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Earn your Texas Teacher Certification!

Learn everything you need to know about Texas Teacher Certification.

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Texas Teacher Certification Requirements

To become a teacher in Texas, you must complete the follow steps:

Meet Education Requirements

  • You must earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
  • You must complete an Approved Educator Preparation Program (240 Tutoring is an accredited EPP, by the way!)

Student Teaching Requirements

  • Aspiring Texas teachers must complete 300 clock hours of coursework and training, including 30 hours of field experience, before taking on student-teaching roles.
  • All classroom teachers are required to have a supervised practicum experience to qualify for initial licensure in their desired subject or age level.

Pass Required Exams

  • Individuals who meet the minimum education requirements must then pass the required certification tests in their teaching subject, grade level, or specialization.
  • Common exam categories and subcategories for teaching certification in Texas include the TexES and PACT exams.

Apply for Certification

  • Candidates applying for initial teaching certification in Texas must create a TEA Login (TEAL) account at TEA.Texas.gov.
  • Here, applicants can submit the necessary test scores and fees for initial licensure, track the progress of their application, and check the status of their certification.

Apply for Teaching Jobs

  • Once you have your teacher certification you can now start applying for jobs.
  • You can use job boards and search engines like Google to find open teacher positions in your area.

Most popular Texas Teacher Certification Exams

Teachers in Texas must pass the required TExES exams, or in some instances the TX PACT exams, to become a certified teacher.

TExES Core Subjects 4-8 (211)

211

Official TExES Core Subjects: 4-8 study guide to help you pass your exam!

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TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC–12

160

Official TExES PPR study guide to help you pass your exam!

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TExES Science of Teaching Reading

293

Official TExES STR study guide to help you pass your exam!

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TX PACT Pre-Admission Content Test

PACT

Official TX PACT study guide to help you pass your exam!

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TExES English as a Second Language Supplemental

154

Official TExES ESL Supplemental study guide to help you pass your exam!

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Texas Alternative Certification

If you have a bachelor’s degree in subject outside of Education and want to be a teacher you can take the alternative certification route to become a teacher in Texas. Through alternative certification you will be able study for your teacher certification exams while meeting your student teacher requirements. Alternative teacher certification usually take between 12-18 months, which is a lot quicker than the 3-4 year traditional route.

Learn more about 240 Certification

How to Register For the Exams?

You can follow the following steps to register for your teacher certification exams:

  • Identify Your Exams: Determine the specific teacher certification exams you need to take. If you are a part of a certification program you should talk to your program advisor to determine which exams you need to take.
  • Create an Account: Visit the official testing service website and create an account.
  • Select Exam and Date: Login, choose your exam, and select a convenient test date and location.
  • Complete Registration: Follow instructions, provide necessary information, and pay exam fees online.

How To Study for Your Texas Teacher Certification Exam(s)

To become a certified teacher you must pass your required exam(s). Luckily, we offer a wide variety of study guides to help you pass your exams and get closer to getting that teacher certificate. Our study guides offer practice questions, video lessons, quizzes and full length practice tests to ensure you are ready come test day!

Our curriculum team studies all of the standards and competencies for the exams and cross-references them with the current and previous questions released by the official testing company. We then work with content and teaching experts to distill down what test-takers need to know. No matter where you are in the study guide, you can always see how the concept you are learning is aligned to the test standards.

How Do I Maintain Teaching Certification in Texas?

Once they receive initial licensure, employed educators must renew their standard educator certificate every five years. Employers require teachers to hold both valid and active certification.

Best Education Schools in Texas

  • University of Texas–Austin
  • Texas A&M University–College Station
  • SMU (Simmons)
  • Texas Tech University
  • University of Houston
  • University of North Texas
  • Texas State University
  • Texas Christian University
  • University of Texas–San Antonio
  • Baylor University

Texas Teacher Salary Information

The average Public School Teacher salary in Texas is $56,730 as of March 26, 2024, but the range typically falls between $47,363 and $69,206.

Take the Next Step Towards Your Texas Teacher Certification!

More Texas Teacher Certification Resources

Do You Know Which TExES Exams You Need to Take? https://www.240tutoring.com/texes-prep/do-you-know-which-texes-exams-you-need-to-take/

You have put in countless hours to become a teacher, and now it comes down to taking a TExES test. But what TExES exams do you need to take? And in what order?

Know More

Everything You Need to Know About TExES Scores https://www.240tutoring.com/texes-prep/everything-you-need-to-know-about-texes-scores/

In this section, we will tell you everything you need to know about how the TExES is scored, including the minimum score needed to pass, how long it takes to get scores, and how to interpret a score report.

Know More

How Much Does it Cost to Take Your Texas Teacher Certification Exam? https://www.240tutoring.com/texes-prep/what-you-must-know-about-the-texes-exam-cost/

Well, look no further, because everything you need to know about those TExES exam fees is right here.

Know More

Your Ultimate Guide to TExES Registration https://www.240tutoring.com/texes-prep/your-ultimate-guide-to-texes-registration/

We will walk you through how to register for an exam step by step.

Know More

50,000 Teachers passed their exam last year with the help of 240!

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Texas Teacher Certification FAQs

How long does it take to become a teacher in Texas?

It takes roughly five years for aspiring teachers in Texas to achieve the certification they need to enter the field. This covers the time it takes for students to earn a traditional bachelor’s degree (four years) and complete an educator preparation program (one year).

Can you teach in Texas without a teaching degree?

Yes, in some cases. You can teach in Texas without certification only if issued a school district teaching permit (SDTP). However, most Texas teaching positions require certification. The state allows school districts to issue a SDTP to individuals who do not have a teaching certificate.

Is the Texas teaching certification hard?

The TExES has a passing rate of about 92%. Candidates should keep in mind that each subtest is different and will vary in difficulty.

What teachers are in demand in Texas?

  1. Bilingual/English as a Second Language.
  2. Career and Technical Education (secondary level)
  3. Computer Science/Technology Applications.
  4. English Language Arts and Reading (secondary level)
  5. Mathematics (secondary level)
  6. Science (secondary level)
  7. Social Studies (secondary level)
  8. Special Education

How fast can you get a teaching certificate in Texas?

To teach in the state of Texas, the certification process can take 4 to 6 months if you have a bachelor’s degree.

Not sure what to study, or if you are going to pass? We can help!

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