Certification Requirements

Teachers of Students Who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing

Below are the requirements for teachers seeking the Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing certificate. All teachers who seek certification to teach in a signed communication classroom must pass the TASC. Persons who seek to teach in a classroom where other communication methods are primarily used are not required to pass the TASC.

Your Current Status

To Obtain the Teacher of the Deaf
and Hard-of-Hearing Certificate

You have never been certified as a teacher in Texas.

Complete preparation requirements at an approved Educator Preparation Program in Texas and pass the following tests*:

TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160)
AND
TExES Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (181)
AND
TASC (072)

You hold a valid Texas standard or lifetime teacher certificate in another subject or area.

Pass both of the following tests*:

TExES Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (181)
AND
TASC (072)

You possess an ASL certificate issued by another state or country.

Have your credentials reviewed** and approved by the TEA and pass the following tests*:

TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160)
AND
TExES Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (181)
AND
TASC (072)

* A temporary exemption certificate is available for individuals who have a hearing impairment so severe that they cannot process linguistic information with or without amplification (TEC §21.048[d][1]). Contact the TEA at 1-888-863-5880 (voice) or through Relay Texas at 1-800-735-2989 for more information. TASC is only required for individuals wishing to teach in a sign communication classroom.
** Refer to NOTE below regarding exams administered for certification in other states or countries.

NOTE: In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature passed legislation that states that individuals holding out-of-state or out-of-country certificates who perform satisfactorily on certain examinations "similar to and at least as rigorous as" the Texas certification exams may be issued Texas educator certificate(s) without additional testing. The TEA has begun reviewing tests used in other jurisdictions to determine their comparability to Texas exams. For a list of tests reviewed to date and for additional information, visit the SBEC website.

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American Sign Language Teachers

Individuals must be certified in American Sign Language (ASL) in order to teach ASL in Texas public schools (TAC §240.1). Persons must meet the requirements below to obtain ASL certification.

Your Current Status

To Obtain the American Sign Language (ASL) Certificate

You have never been certified as a teacher in Texas.

Complete preparation requirements at an approved Educator Preparation Program in Texas and pass the following tests*:

TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 4-8 (110)
OR
TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 8-12 (130)
OR
TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12*** (160)
AND
TExES American Sign Language (ASL) (184)
AND
TASC-ASL (073)

You hold a valid Texas standard or lifetime teacher certificate in another subject or area.

Pass both of the following tests*:

TExES American Sign Language (ASL) (184)
AND
TASC-ASL (073)

You possess an ASL certificate issued by another state or country.

Have your credentials reviewed and approved by the TEA and pass the following tests*:

TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 4-8 (110)
OR
TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 8-12 (130)
OR
TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12*** (160)
AND
TExES American Sign Language (ASL) (184)
AND
TASC-ASL** (073)

* A temporary exemption certificate is available for individuals who have a hearing impairment so severe that they cannot process linguistic information with or without amplification (TEC §21.048[d][1]). Contact the TEA toll free at 1-888-863-5880 (voice) or through Relay Texas at 1-800-735-2989 for more information.
** Refer to NOTE below regarding exams administered for certification in other states or countries.
***Consult your Educator Preparation Program or contact the TEA to determine which pedagogy test you are eligible to take.

NOTE: In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature passed legislation that states that individuals holding out-of-state or out-of-country certificates who perform satisfactorily on certain examinations "similar to and at least as rigorous as" the Texas certification exams may be issued Texas educator certificate(s) without additional testing. The TEA has begun reviewing tests used in other jurisdictions to determine their comparability to Texas exams. For a list of tests reviewed to date and for additional information, visit the SBEC website.

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