Educator Certification Exams
Becoming a teacher in Texas involves several steps, starting with obtaining the necessary certifications. This page will guide you through the process, from initial certification to the required exams and additional certifications.
How do I become a teacher?
If you are seeking initial teacher certification in Texas you must contact an approved educator preparation program. If you are seeking initial educational aide certification, you must obtain a recommendation from a Texas school district.
- Becoming a Classroom Teacher in Texas
- Approved Educator Preparation Programs
- What resources are available to help me pay for a teacher training program?
- Becoming an Educational Aide in Texas
- Setting up an educator login account (ECOS)
What certification exams do I need?
Texas Educator Certification Examination Program
Candidates must have test approval before registering for a Texas Educator Certification Examination Program (TECEP) certification exam.
You may attempt Pre-Admission Content Tests (PACT) to demonstrate content mastery if you have never been admitted to a Texas-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) and you hold a bachelor’s degree or greater from an accredited university. PACT exams are not certification exams and are not subject to the 5-time test limit.
- 2019-20 Texas Educator Certification Tests with Test Codes (updates coming soon)
You must be approved by your EPP to test. Your EPP approves you for one exam attempt at a time, and you must request approval each time you wish to retake an exam.
If you hold a valid Texas classroom teaching certificate and a bachelor's degree you may add most classroom certification areas by successfully completing the appropriate test.
The Early Childhood: PK–3 #292 is not an exam available to be taken under the "Certification by Exam" option. It requires specific coursework and training to be completed with an Approved Educator Preparation Program. Please contact an approved educator preparation program for exam approval. The Early Childhood PK-3 FAQ is now available to address common inquiries.
If you hold teaching credentials from another state or country you must apply for a review of credentials for testing approval.
Charter schools may require their teachers to demonstrate content mastery in their assignments. Sign up for your content exam with the appropriate testing vendor. Beginning January 27, 2020 candidates must take the appropriate new content certification examination that corresponds with each certificate area. You will need a TEA ID number to register as a charter school candidate
Required Test Chart
Information about current, past and future tests may be found below:
- Required Texas Certification Tests (including deadlines to apply for certification)
Exam Transition Information and Resources
New Educator Standards and Draft Exam Framework
The development of certification tests is based on the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)-approved certification standards for each field. Prior to approval by the SBEC, each set of proposed certification standards is posted for 30 days for public comment. Test frameworks, which help guide the test development process for a new or revised certification test and are based on SBEC-approved certification standards, are also posted for 30 days for public comment.
No draft frameworks currently open for public comment.
Recently approved test frameworks:
#165 Bilingual Education Spanish Supplemental - Examination Framework
- #810 Core EC–6 Special Education Examination Framework, Curriculum Crosswalk
- #811 Core EC–6 English Language Arts and Reading Examination Framework, Curriculum Crosswalk
- #812 Core EC–6 Mathematics Examination Framework, Curriculum Crosswalk
- #813 Core EC–6 Social Studies Examination Framework, Curriculum Crosswalk
- #814 Core EC–6 Science Examination Framework, Curriculum Crosswalk
- #815 Core EC–6 Fine Arts, Physical Education, and Health Examination Framework, Curriculum Crosswalk
- #816 Core EC–6 Spanish Proficiency Examination Framework, Curriculum Crosswalk
- #817 Core EC–6 Bilingual Education Examination Framework, Curriculum Crosswalk
Examination frameworks for additional exams of the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program can be found within the exam preparation manual.
Additional Exam Information
House Bill 3, passed during the 86th Texas Legislature, established the requirement that all teacher candidates who teach students in grades Pre-K-6 demonstrate proficiency in the science of teaching reading on a new, standalone certification exam. This requirement took effect on January 1, 2021.
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)-approved Science of Teaching Reading standards define the knowledge and skills required of beginning educators related to the science of teaching reading who teach students in grades PK-6. The development of the STR certification exam is based on the Science of Teaching Reading standards. Detailed exam information, including preparation resources, is available on the exam registration website.
edTPA is a performance-based, subject-specific assessment and support system used to emphasize, measure, and support the skills and knowledge that all educators need to be effective. For edTPA, teacher candidates will prepare a portfolio of authentic evidence that reflects their Texas classroom and students during their clinical or internship experience.
Throughout the development of the portfolio, candidates have the opportunity to demonstrate their effectiveness to support students, engage students in ambitious learning, analyze students’ learning, and adjust their instruction to meet their students’ needs. To this end, candidates will provide evidence in response to the following questions for each of edTPA’s tasks:
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Test Exemption Instructions
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Test Exemption Application
- Audiologist Report Form
Please submit a Help Desk ticket for additional guidance.
Please submit completed applications through the online submission form.
This page includes resources to support Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) in aligning curriculum to the revised Classroom Teacher Pedagogy Standards in 19 TAC Chapter 235, Subchapter C.
All available recordings can be found on the TEA YouTube page