Free Guide to Texas Teaching Certification Requirements

Overview of Texas Teaching Certification Pathways

Texas offers multiple routes to earn a teaching certificate, each designed for different life circumstances and career backgrounds. The state recognizes that people come to teaching from various starting points, so there are options whether you have a bachelor's degree already or are still working on one.

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The main pathways include traditional university-based teacher preparation programs, alternative certification programs (ACPs), and post-baccalaureate programs. Traditional routes typically take four years and combine subject-matter coursework with education theory and student teaching. Alternative routes can often be completed in one to two years and are frequently designed for career changers or people who already hold bachelor's degrees in other fields.

According to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), alternative certification programs have grown significantly. As of recent data, roughly one-third of new teachers in Texas come through alternative certification pathways rather than traditional university programs. This reflects both the flexibility these programs offer and the ongoing demand for teachers across the state.

Each pathway has different cost structures, time commitments, and specific requirements. Some programs include employment agreements with school districts, meaning you might teach while completing certification requirements. Others require completion of all coursework and exams before you can enter a classroom as a certified teacher.

Practical Takeaway: Before exploring specific requirements, determine which pathway fits your situation. If you already have a bachelor's degree, alternative certification may be faster. If you're still an undergraduate, a traditional or post-baccalaureate program might work better for your timeline and finances.

Education and Degree Requirements

The foundational requirement for any teaching certificate in Texas is a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. This degree does not have to be in education. You could have a degree in biology, business, history, mathematics, or virtually any field. However, your subject matter knowledge must align with the certification area you're pursuing.

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For most secondary teaching certificates (grades 6-12), you need a bachelor's degree with a major or significant coursework in your subject area. For example, if you want to teach high school chemistry, you should have completed college-level chemistry courses. The specific number of credit hours in your subject varies by certification area, but generally ranges from 24 to 36 semester hours of upper-level coursework.

For elementary education certification (grades EC-6, which includes early childhood through sixth grade), you don't need a subject-specific degree. Instead, you need a bachelor's degree in any field plus completion of elementary education coursework, which covers subjects like reading, mathematics, science, and social studies at the elementary level.

Special education certifications also have specific requirements. For instance, to teach special education at the secondary level, you typically need either a bachelor's degree in special education or a bachelor's in another subject combined with special education coursework through your certification program.

If your bachelor's degree is in a field that doesn't directly align with a Texas teaching certification area, you may need to complete additional coursework. Some programs call this "content coursework" or "subject matter preparation." Universities and alternative certification providers offer these courses, and they can sometimes be completed before or concurrent with your education coursework.

Practical Takeaway: Review your current degree and transcripts against the specific certification area you want. If there's a gap in subject-matter content, research which programs offer bridging coursework so you know the full timeline and cost before committing.

Educator Preparation Program Requirements

Once you meet the degree requirement, you must complete an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). In Texas, EPPs are offered through universities, alternative certification companies, and school districts themselves. The program focuses on teaching methods, classroom management, educational psychology, and often includes a student teaching experience or internship.

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All EPPs must include training in certain required areas mandated by Texas law and state board policy. These include reading instruction methods, classroom management strategies, legal and ethical responsibilities, and how to work with diverse student populations. Many programs also cover technology integration, special education awareness, and culturally responsive teaching.

The length of an EPP varies. University-based programs integrated into a bachelor's degree span four years. Post-baccalaureate programs at universities typically take one to two years. Alternative certification programs range from several months to two years depending on the program structure and whether you're employed as a teacher while completing the program.

A critical component of most EPPs is the student teaching experience or internship. This is a period—usually four to twelve weeks—where you work under the supervision of an experienced teacher in a real classroom. You gradually take on more teaching responsibilities and receive feedback on your performance. Some alternative programs use an internship model where you're hired as an intern teacher by a school district and work under a mentor teacher while completing your certification requirements.

The Texas Education Agency publishes a list of approved EPPs. Before enrolling in any program, you can verify it's accredited and approved. Completion of an approved program is necessary to move forward with certification exams and official teacher certification.

Practical Takeaway: Request detailed information about the practicum or student teaching component from any program you consider. Ask whether it's a concentrated period (like full-time for 12 weeks) or spread throughout the program, as this affects your ability to work or maintain other commitments.

Examination Requirements and Content Standards

Texas requires all teacher candidates to pass content and pedagogy exams before receiving a teaching certificate. The primary exams are administered through the Examinations for the Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET) system and Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES). As of recent updates, the state has transitioned toward TExES as the main assessment platform.

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You typically need to pass two categories of exams: a content exam specific to your certification area and a pedagogy exam covering teaching methods and classroom practice. A content exam for high school math, for example, tests your knowledge of mathematics. A pedagogy exam tests your understanding of how to teach effectively.

Specific exam codes correspond to each certification area. For elementary education, you take a multi-subject content exam plus a pedagogy exam. For secondary mathematics, you take a mathematics content exam and a secondary pedagogy exam. Bilingual education requires additional exams in both English and the target language, plus bilingual-specific pedagogy.

Exam fees are set by the testing company and currently range from approximately $90 to $200 per exam, though this can vary. Most educator preparation programs include exam preparation materials or review courses. Some alternative certification programs build exam prep into their curriculum. Many universities offer test preparation workshops or study groups.

You don't have to wait until you finish your entire EPP to take exams. In fact, many programs encourage you to take content exams earlier in the process. You must pass all required exams before your teaching certificate is officially issued, but passing them before completion of your EPP can reduce stress and potentially speed up your certification timeline.

Practical Takeaway: Visit the official TExES website to review practice questions and study materials for your specific certification area. Understanding the exam format and content expectations helps you prepare more effectively, whether through formal exam prep or independent study.

Fingerprinting, Background Checks, and Character Standards

Texas requires all teacher candidates to undergo fingerprinting and background checks as part of the certification process. This is a legal requirement designed to protect students. The background check includes criminal history, sex offender registry verification, and other screening.

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You'll need to submit fingerprints through a process coordinated by the Texas Education Agency. Most educator preparation programs guide you through this step, providing information about where and how to get fingerprinted. Fingerprinting is typically done at local law enforcement agencies, and costs range from $15 to $50 depending on your location.

The background check examines criminal convictions, with particular attention to crimes involving children, drugs, violence, or dishonesty. Not all criminal history automatically disqualifies you from certification. Texas evaluates convictions on a case-by-case basis considering the nature of the crime, how long ago it occurred, and rehabilitation efforts. However, certain convictions—particularly felonies and crimes against children—typically result in certification denial.

Beyond criminal history, the Texas Education Agency assesses "moral character and fitness to teach." This is a broad standard that can include factors like substance abuse, financial irresponsibility demonstrated through bankruptcy or fraud, or professional conduct issues. The agency has authority to deny certification based on these