A TExES or ExCET test may be taken if one of the following criteria is met:
Educator Preparation ProgramsFurther information about EPP programs and a list of approved EPPs is available on the SBEC website. After acceptance and approval to test from your EPP, follow the steps for registering to test.
Out-of-State/Out-of-Country
If you are certified and hold a teaching credential from another state, a U.S. Territory or another country and are seeking to be certified in the equivalent fields, you must have your credentials reviewed by SBEC/TEA.
To have your credentials reviewed, go to the SBEC website and create an Educator Profile, complete an online application for review of credentials and submit appropriate documents by mail to TEA. After your credentials have been reviewed, you will be mailed information regarding the tests that you are approved to take. You can then register to test.
NOTE: The TEA Division of Educator Standards does not approve out-of-state/out-of-country candidates. These candidates should call the TEA toll-free number (1-888-863-5880), and select option 2 to talk to a certification/credentialing specialist.
Certification by Exam
If you hold a Texas classroom teaching certificate, you may add classroom certification areas by successfully completing the appropriate examination for the area(s) you are seeking.
NOTE: The TEA Division of Educator Standards does not approve certification by exam candidates. These candidates should call the TEA toll-free number (1-888-863-5880), and select option 2 to talk to a certification/credentialing specialist.
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 and competency in the same manner as teachers in public schools. Elementary teachers must demonstrate content mastery by passing TExES Generalist EC-4 (101). Secondary teachers must demonstrate content mastery by passing either the appropriate TExES or ExCET content examination or having at least 24 semester credit hours in the assigned content area.
NOTE: The TEA Division of Educator Standards does not approve charter school candidates. These candidates should call the TEA toll-free number (1-888-863-5880), and select option 2 to talk to a certification/credentialing specialist. Passing a TExES or ExCET test does not qualify charter school teachers for a Texas educator certificate.
Temporary Teacher Certificate
The Temporary Teacher Certificate (TTC) provides an additional route for persons who hold a bachelor's degree or higher to enter the teaching profession in Texas.
NOTE: The TEA Division of Educator Standards does not approve temporary teacher certificate candidates. These candidates should call the TEA toll-free number (1-888-863-5880), and select option 2 to talk to a certification/credentialing specialist.
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 deaf or hearing impaired to be issued a Temporary Exemption Certificate allowing them to teach in Texas public schools. Contact 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.
Testing Requirements for Language-Related Certificates Under the TExES and ExCET Testing Programs
If you already hold a classroom teaching certificate, certain testing requirements may already have been fulfilled. Talk to your EPP about which pedagogy test you are eligible to take or contact TEA for more information about required tests. See the 2009-10 testing requirements for language-related certificates.