The action research methodology for this study reports findings from the performance of 19 Early Childhood Education African American teacher candidates matriculating through a state-approved program at an HBCU. The action researchers suggest that continued research and a larger sample size is needed to provided empirical evidence of the causal variables and factors that affect candidate performance on the examination. However, the observed phenomena and semi-structured follow-up reflections of the first-time passers may promote evidence of Maslow’s motivation theory in practice and the intrinsic love for teaching by the candidates who participated in the treatment and successfully passed the test.