source describes California tests; it is not a universal Cambium policy.

Platform Used for Connector Microphone Bluetooth Notes
Cambium / California example CAASPP and ELPAC; other Cambium programs have separate state instructions California guidance: 3.5mm or USB ELPAC: headset microphone recommended, not required California guidance supports Bluetooth but recommends wired headphones CAASPP ELA: provide headphones for audio. California source covers 2025–26; check the current manual.
Pearson TestNav IAR (IL), KSA (KY), SOL (VA), TCAP (TN), CMAS (CO), WY-TOPP (WY) and others 3.5mm or USB Only for tests with spoken responses Set by each state; Minnesota prohibits it Students run a “Test Audio” check at sign-in
DRC INSIGHT Georgia Milestones, PSSA and Keystones (PA), M-STEP (MI), Forward (WI), MAP (MO), LEAP (LA), MAAP (MS), ACAP (AL), SC READY, Smarter Balanced (NV), WIDA ACCESS 3.5mm or USB (some USB headsets need drivers) Required for WIDA ACCESS Speaking Check state policy; Michigan’s 2026 training permits specified Bluetooth use Check current program-specific technology and audio guidance; the linked Wisconsin document is a starting point.
Cognia student kiosks MCAS (MA), RICAS (RI), NM-MSSA (NM), OSTP (OK), VTCAP (VT) See state guide See state guide See state guide Each state has its own branded kiosk app
NWEA State Solutions AK STAR, Maine Through Year, NSCAS (NE), New York grades 3–8 See state guide See state guide See state guide Uses the NWEA or Questar secure browser
WIDA ACCESS for ELLs English learners, grades 1–12, in WIDA states (runs on DRC) 3.5mm or USB Required for Speaking Not recommended Students record answers in the secure browser
College Board Bluebook AP world language and AP Music Theory (digital from 2027) USB-C, USB-A or 3.5mm See exam and section-specific rules Prohibited From 2027: wired audio for applicable listening/speaking sections. Music Theory sight-singing uses a speaker and microphone; headsets are not used.

State-built systems, such as North Carolina’s NCTest and the Kite platform in Kansas and Montana, have their own guidance. Confirm audio and microphone needs in the manual for the specific assessment.

State-by-state testing platform lookup (2026–27)

Find your state’s main test and platform, then open the source beside that entry. English language proficiency tests and accommodations have separate audio rules. The source column identifies starting points; it does not mean every linked document establishes a headphone requirement for 2026–27.

Jump to your state
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
State Main test Platform Headphone note Source / scope
Alabama
Link to Alabama 		ACAP Summative DRC INSIGHT Provider portal
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Alaska
Link to Alaska 		AK STAR NWEA State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Arizona
Link to Arizona 		AASA Pearson TestNav Bluetooth hearing devices by state request form State resource
Historical document; verify current-year rules.
Arkansas
Link to Arkansas 		ATLAS Cambium Provider resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
California
Link to California 		CAASPP, ELPAC Cambium (via ETS) ELPAC headset mic is recommended, not required (2025–26 guide). State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Colorado
Link to Colorado 		CMAS Pearson TestNav Paper only as an accommodation from 2026 State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
Connecticut
Link to Connecticut 		Smarter Balanced Cambium State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
Delaware
Link to Delaware 		DeSSA Cambium State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
District of Columbia
Link to District of Columbia 		DC CAPE 2.0 Pearson TestNav New Smarter Balanced content from spring 2027 State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
Florida
Link to Florida 		FAST (grades 3–10 reading / 3–8 math) Cambium VPK–2 FAST uses separate Renaissance systems; check the grade-specific guidance. State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Georgia
Link to Georgia 		Georgia Milestones DRC INSIGHT State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Hawaii
Link to Hawaii 		Smarter Balanced Cambium State resource
Historical document; verify current-year rules.
Idaho
Link to Idaho 		ISAT Cambium State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
Illinois
Link to Illinois 		IAR Pearson TestNav New TestNav web app required on Chromebooks State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Indiana
Link to Indiana 		ILEARN Cambium State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
Iowa
Link to Iowa 		ISASP Pearson TestNav Provider resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Kansas
Link to Kansas 		KAP Kite (state-built) KELPA English learner test requires a mic headset State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Kentucky
Link to Kentucky 		KSA Pearson TestNav State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Louisiana
Link to Louisiana 		LEAP 2025 DRC INSIGHT State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
Maine
Link to Maine 		Through Year Assessment NWEA State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Maryland
Link to Maryland 		MSTAR (grades 3–8, new in spring 2027) Pearson (new app) Confirm audio and headset rules in the current MSTAR technology guidance. State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
Massachusetts
Link to Massachusetts 		MCAS Cognia (MCAS Student Kiosk) Replaced TestNav in 2025 Provider resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
Michigan
Link to Michigan 		M-STEP DRC INSIGHT 2026 training permits Bluetooth only under specified device and security conditions; check the current manual. State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Minnesota
Link to Minnesota 		MCA Pearson TestNav Bluetooth headphones not allowed Provider resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Mississippi
Link to Mississippi 		MAAP DRC INSIGHT State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
Missouri
Link to Missouri 		MAP DRC INSIGHT State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Montana
Link to Montana 		MAST Kite State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Nebraska
Link to Nebraska 		NSCAS NWEA Provider resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Nevada
Link to Nevada 		Smarter Balanced DRC INSIGHT Provider portal
Open current manuals or technology resources.
New Hampshire
Link to New Hampshire 		NH SAS Cambium State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
New Jersey
Link to New Jersey 		NJSLA-Adaptive Cambium Replaced TestNav in 2025–26 State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
New Mexico
Link to New Mexico 		NM-MSSA Cognia Provider resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
New York
Link to New York 		Grades 3–8 tests NWEA Nextera State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
North Carolina
Link to North Carolina 		EOG, EOC NCTest (state-built) State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
North Dakota
Link to North Dakota 		NDSA Cambium State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Ohio
Link to Ohio 		Ohio's State Tests Cambium State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Oklahoma
Link to Oklahoma 		OSTP Cognia (OSTP Kiosk) Provider resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
Oregon
Link to Oregon 		OSAS Cambium State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Pennsylvania
Link to Pennsylvania 		PSSA, Keystones DRC INSIGHT Provider portal
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Rhode Island
Link to Rhode Island 		RICAS Cognia (RICAS Student Kiosk) Provider resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
South Carolina
Link to South Carolina 		SC READY DRC INSIGHT State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
South Dakota
Link to South Dakota 		Smarter Balanced Cambium Check actual device ports and district requirements. State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Tennessee
Link to Tennessee 		TCAP Pearson TestNav Grades 3–5 move online in spring 2027 State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
Texas
Link to Texas 		STAAR Cambium State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Utah
Link to Utah 		RISE Cambium Provider resource
Historical document; verify current-year rules.
Vermont
Link to Vermont 		VTCAP Cognia Provider resource
Historical document; verify current-year rules.
Virginia
Link to Virginia 		SOL Pearson TestNav New test system planned for 2027–28 State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Washington
Link to Washington 		Smarter Balanced Cambium State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.
West Virginia
Link to West Virginia 		WVGSA Cambium Provider resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Wisconsin
Link to Wisconsin 		Forward Exam DRC INSIGHT DPI advises against Bluetooth State resource
Open current manuals or technology resources.
Wyoming
Link to Wyoming 		WY-TOPP Pearson (new for 2026–27) Moved from Cambium State resource
Check document year and applicable assessment.

Source links appear beside all 51 entries. Some documents describe earlier years, and general assessment pages may not specify headset requirements. Confirm your testing year, subject, platform and accommodations in the current state or provider manual before ordering.

Learning Headphones advice: matching devices

Device Connector to check Watch for
Chromebooks (most) 3.5mm or USB-A Newer models may drop the 3.5mm jack; check before reordering. See our Chromebook headphone guide.
iPads (recent models) USB-C Check the exact iPad model. Test a compatible USB-C headset or an adapter that supports the required audio and microphone functions.
iPads with a wired keyboard USB-C plus a wired hub If both accessories use wires, test a hub with audio output and microphone support. Follow your assessment’s keyboard rules.
Windows laptops 3.5mm or USB-A Some USB headsets need a driver; test on a sample device.
Macs USB-C or 3.5mm Select the headset as the input device for speaking tests.

Planning checklist — Learning Headphones recommendations

Download checklist (PDF)

Free, one-page fillable checklist. Opens in a new tab to save, share or print.

Use this checklist alongside your assessment’s current manual. Open the printable checklist to print or save a PDF from your browser.

  • Record the state, assessment, grade, subject, testing year and testing window.
  • Open the current state or provider manual; record the source URL, document date and relevant page.
  • Confirm headphone, microphone and wireless rules for each test section and approved accommodation.
  • Inventory device models, ports, secure browser versions and any adapters or hubs.
  • Run a sample audio and recording check on the actual testing setup before ordering in bulk.
  • Set headset quantities and a local spare allowance; 10% is a planning example, not an assessment requirement.
  • Choose fit and controls that meet the provider guidance; in-line volume controls are not universally preferred.
  • Set an order date that allows delivery, inspection and a practice run; eight weeks is a planning suggestion.
  • Label equipment, plan cleaning according to manufacturer instructions and assign responsibility for spares.
  • Complete the provider’s audio or microphone check before the student begins; follow the manual for failures.

Ready to choose models? Our school testing headphones buying guide compares wired, USB and USB‑C picks for the 2026–27 testing season, with a comparison table to match each pick to your setup.

Testing headsets with mic →

Wired headsets for speaking tests like WIDA ACCESS and ELPAC.

Chromebook headphones →

3.5mm and USB-C headphones for school Chromebooks.

Language assessment headsets →

Picks and a checklist for speaking tests.

State testing headphones FAQ

Can students use Bluetooth or AirPods for state testing?

It depends on the assessment and state. Do not assume a platform-wide rule. California’s 2025–26 peripheral guidance supports Bluetooth but recommends wired headphones; Michigan’s 2026 M-STEP training permits Bluetooth under specific conditions. College Board prohibits wireless audio for the applicable 2027 AP exams. Check your current manual and approved accommodations.

Do students need a microphone for state testing?

Check the assessment and test section. WIDA ACCESS Online Speaking requires a headset with a microphone. California’s ELPAC guidance does not require headsets with microphones. For the 2027 AP exams, microphone and headset requirements vary by exam and section; AP Music Theory sight-singing uses a speaker and microphone without headsets.

Are USB or 3.5mm headphones better for testing?

Choose a connector supported by the exact testing device and assessment. Learning Headphones recommends testing audio and microphone functions with the actual secure browser, including any adapter or hub, before buying in bulk.

Are earbuds allowed for state testing?

Check your assessment’s current manual. Earbud permission and fit are separate questions. Learning Headphones recommends trying the permitted options with students before selecting a classroom set.

Can students bring their own headphones for testing?

Follow your state, provider and school policy. If personal headphones are allowed, check compatibility and security requirements in advance. Learning Headphones recommends keeping compatible school-owned spares.

Do students need headphones for every subject?

Not necessarily. Requirements depend on the assessment, section, audio content and accommodations. Check the specific test administration manual rather than applying a listening-test requirement to every subject.

Sources

Platform and general sources
State sources and provider starting points

Use the source beside each state entry to check its scope and document year. This editorial update does not certify all 51 entries against newly issued 2026–27 manuals.

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