MTTC 058 Study Guide: Complete Prep for the Physical or Other Health Impairment Exam

If you are pursuing a Michigan teaching endorsement in Physical or Other Health Impairment, the MTTC 058 is the certification exam you need to pass. This comprehensive study guide breaks down every subarea, explains what the test covers, and gives you a structured approach to prepare effectively.

Whether you are a recent special education graduate or an experienced teacher adding a new endorsement, this guide will help you understand the content domains, organize your study time, and walk into the testing center with confidence.

What Is the MTTC 058 Exam?

The Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) 058 measures whether candidates have the knowledge and skills needed to teach students with physical impairments, other health impairments, and traumatic brain injuries. It is administered by Pearson and required by the Michigan Department of Education for the Physical or Other Health Impairment (POHI) endorsement on a teaching certificate.

This endorsement prepares teachers to work with students whose physical conditions, chronic health needs, or acquired brain injuries affect their ability to participate in educational programs. These students may have conditions ranging from cerebral palsy and spina bifida to epilepsy, diabetes, sickle cell disease, and traumatic brain injury.

Exam Format at a Glance

• Number of questions: 100 multiple-choice questions
• Time limit: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Passing score: 220 (on a 100–300 scale)
• Delivery: Computer-based test (CBT) at Pearson VUE testing centers
• Registration fee: $129

With 100 questions in 150 minutes, you have about 90 seconds per question. That is enough time to read carefully and reason through each scenario, but not enough to linger on items you are unsure about. Mark uncertain questions and return to them at the end.

The 4 Subareas of the MTTC 058

Subarea I: Understanding Students with Physical or Other Health Impairments (25%)

This subarea tests your foundational knowledge of the conditions that bring students into POHI programs. You need to understand typical and atypical human development, the specific characteristics of physical impairments, other health impairments, and traumatic brain injury, and how these conditions affect learning, attendance, social development, and postsecondary outcomes.

Key topics include:

• Typical developmental milestones and how physical or health conditions alter them
• Cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, and other orthopedic conditions
• Chronic health conditions: asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, sickle cell disease, ADHD
• Traumatic brain injury: open versus closed head injuries, cognitive and behavioral effects
• Impact on school attendance, academic progress, family dynamics, and self-concept

Subarea II: Assessment and Individualized Programs (25%)

This subarea covers the assessment process from initial screening through ongoing progress monitoring. You will need to know formal and informal assessment tools, the multidisciplinary evaluation team process, how to interpret and communicate results, and how to develop and monitor individualized education programs, health plans, and emergency care plans.

Key topics include:

• Formal and informal assessment instruments appropriate for students with physical and health impairments
• Screening, prereferral, referral, and eligibility procedures
• Score types: standard scores, percentiles, age and grade equivalents
• IEP development, individualized health plans, and emergency care plans
• Progress monitoring, data-based decision making, and triennial reevaluation

Subarea III: Promoting Development and Learning (30%)

This is the largest subarea and accounts for nearly one-third of the exam. It covers how to design and manage learning environments, plan and individualize instruction, support communication and social competence, teach functional living skills, and facilitate transitions across educational levels and into adult life.

Key topics include:

• Universal design for learning and physical accessibility
• Classroom management, health and safety protocols, fatigue management
• Evidence-based instructional strategies and assistive technology integration
• AAC devices and social skills instruction
• Daily living skills, recreation, and community participation
• Transition planning, hospital-to-school reentry, and employment preparation

Subarea IV: Professional Environment (20%)

The final subarea addresses your professional responsibilities: communicating with families, collaborating with school personnel and community agencies, understanding the historical and legal foundations of disability services, and maintaining ethical and legal standards in your practice.

Key topics include:

• Culturally responsive family communication and collaboration
• Roles of related service providers and paraprofessional supervision
• IDEA, Section 504, ADA, FAPE, LRE, and MARSE
• CEC ethical standards, mandated reporting, and confidentiality

Study Tips for the MTTC 058

For Subarea I: Learn the Conditions

Create a chart listing each condition covered in the exam along with its primary characteristics, educational implications, and any emergency protocols a teacher should know. Pay special attention to the differences between physical impairments, other health impairments, and traumatic brain injury as eligibility categories.

For Subarea II: Practice Interpreting Data

Know the difference between standard scores, percentiles, and grade equivalents. Practice writing measurable IEP goals that address the functional needs created by physical and health conditions. Understand how to develop an individualized health plan that coordinates with a student's medical team.

For Subarea III: Focus on Application

This subarea is heavily scenario-based. Practice applying assistive technology solutions to specific access barriers. Know how to modify learning environments for wheelchair accessibility, fatigue management, and health emergencies. Understand the full continuum from hospital-based instruction through school reentry and eventually postsecondary transition.

For Subarea IV: Review the Law

Know the six principles of IDEA and how they apply specifically to students with physical and health impairments. Understand the differences between IDEA and Section 504 eligibility. Review the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education for state-specific requirements.

How TeacherPreps.com Helps You Prepare

Our MTTC 058 preparation course includes 20 structured study guide lessons covering all objectives across the 4 subareas, practice test questions with detailed explanations, vocabulary flashcards, and progress tracking tools.

You can start for free by downloading our free MTTC 058 study guide workbook, which covers Subareas I and II in detail.

When you are ready for the full course, explore our subscription plans — each plan gives you access to every exam in our entire library, not just MTTC 058.