How Do I Get My Teaching Certificate in Texas?
Texas has one of the largest K–12 teaching workforces in the country — over 400,000 teachers serving 5.5 million public school students. It also has one of the most accessible certification systems, with robust alternative routes that allow career changers, military veterans, and mid-career professionals to enter the classroom without completing a traditional four-year B.Ed.
If you want to teach in Texas, here is exactly what to do.
Who Issues Texas Teaching Certificates
Texas teacher certificates are issued by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), which operates under the Texas Education Agency (TEA). SBEC certifications are granted in specific subject areas and grade levels — you will need to identify your target certification area before beginning.
Two Main Paths to Certification
Path 1: Traditional University-Based Certification
Complete a bachelor's degree (in education or another field) at an accredited institution with a state-approved teacher preparation program. This program includes:
- Coursework in pedagogy, curriculum, and educational psychology
- A student teaching practicum (typically one semester of full-time classroom placement)
- Preparation for the required certification exams
At the end of the program, you apply for certification through the TEA portal. This path takes 4 years from the start if you're pursuing a B.Ed., or roughly 1–2 years of a post-baccalaureate program if you already hold a bachelor's degree.
Path 2: Alternative Certification Program (ACP)
Texas has one of the most developed alternative certification systems in the country. An ACP allows candidates with a bachelor's degree to become certified teachers while teaching in a classroom — meaning you can be earning a full teacher's salary almost immediately.
How ACPs work:
1. You apply to a state-approved ACP provider (university or private)
2. You pass the required certification exams (content area + pedagogy)
3. You are placed in a classroom as the teacher of record under a Standard Certificate or Probationary Certificate
4. You complete coursework requirements through the ACP provider while teaching (usually 1–2 years)
5. You are issued a Standard Certificate
There are over 100 approved ACP providers in Texas. Some of the most widely used:
- Region 13 Education Service Center (Austin area)
- Texas Teachers of Tomorrow
- UTeach (STEM focus)
- Various university-affiliated programs
ACP is especially well-suited for career changers who have a bachelor's degree in their target teaching subject — a biology major who wants to teach science, or an accountant who wants to teach math.
Required Certification Exams
Texas requires passing scores on two types of exams, administered by Pearson:
TExES Content Exam
Tests your knowledge of the subject area you want to teach. Examples:
| Subject | Exam Code |
|---|---|
| Mathematics 4-8 | TExES 115 |
| Mathematics 7-12 | TExES 235 |
| English Language Arts 4-8 | TExES 117 |
| Science 4-8 | TExES 116 |
| Special Education EC-12 | TExES 163 |
| Bilingual Education | TExES 164 |
| Core Subjects EC-6 | TExES 291 |
TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR)
All candidates must pass the PPR exam, which tests general teaching knowledge, classroom management, and professional standards. The PPR is the same regardless of your content area.
Exam cost: approximately $82 per exam. You can retake exams if needed; most candidates prepare with commercially available study materials available through Pearson and third-party providers.
Step-by-Step: Getting Certified in Texas
Step 1: Confirm your bachelor's degree is from an accredited institution. A 2.5 GPA minimum is required (2.8 for some programs).
Step 2: Choose your certification route — traditional (post-bac or B.Ed.) or alternative certification program.
Step 3: Apply to your chosen program and complete any required admissions assessments.
Step 4: Register for and pass your content-area TExES exam and the PPR. Some ACPs allow you to start your first semester before passing exams; others require passing before placement.
Step 5: Complete your student teaching practicum (traditional route) or begin teaching under a Probationary Certificate (ACP route).
Step 6: Apply for your Standard Certificate through the TEA website. You'll submit your program completion record, background check clearance, and proof of passing exam scores.
Processing time: 4–6 weeks for online applications once all documentation is submitted.
Texas Teaching Salary
Texas teacher pay is set at the district level, with a state minimum salary schedule as a floor. Actual compensation varies significantly by district.
| Salary Driver | Range |
|---|---|
| State minimum (BA, 0 years) | ~$33,660 |
| Typical urban district (Dallas, Houston, Austin) | ~$48,000-$62,000 entry |
| Experienced teacher (15+ years, urban district) | $68,000-$82,000 |
| High-demand subject (SPED, bilingual, STEM) | Sign-on bonuses of $3,000-$15,000 common |
Texas has no state income tax, which meaningfully increases real take-home pay relative to nominal salary comparisons with higher-tax states.
Dallas ISD Example
DISD offers entry salaries around $58,000 for new teachers and has added significant signing incentives for STEM, bilingual, and special education. The district also participates in the Dallas ISD Teacher Excellence Initiative, which ties additional compensation to performance.
High-Demand Subjects in Texas 2026
Texas lists shortage areas annually through the TEA. Currently critical:
- Special Education (EC–12) — state and federally mandated; persistent statewide shortage
- Bilingual Education / ESL — Texas has the second-largest ELL population in the US; bilingual-certified teachers command premiums
- Mathematics 4–8 and 7–12 — consistent statewide shortage
- Science (Chemistry, Physics) — small pool; competitive hiring
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) — industry-experienced educators are sought; some CTE certifications have modified requirements for professionals entering teaching
Where the Jobs Are in Texas
Texas's major metro areas all have large, growing districts:
- Houston ISD and surrounding districts — Texas Medical Center region; large, diverse
- Dallas ISD, Plano, and Frisco ISDs — rapidly growing suburbs
- Austin ISD and Round Rock ISD — tech-sector growth driving school expansion
- San Antonio ISD — high military family population; JROTC opportunities
- Rural and West Texas districts — significant shortage vacancies; signing incentives available
Start Your Search
Browse live K–12 teaching positions across Texas right now.
Data sourced from Texas Education Agency, SBEC, Texas teacher salary schedule, and live job posting volume on k12.careers. Updated April 2026.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Texas teaching certificate?
You need to complete an approved educator preparation program (EPP) — either a traditional university-based program or an alternative certification program (ACP) — pass the required TExES content and pedagogy exams, and apply through TEA's online certification system. University programs take 2–4 years. ACPs can be completed in 12–18 months, often while teaching on an intern certificate. The SBEC issues the official certificate.
Can I teach in Texas without a degree?
No — a bachelor's degree is required for all Texas teaching certificates. However, your undergraduate degree does not need to be in education; alternative certification programs are specifically designed for people who have a non-education degree and want to enter teaching. This makes Texas accessible for career changers with subject-matter expertise in shortage areas like math, science, or CTE.
How long does Texas teacher certification take?
Through an alternative certification program, you can be classroom-ready in as few as 6–12 months, with many programs placing you in an internship classroom while you complete coursework. Traditional university programs take 2–4 years. Once you pass all required exams and complete your program, TEA typically processes certification in 4–8 weeks.
What TExES exams do I need to pass?
Most certifications require at least two exams: a content area exam (testing subject-matter knowledge) and the EdTPA (educator performance assessment, demonstrating classroom practice) or the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam. Some specialties have additional requirements. Exam fees run $116–$131 per attempt. Many certification programs include exam prep, and study materials are available through the ETS website.
Is it worth becoming a teacher in Texas?
For teachers in shortage subjects — math, science, special education, bilingual education — Texas offers reliable employment, relatively streamlined certification through ACPs, no state income tax, and a large enough job market to find positions in a variety of settings. The trade-offs are lower average salaries than coastal states and a less union-protected environment. Texas teacher salaries have improved since the 2019 Teacher Pay Raise but remain below national averages in many districts.
