TX certification
Texas teacher certification
Teaching credentials in Texas
Each row is a credential Texas reported to Title II. Initial means a first credential for a new teacher. Years is the length of validity.
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Certificate | No | 1 | No | EC-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Intern Certificate | No | 1 | No | EC-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| One-Year Certificate | No | 1 | No | EC-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Probationary Certificate | No | 1 | Yes | EC-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Standard Certificate | Yes | 5 | Yes | EC-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Visiting International Teacher Certificate | No | 3 | No | EC-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
Requirements
Yes means the state reports the item as required for that credential. Tests shows only whether tests are required; Title II does not name the tests.
| Credential | Bachelor's | Master's | Education degree | Prep program | Tests | Performance assessment | Clinical | Coursework | Credit hours | Min. GPA | Transcripts | Employment | Mentoring | Recency | Background check | Fingerprint | Police check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Certificate | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Intern Certificate | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| One-Year Certificate | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Probationary Certificate | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Standard Certificate | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Visiting International Teacher Certificate | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Verify a teaching license in Texas
Teaching licenses in Texas are verified on the lookup service run by Texas Education Agency. Search there by the teacher's name or certificate number to see current status.
PT3 does not verify licenses and holds no records of individual teachers.
Renewal
Renew times is how many times the credential can be renewed; renewal years is the length of each renewal.
| Credential | Renewable | Renew times | Renewal years | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Certificate | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Intern Certificate | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| One-Year Certificate | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Probationary Certificate | Yes | 1 | 1 | Not reported |
| Standard Certificate | Yes | 99 | 5 | Continuing professional development is required for renewal of the standard certificate. At least 150 clock hours of continuing professional education (CPE) must be completed during each five-year renewal period. Educators should complete a minimum of 20 clock hours of CPE each year of the renewal period. An educator renewing multiple certificates should complete a minimum of five CPE clock hours each year in the content area knowledge and skills for each certificate being renewed. At least 80% of the CPE activities should be directly related to the certificate(s) being renewed and focus on the standards required for the initial issuance of the certificate(s), including (1) content area knowledge and skills; (2) professional ethics and standards of conduct; and (3) professional development. Educators are encouraged to identify CPE activities based upon the results of their annual appraisal |
| Visiting International Teacher Certificate | No | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
Emergency and temporary credentials
| Credential | Initial | Years | Renewable | Grade levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Certificate | No | 1 | No | EC-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Intern Certificate | No | 1 | No | EC-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| One-Year Certificate | No | 1 | No | EC-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
| Probationary Certificate | No | 1 | Yes | EC-6, 4-8, 7-12 |
Out-of-state teachers
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Texas. Ask Texas Education Agency how it reviews licenses from other states.
Newly licensed teachers prepared out of state: 3,611.
Alternative routes
- Alternative Certification (teach while completing)
About Texas certification
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) grants educators the authority to govern the standards of their profession. SBEC is responsible for regulating and overseeing all aspects of the certification and continuing professional education of educators, along with setting and enforcing standards of conduct for public school educators in Texas. The SBEC is also charged with the approval and continued monitoring of Texas educator preparation programs. Board rules are designed to promote flexibility and creativity for entities offering educator preparation in designing their programs to address the unique characteristics and needs of their region of the state and the diverse population of potential educators. The administrative functions of SBEC are carried out through the Division of Educator Certification, Preparation, and Enforcement at the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
As of August 2024, there were 164 educator preparation providers accredited by SBEC to prepare and recommend teacher candidates for certification. These programs are operated by colleges, universities, school districts, regional education service centers, community colleges, and private organizations. These programs offer traditional, degree-granting routes along with alternative routes where candidates pursue certification without an additional degree. The educator preparation programs represent diversity in terms of their mission, student populations, size, faculty, resources, geographic location, and other characteristics.
The SBEC has adopted educator certification standards and assessments. Texas currently issues classroom teaching certificates at grade levels from early childhood through grade twelve. Prospective educators must hold an appropriate degree from an accredited institution of higher education, complete a state-approved educator preparation program, pass pedagogy and content pedagogy examinations, and complete a criminal background check. While not included in the following report, Texas also offers additional professional-class certificates for administrative roles (principal, superintendent), and student services (school counselor, educational diagnostician, school librarian, reading specialist).
Full information about the SBEC and TEA, including rules relating to educator preparation, assessment, certification, and professional discipline, and a list of approved educator preparation programs, please see the TEA website.
How to become a teacher in TexasTexas teacher preparation providers
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a teaching certificate in Texas?
Texas reports 6 credentials to Title II, 1 of them initial. 1 initial credentials require a bachelor's degree, 1 require a preparation program and 1 require tests. Apply through Texas Education Agency.
How do I verify a teaching license in Texas?
Licenses are verified on the lookup service run by Texas Education Agency. PT3 does not verify licenses.
Can I renew a Texas teaching certificate?
2 of 6 Texas credentials are reported as renewable. Renewal details by credential are listed in the Renewal section.
Does Texas issue emergency or temporary teaching certificates?
Yes. Title II lists 4: Emergency Certificate; Intern Certificate; One-Year Certificate; Probationary Certificate.
Can I teach in Texas with an out-of-state license?
Title II lists no separate out-of-state credential for Texas. Ask Texas Education Agency how it reviews licenses from other states.
Is there alternative teacher certification in Texas?
Yes. Texas reports 1 alternative route to Title II.