Testing Requirements

Approval to Test

You may take a TExES or ExCET test if one of the following criteria is met:

Educator Preparation Programs

If you are fulfilling requirements in an SBEC/TEA-approved Texas Educator Preparation Program, you must receive approval to take a certification examination. After acceptance and approval to test from your Educator Preparation Program, you will acquire a TEA ID number by completing an Educator Profile on the SBEC website.

  • University Initial - a program usually delivered as part of a baccalaureate program that includes student teaching
  • University Post Baccalaureate - a program that may be offered to an individual who already holds at least a bachelor's degree and is seeking certification
  • University Alternative Certification Program - an Alternative Certification Program offered by a university
  • Alternative Certification Program - a nontraditional Educator Preparation Program for teachers and administrators who hold bachelor's degrees or higher that may involve university coursework or other professional development experiences as well as intense mentoring and supervision during the candidate's first year in the role of educator

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Out-of-State/Out-of-Country

If you are certified in another state, a United States Territory, or another country, approval to test must be granted from SBEC/TEA after you enter an Educator Profile on the SBEC website. (Entering a profile generates a TEA ID number.) After entering the SBEC Educator Profile information, you must complete an online application for review of credentials and submit appropriate documents by mail to TEA. After the credentials have been reviewed by TEA, you will be sent information regarding the tests that you are approved to take. If you are out-of-state or out-of-country, you can view your approved examinations in your SBEC Educator Profile under "View Examinations" to confirm your eligibility to test.

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 a Texas educator certificate without additional testing. If you hold an acceptable teaching credential from another state or country and are seeking to be certified in the equivalent field(s), you must have your credential reviewed by SBEC/TEA. Please visit the SBEC website for more information.

NOTE: The TEA Division of Educator Standards does not approve out-of-state examinees. If you are an out-of-state examinee calling the TEA toll-free number (1-888-863-5880), please select 2 to talk to a credentialing specialist.

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Certification by Exam

If you hold an appropriate Texas classroom teaching certificate, you may add classroom certification areas by successfully completing the appropriate examination for the area(s) sought. You must go to your Educator Profile on the SBEC website to receive your TEA ID number, which you will use to register for an exam on the ETS online registration system.

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Charter School

To fulfill the No Child Left Behind federal requirement to be highly qualified, charter school teachers must demonstrate content mastery in their assignment. Charter school teachers must demonstrate competency in the same manner as teachers in public schools. For elementary teachers, content mastery is demonstrated by passing TExES Generalist EC-4 (test 101). For secondary teachers, content mastery is demonstrated by either passing the appropriate TExES/ExCET content examination or having at least 24 semester credit hours in the assigned content area.

NOTE: Passing a TExES or ExCET test does not qualify charter school teachers for a Texas educator certificate.

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Temporary Teacher Certificate

You are eligible if you hold a bachelor's degree or higher, with an academic major related to at least one area of the 8-12 certificate structure with an associated TExES examination, and your transcripts have been reviewed by the SBEC/TEA staff.

The Temporary Teacher Certificate provides an additional route for persons who hold bachelor's degrees or higher to enter the teaching profession in Texas. Persons requesting a Temporary Teacher Certificate must be employed for the two-year validity period of the certificate. The school district(s) must be approved by the SBEC/TEA and will assume the responsibility of training the individual for the validity period of the certificate. A Temporary Teacher Certificate can only be issued for grades 8-12 in curriculum areas that currently have an examination under the TExES program. If you are seeking to obtain a Temporary Teaching Certificate, you must first have your transcripts reviewed by the SBEC/TEA to determine your eligibility to test.

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Exemptions for the Hearing Impaired

If you are deaf or hearing impaired, you may be exempt from the TExES or ExCET testing requirements. Texas Education Code §21.048 allows certain individuals who are hearing impaired to be issued a Temporary Exemption Certificate allowing them to teach in Texas public schools. Contact the TEA or visit the SBEC website for more information.

NOTE: If your certification requires the Texas Assessment of Sign Communication (TASC), the Texas Assessment of Sign Communication-American Sign Language (TASC-ASL), and/or the TExES American Sign Language (ASL) test(s), you must pass these tests even if you are hearing impaired.

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