Get a Teaching Certificate in Texas

There are two main methods of getting certified to teach in the state of Texas. One option is enrolling in an approved educator preparation program at an accredited university. Secondly, you may qualify to enroll in an alternative certification program to supplement a degree or experience that you already have. Finally, if you already have certification in another state, you can readily earn a teaching certificate in Texas as well.

Steps

Acquiring Certification Through a University Program

1. Choose an educator preparation program at an accredited Texas institution. If you have recently graduated high school and you are looking for a college program, many Texas colleges and universities offer the opportunity to pursue your degree and earn your certificate simultaneously. Choose a program from the list of accredited programs provided by the state of Texas. Only these programs can recommend you for certification within the state.
   • The Texas State Board for Educator Certification website lists all accredited programs in the state of Texas. You can even view an interactive map that will show you programs in your area.
   • Expect to spend about four years earning a bachelor's degree while enrolled in this sort of program.
2. Choose a program based on what you want to teach. Different programs offer different curriculum. This may allow you to focus your studies according to your teaching goals. To help make decisions about the program you should choose, think about the grade level and subject areas you’d like to teach.
   • For instance, if you know you want to teach in a certain type of school, or focus on a certain type of education – look for programs that specialize in training for that type of education.
   • If you don’t know yet, choose a program that offers flexibility in terms of the courses and student teaching opportunities available.
   • The length, costs, and opportunities associated with different programs will vary as well.
3. Ensure your eligibility for the program. Entry to education preparation programs will depend upon your ability to meet certain criteria. Expect to be screened for these criteria upon application. You will need to have completed high school, though minimum grade point averages will vary from program to program.
   • Find a program’s eligibility requirements on the school’s website.
   • The state of Texas mandates some of these requirements. Others are simply guidelines used by admissions.
   • Contact an admission office directly to inquire about any eligibility requirements you are curious about.
4. Develop a specific plan once you’re accepted. Familiarize yourself with everything the program you choose offers. For instance, consider all available coursework and familiarize yourself with student teaching and internship options. Your program may also provide opportunities for test preparation. Plan to participate in opportunities such as these ahead of time.
   • Read the course description for every course your program offers. This will help you make the best decisions regarding the courses you choose to take.
   • Meet with an advisor to help you make specific plans about how to take advantage of your program’s offerings.
5. Line up a teaching internship. At some point during your educational preparation program, you will become eligible to work as a teaching intern. Your program will have clear benchmarks for eligibility, such as the completion of particular courses. Once eligible to do so, apply and secure a job at the grade level and subject area that you hope to teach someday.
   • An advisor that works for your program can help you find a teaching internship.
6. Apply for a Probationary Certificate. Once you have an internship position lined up, apply for a probationary teaching certification through the Texas Education Agency. First, make a TEA login (TEAL) account on the agency’s website. Your program must provide the agency with a recommendation to ensure you’re eligible. This certificate allow you to begin teaching as an intern or assistant.
   • When setting up your TEAL account as a new user, select “Educator” as your “Organization Type.” The website will prompt you how to proceed with setting up your account.
   • Pay the corresponding fees – totaling around $100 – and submit to a criminal background check and fingerprinting. If you have a criminal history, understand that you may not be eligible to teach.
   • If you need specific guidance navigating the TEA website and Educator Certification Online System, contact a representative of your region’s Education Service Center.
7. Take and pass an appropriate exam. Register for, take, and pass either the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards™ (TExES) or the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas™ (ExCET). The exams ensure that you have the knowledge necessary to teach in the Texas public school system. Most of these tests have a multiple-choice format.
   • Your program must authorize you to register for the exams. It will likely require that certain courses are completed. Speak with an advisor in your program for specific information.
   • Visit the Texas Educator Certification website to register for the test.
   • These exams will test you on math, science, grammar, reading, and writing.
   • Depending on your chosen subject focus, you may also be tested on social studies.
8. Apply for a standard teaching certificate. Once you’ve completed all of the requirements necessary to achieve your certification, apply on the TEA website using your TEAL account. All of the information regarding your coursework, student teaching, and examination results will be required. Your program must recommend you for a standard teaching certification, to ensure you’ve met their requirement for a degree.
   • For specific guidance navigating the TEA website and Educator Certification Online System, contact a representative of your region’s Education Service Center.
   • Pay the $78 application fee.

Enrolling in an Alternate Certification Program

1. Qualify for a certification program with the degree you already have. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can complete additional requirements to obtain a teaching certification. Check to make sure your degree is recognized by the Texas High Education Coordinating Board. This board requires that the institution you attended is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
2. Determine your areas of interest. Make sure the programs that appeal to you offer the appropriate training. In particular, decide which grades and types of courses you’d like to teach. These decisions will likely affect which certificate you need, and which program you should enroll in.
   • If you intend to teach trade courses like welding or computer-aided drafting (CAD), you may not need a college degree. Look into securing specific certification necessary to teach these trade courses.
3. Choose an alternative certification program. Various institutions – including universities, community colleges, and even school districts – can prepare college graduates to earn their teaching certification. These alternative certification programs are approved by the state of Texas.
   • Reach out to the nearest Texas Regional Education Service Center Headquarters for assistance finding a program that will work for you.
   • These service centers even host alternative certification programs themselves!
4. Apply to the program of your choice. Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements by consulting the program’s administrators before you apply. Usually, these requirements will include some minimum skills, a minimum GPA from your undergraduate studies, and a demonstration that you are familiar with the content you hope to teach.
   • Some requirements are state mandated and some are chosen by the programs.
   • Reach out to a program’s administrators if you’re curious about how strict certain requirements may be.
5. Complete the program according to a specific plan. Meet with program staff to help you determine the specific course of your training. This will include some sort of teaching experience in an internship-like context, tests, and other requirements. Ensure that you’re prepared for a teaching internship by taking the necessary courses and tests to qualify for an internship first.
   • Usually, you will be trained for about a year before having the opportunity to begin working as a teaching intern with supervision and mentoring.
   • Meet with an advisor even before you begin your coursework, to ensure you’ll be eligible to begin your internship as quickly as the program allows.
6. Secure a one-year probationary contract. Once you’ve met the requirements of your program, you’ll receive an eligibility statement to begin working as a teaching intern. Apply online with the Texas Education Agency for a probationary certificate that will allow you to do so. Make a TEA login (TEAL) account, pay around $100 dollars in fees for the application and fingerprinting costs, and submit to a criminal background check.
   • When setting up your TEAL account as a new user, select “Educator” as your “Organization Type.” The website will prompt you how to proceed.
7. Secure a teaching internship. Locate and apply for a position at the grade level and in the subject area you hope to become certified in. Ask program staff about how to look for these sorts of positions. They will likely help you do so. A school that agrees to host you will assign you a mentor. You’ll also continue to be supervised by staff from your program.
   • You'll work with many of the teachers and the principal of the school where you're teaching. They will report on your suitability for certification.
8. Apply for a standard teaching certificate. Once you’ve completed all of your program’s requirements, they will be able to recommend you for a standard certificate. Use your TEAL account to apply by clicking the “Educator” link and choosing the standard certificate application. Follow the website’s prompts, including payment of the $78 dollar fee.
   • For specific guidance navigating the TEA website and Educator Certification Online System, contact a representative of your region’s Education Service Center.
   • You may be eligible to extend your probationary certificate for another year if you do not complete all of your program’s requirements within one year.

Acquiring a Certificate with Out-of-State Certification

1. Have your out-of-state standard certificate reviewed. If you have a standard certificate in another US state or territory, apply for a review by the Texas Education Agency. Create an online TEA login (TEAL) account on the agency’s website, get a TEA ID number, and fill out the application for an out-of-state certificate review. After completing your application, pay the $180 review fee.
   • Apply for a one year, non-renewable teaching certificate in tandem with your application for a review.
2. Submit your certificate(s) electronically. You need to submit a copy of any standard certificate(s) you hold in other states of territories. You can submit most of the necessary documents to the TEA via email. Include your TEA ID number with any documents. Don’t forget to include both sides of any two-sided documents.
   • If you’ve having a student services or administration certification reviewed, submit proof of two years of corresponding experience in an official school service record.
3. Have official transcripts submitted by mail. Your review also requires official transcripts from any colleges or universities you attended. The transcripts may not be submitted electronically. Have each of the school(s) you attended send official transcripts to the TEA by mail. If you have any official documentation from outside of the US, these will also need to be submitted by mail.
   • It may take 3 to 4 weeks to receive confirmation of the receipt of your documents.
4. Follow the directions given by the TEA. Once your review is complete, the TEA will email you the results. These results will include a list of the tests you need to pass for standard certification in Texas. If certified in another state, it’s likely that you’ve already taken a test that is comparable to those required in Texas. See the TEA’s chart of comparable tests on their website.
   • If your test qualifies as comparable, contact the testing company and direct them to send your official results to the TEA.
   • Do not have your test scores sent until you get the results of your review.
   • If you have not taken a comparable test, take any test the TEA indicates. This will likely be either the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) or the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET).
5. Receive your one-year teaching certificate. Your results will also notify you if you received or are eligible for a year long, non-renewable certificate. If you did not apply for this certificate when you applied for the review, log in to your TEAL account to do so now. Click the “Educator” link. Select “Out-of-State Certified Applicants,” and then “Initial One-Year Certificate.” The website will prompt you to apply and pay for the one-year certificate.
6. Apply for the standard certificate. Once you’ve met all of the requirements, you’ll need to apply for the standard teaching certificate in the state of Texas. Use your TEAL account to apply online. Click the “Educator” link, select “Out-of-State Certified Applicants.” You will see a list of applications. Scroll down and click “Standard Certificate.” You will be prompted to submit your application and pay a $78 fee.

Tips

• A number of programs and grants, including Teach for Texas, Certified Educational Aide Exemption Program, Teach for America, Troops for Teachers, Teacher Loan Forgiveness, and the G.I. Bill may be able to support you financially. Contact these programs directly.
• Some high schools offer a contract to graduates who plan to get their teaching certificates when they head to college after high school graduation.
• Individuals seeking to teach deaf or hearing-impaired students need to complete the Texas Assessment of Sign Communication (TASC).

Sources and Citations

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