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    Frequently Asked Questions

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The TEACH Certification Guide covers everything you need to start your journey. Get details about teaching pathways, certification areas and steps to certification, all in one place! It’s completely free.
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How to Earn Your Texas Teaching Certificate

To become a Texas teacher, you’ll need to complete a few steps. Get an overview here—and find more details in the Certification Guide!
  1. 1

    Look for bachelor’s + teaching certificate programs.

    Many teaching programs let you combine a bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate—so you can get certified while you finish your undergraduate coursework.

    You’ll need a degree to teach most subjects. That said, for certain Career & Technical Education subjects, you may not need a degree if you have vocational work experience. Check out the FAQs for more info!

  2. 2

    Apply to programs and enroll.

    Once you’ve found a few programs that interest you and work with your lifestyle, you can start applying! 

    TEACH can help you save money on teaching program applications! We’ll reimburse up to $100 for any required application expenses, like application and transcript fees. Get $100 back.

  3. 3

    Decide what you want to teach.

    Not sure what you want to teach? That’s okay! You can still start your teaching program. You’ll usually declare a major and choose your teaching subject partway through your program. It’s helpful if your major and future teaching subject match. 

    Getting certified in a shortage area subject—such as special education, science or bilingual education—provides more job opportunities!

    Explore Texas teacher certification areas.

  4. 4

    Pass Texas certification tests.

    Before you get certified, you’ll need to pass the TExES (a.k.a. Texas Examinations of Educator Standards). This test is meant to show you know your stuff well enough to teach it. It covers content in your subject area, as well as specific teaching strategies. 

    You’ll usually take the TExES around the time you finish your teaching program.

  5. 5

    Complete a background check.

    To get your teaching certificate in Texas, you'll need to complete a fingerprint background check. The Texas Education Agency will evaluate any criminal history on a case-by-case basis. (1)

  6. 6

    Apply for your initial Texas teaching certificate.

    Almost there! Your teaching program will need to confirm that you’re eligible to apply for your teaching certificate. 

    Once you get confirmation, you’ll create an account through the Texas Education Agency’s online portal. You’ll use this account to apply.

     

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about Texas teacher certification.

Your costs will vary depending on your teaching program and the tests required for your particular teaching certificate. Learn more about teaching program costs.

In addition to program tuition, you can expect to pay fees for things like your teaching certificate application, background check and TExES exam. (2)(3)

Yes. Texas requires all public school teachers to hold a valid teaching certificate from the Texas Education Agency.

That said, if you have vocational work experience, you may be able to get certified in Career and Technical Education, or CTE, without going through a standard teaching program. Depending on your field, you may also be able to start teaching without a degree! Positions are available in fields such as automotive repair, health sciences, agricultural science and others. Learn more.

Wondering how to pay for your program? We can help! Check out resources like scholarships, grants and other financial aid opportunities with our TEACH Financial Aid Explorer.

If you’re an international student, you’ll need extra documentation when you apply to your teaching program. It’s a good idea to start collecting those documents as soon as possible.

Here are some of the documents you may need:

  • Test scores, such as the TOEFL, to meet your program’s language proficiency requirements. 
  • Documentation that shows you are eligible to work legally in the U.S. This can be a copy of a valid work authorization, permanent resident card or U.S. passport.
  • An evaluation of your transcripts and other credentials from an approved credential evaluation organization. 

Check with your teaching program’s International Student Services Office to find out what specific documents they require.

As a Texas educator, your pay will depend on your years of experience and where you work. The overall average teacher salary in Texas is about $61,000. (4)

You can increase your salary with added credentials, such as a master’s degree. If you’ve taught for at least three years, you can also earn more with a National Board Certification.

Learn more about Texas teacher pay and benefits.

Ready to teach in DFW, San Antonio or Houston?

Get the support you need with advising, thousands in scholarships, test prep and fee reimbursements. Select your region and start your journey today!
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Earn Your Texas Teaching Certificate

Curious about becoming a teacher in Texas? Get an overview here, and download our free Certification Guide!

Get the GuideLearn About Certification Areas
A new teacher smiling. She wears a blouse and blazer. Next to her is an illustration of a teaching certificate.

On this page, we’ll go over the steps to get certified to teach in Texas, plus answer some commonly asked questions about certification. Let’s dive in!

References

1. National Criminal History Checks FAQs. Texas Education Agency. https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/investigations/national-criminal-history-checks-faqs

2. TEA Current Teacher Certification Fees. University of Texas at Austin. https://cloud.wikis.utexas.edu/wiki/spaces/COEfieldexperiences/pages/27310020/TEA+Current+Teacher+Certification+Fees

3. Exams. Texas Educator Certification Examination Program. Pearson Education. https://www.tx.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_Tests.html

4. “Teacher Pay and Student Spending: How Does Your State Rank?” National Education Association.https://www.nea.org/resource-library/educator-pay-and-student-spending-how-does-your-state-rank