How to Become Certified in Texas
In general, there are five basic requirements for someone new to the field of education to become a certified
teacher. These requirements are not necessarily completed in sequence and it is recommended that you discuss
your plans to become a teacher with an Educator Preparation Program (described below) early in the process.
The five basic requirements are:
1. Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
2. Complete an Educator Preparation Program
3. Pass Appropriate Certification Exam (s)
4. Submit a State Application
5. Fingerprinting
Further details on each requirement:
1. Bachelor’s Degree - You must earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
The only exemption from the degree requirement is for individuals seeking Career and Technical
Education certification to teach certain courses. Texas institutions do not offer a degree in
education. Instead, every future teacher must select an academic major of interest and, as
described below, complete educator preparation courses.
2. Educator Preparation Program - You must complete educator preparation through an Approved
Educator Preparation Program. These programs are offered through colleges, universities, school
districts, regional service centers, community colleges, and other entities. Undergraduates
typically enroll in an approved program at the college or university they are attending. Alternative
Certification Programs, which may or may not be associated with a university or college, have
been established and approved for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree. (See next page
for information on Approved Educator Preparation Programs)
3. Certification Exam(s) - You must pass the appropriate teacher certification exam(s) for the
subject and grade level you wish to teach. Your Educator Preparation Program will help you
determine the appropriate certification exam(s). You will need authorization from your program
prior to test registration.
4. State Application – To obtain a standard certificate after passing the appropriate exam(s) and
completing all program requirements, you must complete the application process. Consult with
your Educator Preparation Program on how to complete this process. Important items in the
application process include fingerprinting and a background investigation.
5. Fingerprinting – All first-time applicants for an initial credential must be fingerprinted as part of a
national criminal background check. A $42.25 fingerprinting fee will be charged.
***See p. 6 on becoming Certified in TX based on out of state certification
*Becoming a Certified Texas Educator Through an Alternative Certification Program (ACP)
Do you hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and wish to become an educator in Texas?
Alternative certification programs (ACP’s) offer a nontraditional route to certification that may allow you
to teach while completing the requirements. These programs are located in universities, school districts,
education service centers, community colleges, and private entities. A list of approved programs is
available. Only programs found on this list may recommend an individual for a Texas educator certificate.
Steps to Becoming a Texas Educator through an ACP:
1) Decide what you would like to teach.
You will need to decide the specific grade levels of students and subject areas you would like to teach.
This decision will determine the certificate you will need, the program you will need to enroll in, and the
certification tests you will need to take. The program you select will assist you in this process based on
your degree, coursework, and interests.
2) Select an approved Texas ACP* (See below for a list of Austin programs)
ACP’s offer intensive focused on the classroom training. Many of these programs can be completed in
one year during which time you may be able to teach as a paid intern with supervision and mentoring.
Some programs offer a non-paid clinical experience similar to student teaching in lieu of a paid
internship .
3) Meet the screening criteria of the program
Your program will advise you of the entry requirements such as basic skills, GPA, and demonstration of
content knowledge. Some of these requirements are state-mandated and some may reflect the
standards of the program.
4) Develop a certification plan with your program.
After meeting the screening criteria and being accepted into the program, you will meet with program
staff who will advise you of the specific training courses, internship, tests, and other program
requirements that you must complete.
5) Obtain a teaching position
If your program has determined that you are eligible for a teaching internship based on your progress
and completion of any appropriate tests, they will provide you with an eligibility statement for
employment purposes. You will need to secure a teaching assignment at the grade level and in the
subject area of your target certificate. Your program may provide assistance in locating a position. Once
a position has been secured, you will have an experienced, certified mentor assigned to work with you
and additional supervision will be provided by the program.
6) Apply for a Probationary Certificate
If a teaching position has been secured for your internship, you will need to apply online for a
Probationary Certificate, valid for one calendar year to meet state certification rules for you and the
school. You will need to create an online account*, apply, pay fees, and meet the requirements for a
criminal background check. Your program will need to recommend you online for the appropriate
certificate. (*http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/SBECOnline/educator_why.asp?width=1024&height=768)
7) Complete all requirements for a Standard Certificate
You will need to complete all program training, internship, examinations, and all other program
requirements. If all requirements are not completed within one year, it is sometimes possible to extend
the Probationary Certificate for up to two years. If this is needed, your program will advise you of your
eligibility. You may not teach more than three school years in the Texas public schools on temporary
credentials prior to receiving an initial Standard Certificate.
8) Apply for the Standard Certificate
Upon completion of all requirements, you will need to apply online. If you qualify, your program will
recommend you online for the Standard Certificate. A criminal background check will be conducted prior
to issuance of any certificate.
9) Congratulations! You are a certified Texas educator.
*Approved Texas Alternative Certification Programs
REGION 13
A+ Texas Teachers (Austin)
8911 North Capital of TX HWY Suite 4107
Austin, TX 78759
Phone: (512) 610-9910
Austin Community College - Teacher Preparation and Certification Program
5930 Middle Fiskville Road
Austin, TX 78752
Phone: (512) 223-7649
Concordia University
11400 Concordia University Drive
Austin, TX 78726
Phone: (512) 313-3000
Educators of Excellence ACP
3901 Shoal Creek BLVD
Austin, TX 78756
Phone: (512) 358-8824
Huston-Tillotson University
900 Chicon Street
Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 505-3164
Region 13 Education Service Center
5701 Springdale Road
Austin, TX 78723-3675
Phone: (512) 919-5323
Southwestern University
432 Katy Crossing
Georgetown, TX 78626
Phone: (512) 863-1476
St Edward's University
3001 S Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704-6489
Phone: (512) 448-8651
Texas Alternative Certification Program at Austin
Americana Building 1301 IH-35 South
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 445-0200
Texas Teaching Fellows (Austin)
300 West 6th Street Suite 21000
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 703-1160
Training via E-Learning: An Alternative Certification Hybrid (T.E.A.C.H.)
P O Box 141473
Austin, TX 78714
Phone: (512) 928-8423
University of Texas - Austin
SZB 216
Austin, TX 78712- 515
Phone: (512) 471-3485
Becoming Certified in Texas Based on Out of State Certification
If you are seeking certification in Texas based on a standard certificate or credential issued by another
state, you must apply for a review of such credentials by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The
credential must be equivalent to a certificate issued by TEA and must not have been revoked, suspended
or pending any such action. TEA will evaluate an expired certificate or credential provided it was
standard at the time of issuance.
To apply for review, you must:
• Create a TEA Online account
• Apply for the review of out of state credentials in TEA Online
• Pay a $177 non-refundable fee in TEA Online
Mail in the following documents:
• Copies of the front and back of all educator certificates issued by another state or country
• Official transcripts of all college credits bearing the seal and signature of the college registrar
**Important Note for Applicants with Student Services or Administration Certification: If you hold a
stand-alone certificate in a student services or administration areas such as School Counselor, School
Librarian, Educational Diagnostician, Reading Specialist, Principal, or Superintendent, but do not hold a
classroom teaching certificate, you will need to submit documentation of two years of acceptable school
experience in the appropriate student services or administration area. Acceptable documentation may
be sent in the form of an official school service record from the employing school indicating the
assignment, school years of service, dates of employment, and percentage of the day in the assignment.
An applicant who holds a standard credential issued by a state outside of Texas, and who meets specified
requirements as determined by the review of credentials completed by the TEA staff may be issued a
One-Year Certificate in one or more subject areas. During the validity of this nonrenewable certificate,
the applicant must satisfactorily complete all appropriate examinations for each certification area for
which continued certification is desired. If the applicant has completed an examination administered
under the authority of a state outside Texas that is determined to be comparable to a Texas test, they
may request an exemption of the Texas test. Information on comparable out–of-state tests is available.
To apply online for a One-Year Certificate, log into your account, click on “Applications” then select the
application for “Out of State Certified Applicants” and then choose the box for “One Year Non-
Renewable Certificate”. Complete the application and pay the $52 fee.
Apply for a Standard Certificate:
To establish eligibility for the Standard Certificate, certified applicants from out of state must complete
all requirements specified in the certification plan prepared by the TEA staff. To apply online for a
Standard Certificate, login to your account, click on “Applications” then select the application for “Out of
State Certified Applicants” and then choose the box for “Standard Certificate”. Complete the application
and pay the $77 fee.