In Texas, you can become a teacher either by completing a traditional university-based Educator Preparation Program—earning an education degree, doing supervised student teaching, passing the TExES exams, and applying for certification—or by holding a bachelor’s degree in any field and enrolling in a state-approved Alternative Certification Program, during which you teach as a paid intern, complete accelerated coursework, pass the same exams, and then apply for your standard teaching certificate.
So you want to learn how to become a teacher in Texas? Well, you’re in the right place!
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about becoming a teacher in Texas so you can confidently take the next steps in your teacher certification journey.
Here at 240 Certification, we’ve helped 1000s of teachers get certified in Texas, so we know a thing or two about what it takes to become a teacher in the Lone Star State!
Requirements to become a teacher in Texas
Get your Bachelor's degree
You must obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university to teach in Texas.
However, if your degree is not in education, it does not mean your dream of becoming a teacher in Texas is over. You have options!
Alternative teacher certification in Texas is possible with fully accredited programs that guide you through every step of the state's requirements to become a certified teacher in Texas.
Complete an EPP
An EPP is an educator preparation program that meets the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) requirements. Most programs require 150 hours of coursework, 50 observation hours, and passing your content exams.
So, how do you find an EPP to join?
There are two paths you could take to complete an EPP.
If you take the traditional route to certification, you will complete an approved EPP through your college or university while earning your bachelor's degree.
If you have completed or are pursuing a degree in a field other than education, you would need to join an EPP through an alternative certification program when you have completed a bachelor's degree or are in your final semester of completing your Bachelor's degree.
Once enrolled, you will follow your alternative certification program's schedule to complete all steps of your EPP to obtain your teacher certification.
Pass Required Exams
The TExES is the series of exams you must take to become a certified teacher in Texas.
You will be expected to take both content and PPR exams. The content exam is for the subject you want to teach. At the same time, the PPR is the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities exam that tests to see if a candidate has the knowledge and skills that an entry-level teacher needs to teach in a public school in Texas.
EPPs differ in when they require candidates to take state exams throughout the program. Once you have been successfully admitted into an EPP, you will need approval from your program to take the required exams for certification.
You must determine what TExES content exam(s) you must pass to teach the subject and grade level you want to teach.
The Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam is now required for the issuance of five certification fields:
- Early Childhood: EC – Grade 3
- Core Subjects: EC – Grade 6
- Core Subjects: Grades 4 – 8
- English Language Arts and Reading Grades 4 – 8
- English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies Grades 4–8
Pro Tip 🧑‍🏫 : Most districts in Texas require teachers to have an ESL certification, so it is a good idea to also take the TExES ESL Supplemental exam.
So, how will you pass your exams? Don't worry; we've got you covered!
Check out this free download to help you prepare for your TExES exams.
Free download: https://www.240tutoring.com/resources/fail-proof-tips-to-pass-your-exam/
Field Experience
Depending on whether you choose a traditional or alternative certification route to teaching, you will be required to have observation hours and a teaching internship, clinical, or residency.
All alternative certification programs require a minimum of 50 observation hours and a one or two-semester teaching internship, clinical, or residency in the classroom.
Suppose you choose a traditional route to certification. In that case, your college or university will determine how many observation hours you will need and the length of internship, clinical, or residency required for your degree plan.
Field experience is vital to becoming a teacher in Texas and provides candidates with valuable classroom experience from veteran teachers.
Apply for Certification
After completing your EPP requirements, you must apply for certification by logging into your TEAL account. Under your Educator Certification Account, you will find your ECOS account, where you can fill out the application and pay the fee. Yeah! One step closer to becoming a teacher in Texas.
You might be wondering how much this will cost you. The fee to apply for certification is $78. Once you have successfully applied and paid for an application for certification, you will be ready for the next step.
Background Check and Fingerprinting
All candidates must pay a $49 fee to be fingerprinted for a national criminal history check before a Texas teacher certification can be issued. Having a criminal history could prevent you from becoming a teacher in Texas.
Criminal histories are reviewed individually, and many factors are considered. You can check your fingerprint status through your ECOS account by logging into your TEAL account.
What are the different pathways to becoming a teacher in Texas?
Traditional Route
A traditional route to Texas teacher certification begins with acceptance into a college or university to complete your bachelor's degree.
If you choose a traditional route to become a teacher in Texas, you usually enter college knowing you want to complete a bachelor's degree in education. You will then complete an approved EPP through your college or university once you have declared your major.
If you do not have a bachelor's degree, then a traditional route to teacher certification is right for you!
You can find more information on some of the best traditional programs through TEA. Once there, you can filter out other programs by selecting the "Traditional" option.
These programs will be completed through your undergraduate degree plan and within the timeline of your college's or univeristy's EPP.
Alternative Teacher Certification
Unlike a traditional route to certification, alternative certification programs require you to have completed your Bachelor's degree or be in your last semester of completing your Bachelor's degree.
You must apply for your preferred EPP after completing a bachelor's degree or in the final semester.
Once enrolled in the program, you must complete 150 coursework hours and 50 hours of observation and pass your certification exams.
There are many ACPs, so taking your time and finding the best program is important. When choosing an ACP, you'll want to choose a program that complements your schedule and needs and helps you prepare for the required tests.
How much does it cost to become a teacher in Texas?
Your costs will vary depending on the education preparation program you choose and what subject(s) and grade level certifications you seek.
Let's gauge your potential costs by walking you through the costs of becoming an elementary school teacher in Texas through an alternative certification program (ACP) after you've received your Bachelor's degree.
Certification Program Costs
First, you will want to apply and enroll in an approved ACP, where you will get paid during your internship year.
For example: 240 Certification will cost you $4,135. The prices of ACPs in Texas vary but most of them are between $4,000-$5,000. You will also need to look at other fees that may be included in the program's cost.
Exam Costs
Next, lets look at what certification exams a candidate who wants to become an elementary school teacher in Texas needs to take. This candidate will need to take 3-4 TExES exams.
The English as a Second Language Supplemental is optional but required for teachers in most Texas school districts.
The total costs of all exams come to $484. Exams can be expensive, so some districts reimburse current and future teachers to take their TExES and/or PACT exams.
Retake Costs
You will also need to consider any retake fees if you do not pass your certification tests on the first try. If your exam has multiple subject exams, you can retake whichever subject (s) you did not pass.
Look at the Core Subjects EC–6, which has 5 subject exams. If you do not pass one or two of the subject exams, you must retake each subject exam for $58 each. If you do not pass three or more of the subject exams, it would be more cost-effective to take the overall Core Subjects EC–6 again. You would not need to respond to questions in subject exams previously passed when retaking the overall exam.
There is also a 5-attempt limit of TExES certification tests. So, each time you take an individual subject or an overall exam, each testing session counts as one attempt.
Retake fees can add up quickly, so you want to prepare for your TExES exams using exceptional study materials and TExES practice tests.
So, let's wrap up the costs for our aspiring Texas elementary school teacher. This 240 Certification candidate would pay $4,135 for their EPP, $484 for exams, add in $78 to apply for certification, and $49 for fingerprinting to equal a grand total of $4,746, which is less than what other alternative certification programs are charging for only their EPP. Also, there's no need to add retake fees because this candidate will be using 240 Tutoring TExES study guides and will be fully prepared!
How long does it take to become a teacher in Texas?
How long it takes to become a teacher in Texas depends on which path to certification you take. You have a couple of options to become a certified teacher in Texas. Depending on your current qualifications, financial situation, and where you live play a factor in which option is best for you.
Option 1: take a traditional route to certification by pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in education from an accredited college. Through your degree plan you will complete an educator preparation program (EPP) that will prepare you for your field of study.
You will have field observation hours and a one to two year internship your last year, which is unpaid. Most undergraduates complete their degree plan in four years. If you have completed a lot of your college basics beforehand, you could complete an education degree in two to three years as long as your college credits transfer to your new degree.
Option 2: If you have a Bachelor’s degree the fastest way to certification is alternative certification. In as little as 18 months you could be teaching in your own classroom! Alternative certification programs offer paid internships, which get you into the classroom faster and provide you with full benefits in a school district of your choice.
Option 3: if you have a Bachelor’s degree and would like to pursue a Master’s degree you could go through an accredited program to obtain your Masters in Education.
Graduate programs can be completed in two years and will give you the credentials you will need to be eligible to apply for certification.
Most districts in Texas offer a pay raise or stipend for teachers who have their Masters Degree, that’s a great perk! You will want to weigh your options by considering your time, finances, and what future plans each degree and path will provide you with to determine which option works best for you.
How much do teachers get paid in Texas?
According to the NEA, the average salary for a starting teacher in Texas is $48,526. Teacher salaries in Texas are on a step scale based on years of service, so veteran teachers earn an average of $62,463 in Texas.
If you take the traditional route, you can get hired and earn an income with full benefits as soon as you graduate, pass your certification exams, and apply for certification. If you use an alternative certification program like ours, you can start getting paid and receiving full benefits during your internship year on an intern certification.
Many districts in Texas offer stipends to teachers for extracurricular activities, the teacher incentive allotment (TIA) program, having certifications that label them as highly qualified, and having a Master's degree.
If you're interested in advancing your career outside of the classroom, there are multiple education opportunities to use your Bachelor's degree to move into other positions. If you are interested in administration and becoming a principal, many Master's programs are 100% online that you can complete while still teaching in the classroom. The average principal salary in Texas is $102,000.
How to find a teaching job in Texas
If you are taking a traditional route to certification, you should start applying for jobs during your last semester before earning your bachelor's degree.
In Texas, you can apply for multiple districts through a regional application or to each school district individually. Larger districts will hold job fairs for representatives from each school to attend. Smaller districts usually have a few representatives from their districts attend regional job fairs, where multiple districts will be in attendance. Utilize every opportunity to network with districts you are interested in finding employment.
Job boards are also a great place to find job postings for multiple districts you are interested in teaching.
What subjects/grade levels can I teach?
In Texas, you can teach a wide range of subjects and grade levels, depending on your preference and education level.
The TExES certification exams are split up into grade levels and/or content areas, allowing some exams to overlap grade levels and provide options on which grade level you can teach in that content area.
Elementary
If you are passionate about teaching the youngest generation within an elementary school setting you must take your TExES Core Subjects EC – 6 exams with the Science of Teaching Reading (STR). Many elementary schools in Texas are pre-kindergarten through grade 5 or 6, and this certification will allow you to teach four core subjects, music, fine arts/theatre, PE/Health and all grade levels up to grade 6.
Middle School
If you are leaning towards teaching middle school students but are unsure which subject area you prefer, taking the Core Subjects 4 – 8 exam would be beneficial. The majority of middle schools in Texas consist of grades 6 – 8.
High School
If you are pursuing secondary education, figuring out which subject area you prefer to teach will help you decide which TExES content exam you need to take.
Now, if you are unsure which grade level you would like to teach but know which subject area you enjoy, taking both certification exams in that content area would benefit you and make you a highly qualified applicant. Some of the exams that overlap include:
- English Language Arts and Reading 4 – 8 and English Language Arts and Reading 7 – 12
- Mathematics 4 – 8 and Mathematics 7 – 12
- Science 4 – 8 and Science 7 – 12
- Social Studies 4 – 8 and Social Studies 7 – 12
What Texas districts can I teach in?
Location, personal relationships, school reputations, and job vacancies are all important factors when considering which districts in Texas you want to teach in.
Texas is huge, so its best to break it down by educational regions to make it easier find which district is best for you.
Texas currently has 20 Regional Education Service Centers (ESCs). Each ESC has a group of surrounding school districts they support to help them abide by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) guidelines and provide resources for educators.
Region 10 is one of the fastest growing ESCs in Texas serving over 60,000 teachers in 81 school districts and 42 charter schools. Region 10 serves a diverse array of school districts, each with unique strengths and challenges, including both historically under-resourced communities and those that have received high state ratings
TEA rates Texas school districts on an A-F rating scale. You can use the TEA website to learn more about the rating of specific campuses, districts, regions, or the entire state of Texas by viewing their accountability report.
Narrowing down the areas you want to apply for and searching district websites for job listings are great places to start. Each district in Texas has multiple resources on its website to help you find which district is best for you!
Clinical Teaching
Clinical teaching, also more commonly referred to as student teaching, is a beneficial and required step for Texas teachers to earn their certification.
Whatever path you take, traditional or alternative certification requires observation hours and an internship (1 or 2 semesters).
Many EPPs offer paid and unpaid student teaching options depending on whether you pursue a semester or year-long internship. When searching for a program, look for one that provides you with a program advisor who will be with you every step of your journey to teacher certification.
How do you become a substitute teacher or paraprofessional?
If you have a high school diploma or GED, then you most likely can work as a substitute teacher in Texas. Every school district in Texas determines their own requirements for employment for substitute teachers, so you should check with the school district you are interested in subbing in to know exactly what you need to be employable.
Many school districts in Texas desperately need substitute teachers and offer competitive pay depending on your level of education and certification. If you are available to sub on a Thursday or Friday, school districts in the DFW metroplex need more subs on those days and are paying substitutes a higher daily rate when they sub on certain days. Since substitutes are paid daily, how much money you make depends on how many sub-jobs you pick up throughout the year.
If you are looking for a steadier schedule, Paraprofessionals work a full contract year and have a more consistent paycheck than substitutes. The requirements to become a paraprofessional differ from those of a substitute teacher, so you must check with the school district where you are interested in working to know exactly what you need to be employable
Once you are hired as a paraprofessional, your district of employment will recommend you for certification, where you can apply for an Educational Aide Certification through a TEAL account.
Unlike full-time teachers in Texas, substitute teachers and paraprofessionals do not need a Bachelor's degree to complete an EPP program or take certification exams.
Historically, many teacher candidates have started out as substitute teachers or paraprofessionals.
What if I'm coming from another state or country?
If you are coming from another state or country you will need to apply for a review of your credentials through the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) which can be accessed through a TEAL account. Once your credentials have been reviewed, TEA will provide next steps for continuing in the certification journey. Texas currently does not have reciprocity with any other states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, no. While you cannot be a teacher of record, you can be a substitute teacher or paraprofessional. So, while the answer is no to being a certified teacher, there are still many ways you can be a part of education! Many Texas school districts allow substitute teachers with a high-school diploma or GED to substitute teach. You need to check with individual districts to know what qualifications they require of their substitutes and paraprofessionals. Many districts in Texas have a substitute shortage and encourage those passionate about teaching to apply!
This answer might shock you! Did you know you can become a teacher in Texas in as little as 12-18 months? With a teacher alternative certification program like 240 Certification, you can apply once you are in the final semester of completing your Bachelor’s degree. Already completed a Bachelor’s degree? Great! Your journey to teacher certification in Texas can begin now with 240 Certification.
Absolutely! If you want to become a teacher in Texas, you do not need a degree in education. If you are looking for a new career path, 240 Certification offers a teacher alternative certification program to help you become a certified teacher in Texas. Hear from these individuals who made the leap!Â
Absolutely! A huge perk of seeking alternative certification in Texas through a TEA-approved EPP is the ability to teach in a classroom while you earn your certification. 240 Certification has partnered with many Texas school districts to allow candidates to be hired and receive full pay and benefits while completing their year-long internship. Once you have completed 150 coursework hours, 50 observation hours, and passed your content exam(s), you will be issued a Statement of Eligibility (SOE). Once you have received your SOE, you can apply for your intern certification and begin teaching in your own classroom while earning your certification.
Texas does offer emergency teacher certification, but it’s managed by school districts—not certification programs. With several pathways available, the options can be confusing. Alternative certification remains one of the most streamlined ways to enter the classroom quickly. If you’re looking for a clear and supported path, choosing a program like 240 Certification can guide you through the process and get you teaching fast.
When starting a new career, you must consider what you will be paid for in those first few years. According to the NEA, the average salary for a starting teacher in Texas is $48,526. Once you have some earned years of service, veteran teachers earn an average of $62,463 in Texas.
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