Four annual surveys of the 50 states provide data for analyzing nation-wide trends in competency assessment of teachers. Most state plans for teacher competency assessment include testing one or more areas of basic skills, professional or pedagogical skills, and academic knowledge. The testing occurs at the entry level--admission to the teacher education program--and/or prior to certification. A growing number of states require an internship or beginning teacher year with appropriate assessment before initial certification can be awarded. Precis are presented of information on teacher assessment from each state. Data analysis appears to justify the following conclusions: (1) State competency assessment of programs has grown rapidly over the last 6 years and may be expected to continue to increase; (2) Trends continue to emphasize testing in the basic skill areas to be used for certification purposes; (3) Fewer states are using legislative action to mandate competency assessment of teachers, and more states are using state department of education regulations; (4) States are increasingly mandating an induction year prior to the issuance of a certificate; and (5) More states are choosing to use nationally standardized tests rather than develop their own. Several tables detailing each state's position on different types of competency assessment of teachers, as well as contact people for each state, are included. (JD)