The short version
Alternative certification programs (ACPs) are TEA-approved routes to a Texas teaching certificate for people who already have a bachelor's degree. These are the five programs Texas candidates enrolled in most in 2025, listed by content exam pass rate.
240 Certification ranked first, or tied for first, on all six TEA quality measures in 2025. It has the highest content exam pass rate (97%) and the fewest candidates per field supervisor (4, against a five-program average of 17).
ECAP has the second-highest content exam pass rate (95%) and the lowest standard price ($4,490).
Teachworthy is tied for the highest principal survey score (2.37) and is second on the new-teacher survey. Most of its fee is due after you're hired.
iTeach has a 91% content exam pass rate, just above the 90% state average, and the highest standard price ($5,449).
Teachers of Tomorrow offers periodic discounts for paying upfront. It also has the lowest content exam pass rate (86%, below the state average) and the most candidates per supervisor (34).
How we compared
Texas has many alternative certification programs. We compared the five most popular, measured by 2025 enrollment, and ranked them by content exam pass rate. Teachers of Tomorrow appears in TEA's records as A+ Texas Teachers.
- Content and PPR exam pass rates: the share of certification exams passed on the first or second attempt, as TEA calculates them.
- Candidates per field supervisor: how many interns each supervisor coaches during the teaching internship.
- New-teacher and principal surveys: TEA surveys first-year teachers and their principals each spring. Scores are averages on TEA's 0–3 scale, where 2 means "sufficiently prepared."
- Student outcomes: the share of a program's first-year teachers whose students met TEA's STAAR growth standard.
The quality data is TEA's 2025 reporting year, published in its consumer information about educator preparation programs. TEA publishes these reports for every approved program, so you can check any program, including ones not listed here. Prices come from each program's own website, and ratings from each program's Google or Trustpilot page. All are linked below.
Disclosure: 240 Certification publishes this page and is one of the five programs compared. If a number has changed, email admin@240certification.com and we'll update it.
How the programs compare on quality
Every number below comes from the Texas Education Agency's 2025 reports on educator preparation programs. 240 Certification ranked first, or tied for first, on all six measures.
Source: Texas Education Agency, Educator Preparation Data Dashboard, consumer information reports, 2025 reporting year. Checked November 2, 2026.
| Measure | 240 Certification | ECAP | Teachworthy | iTeach | Teachers of Tomorrow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content exam pass rateHigher is betterMost important | 97% (best in row) | 95% | 94% | 91% | 86% |
| PPR exam pass rateHigher is better | 100% (best in row) | 95% | 96% | 96% | 94% |
| Candidates per field supervisorFewer is better | 4 (best in row) | 16 | 12 | 21 | 34 |
| New-teacher survey, overall0–3 scale, higher is better | 2.58* (best in row) | 2.46 | 2.51 | 2.33 | 2.23 |
| Principal survey0–3 scale, higher is better | 2.37 (best in row) | 2.29 | 2.37 (best in row) | 2.34 | 2.32 |
| Student outcomes, 2025Higher is better | 84.1% (best in row) | 73.7% | 72.5% | 74.8% | 75.4% |
Best result in the row (principal survey is a tie)The measure that decides whether you finish
State averages: 90% content exam pass rate, 95% PPR pass rate. *Highest overall new-teacher survey score in Texas among programs with more than 100 teachers surveyed.
Why this number matters most
If you don't pass your content exam, you can't finish
Every Texas candidate has to pass a TExES content exam in their subject to complete the program and earn a standard certificate. That's true no matter how much of the program fee you've already paid. A lower pass rate means more candidates stuck partway, paying for a certificate they can't yet get. The state average is 90%.
PassedDid not pass, out of every 100 content exams
Pricing, side by side
These are program fees only. State certification and TExES exam fees are extra at every program. Prices come from each program's own site, checked November 2, 2026.
| Program | Standard price | With discount terms | When you pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 240 CertificationTest prep includedMilitary discount | $4,985monthly plan | $4,585pay in full | Monthly plan: $250/month for 15 months starting at enrollment ($3,750), plus a $35 TEA technology fee with the first payment, plus two field-experience semesters at $600 each once your internship starts ($1,200). Total: $4,985. Active-duty service members, veterans and their spouses get $125 off the first payment. |
| ECAP | $4,490 | – | $165/month for 6 months of training, then $350/month for 10 months, only while you're employed as a teacher. |
| Teachworthy | $4,500 | – | $495 at enrollment; the remaining $4,005 after you're hired ($445/month for 9 months). |
| iTeach | $5,449 | $4,949monthly payment plan | $99/month during coursework. The $500 payment-plan discount applies when field experience begins, and the balance is paid during your residency. |
| Teachers of Tomorrow | $5,400 | Variesperiodic discounts for paying upfront | $95/month during pre-service training, then 10 monthly payments once hired. A "pay when you're hired" option is also offered. |
What candidates say
Star ratings from public review sites, checked November 2, 2026. For each program we show its highest-rated major review platform, so every program appears at its best. Ratings aren't perfectly comparable: programs that ask candidates for reviews tend to score higher, and a rating built on thousands of reviews is steadier than one built on a few dozen.
| Program | Rating | Reviews | Platform | What reviewers praise most |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 Certification | ★4.8Highest rating | 61 | Dedicated advisors who answer quickly and make a career change feel manageable | |
| ECAP | ★4.0 | 68 | Supportive staff and mentors who are former principals | |
| Teachworthy | ★4.6 | 167 | Supportive advisors and field supervisors; the Capturing Kids' Hearts training | |
| iTeach | ★4.4 | 1,113 | Trustpilot (all states) | Self-paced coursework and quick answers from staff |
| Teachers of Tomorrow | ★4.4 | 2,796 | Patient, helpful program advisors, especially during enrollment | |
| Region 4 Inspire TexasHonorable mention | ★4.7 | 172 | Field supervisors and teacher development coaches |
The programs
Listed by content exam pass rate. Five-program averages: 93% content pass rate, 17 candidates per supervisor, 76.1% student outcomes.
Best for exam results and coaching240 Certification
What reviewers praiseDedicated advisors who answer calls and questions quickly, and a team that makes a career change feel manageable.
61 Google reviews- Content pass
- 97%
- PPR pass
- 100%
- Per supervisor
- 4
- Price
- $4,585+
240 Certification is a TEA-approved online program. Each candidate gets a dedicated Program Advisor, 240 Tutoring test prep for the whole program, and access to 240 Jobs.
Strengths
- First or tied for first on all six TEA measures
- Highest content exam pass rate (97%; average 93%)
- 4 candidates per field supervisor (average 17)
- Test prep included for the whole program, worth up to $360
- $125 off the first payment for military families
Keep in mind
- Monthly payments start at enrollment; there's no pay-after-you're-hired option
- Not the lowest price if you pay in full
- Fewer Google reviews (61) than larger programs
Best for the lowest standard priceECAP
What reviewers praiseSupportive staff and internship mentors who are former principals.
68 Google reviews- Content pass
- 95%
- PPR pass
- 95%
- Per supervisor
- 16
- Price
- $4,490
ECAP (Education Career Alternatives Program) includes 150 hours of training, test prep and job-search help, plus letters to districts that support early hiring. Internship payments are due only while you're employed as a teacher.
Strengths
- Second-highest content exam pass rate (95%)
- Lowest standard price ($4,490)
- Internship payments due only while you're employed
Keep in mind
- Lowest principal survey score of the five (2.29)
- Training payments begin before you're hired
- Lowest review rating of the five (4.0 on Google)
Best for paying after you're hiredTeachworthy
What reviewers praiseSupportive advisors and field supervisors from admission to certification, plus the Capturing Kids' Hearts training.
167 Google reviews- Content pass
- 94%
- PPR pass
- 96%
- Per supervisor
- 12
- Price
- $4,500
Teachworthy, formerly ACT San Antonio, is a fully online program with more than 50 certification areas. It includes PACT test prep resources, resume review, mock interviews and live Capturing Kids' Hearts training.
Strengths
- Tied for the highest principal survey score (2.37)
- Second-highest new-teacher survey score (2.51)
- 12 candidates per supervisor (average 17)
- Only $495 due before you're hired
Keep in mind
- Lowest student-outcome score of the five (72.5%; average 76.1%)
Best if you may move to another stateiTeach
What reviewers praiseSelf-paced coursework that fits around a full-time job, and staff who reply within a day or two.
1,113 Trustpilot reviews, all states- Content pass
- 91%
- PPR pass
- 96%
- Per supervisor
- 21
- Price
- $4,949+
iTeach is a long-running online program that also operates in other states. Its fee includes a 90-day test prep voucher from Passage Preparation and a Teaching Channel subscription.
Strengths
- $99/month while you're in coursework
- $500 discount on the monthly payment plan
- Operates in several states
Keep in mind
- 91% content exam pass rate, just above the 90% state average
- 21 candidates per supervisor (average 17)
- Highest standard price of the five ($5,449)
- Test prep voucher lasts 90 days
Best for choosing the largest ACP in TexasTeachers of Tomorrow
What reviewers praisePatient, knowledgeable program advisors who explain each step, especially during enrollment.
2,796 Google reviews- Content pass
- 86%
- PPR pass
- 94%
- Per supervisor
- 34
- Price
- $5,400
Historically the largest ACP in Texas, listed in TEA's records as A+ Texas Teachers. It offers more than 100 hours of online training and exam prep resources.
Strengths
- Periodic discounts for paying upfront
- "Pay when you're hired" option
- Most reviews of the five (2,796 on Google)
Keep in mind
- Lowest content exam pass rate of the five (86%), below the 90% state average
- 34 candidates per supervisor, twice the average of 17
Which program fits you
| If you want… | Consider |
|---|---|
| The highest content exam pass rate and the most coaching | 240 Certification |
| A program aligned with Capturing Kids' Hearts | Teachworthy |
| The lowest standard price | ECAP |
| The largest ACP in Texas | Teachers of Tomorrow |
| A program that also operates in other states | iTeach |
| A public, regional program | Your regional service center |
Frequently asked questions
Which Texas certification programs have the highest content exam pass rates?
In TEA's 2025 data, 240 Certification had the highest content exam pass rate of the five most popular Texas ACPs at 97%, followed by ECAP (95%), Teachworthy (94%), iTeach (91%) and Teachers of Tomorrow (86%). The state average was 90%. See the full comparison.
Which Texas certification programs include free test prep?
240 Certification includes 240 Tutoring test prep for the whole program, a value of up to $360. iTeach includes a 90-day Passage Preparation voucher. ECAP includes test prep in its 150 training hours. Teachworthy includes PACT test prep resources. Teachers of Tomorrow includes exam prep resources and a free trial of a separate test prep service. About TExES exams.
Which Texas certification programs are free to apply?
All five programs compared here are free to apply: 240 Certification, ECAP, Teachworthy, iTeach and Teachers of Tomorrow. Fees start after you're accepted. Region 4's Inspire Texas charges a $100 application fee.
Which Texas certification programs let you pay after you're hired?
Teachworthy collects $495 before you're hired and the rest after. Teachers of Tomorrow offers a pay-when-you're-hired option. ECAP's internship payments apply only while you're employed, though its training fee starts earlier. iTeach charges $99 a month during coursework and the balance during your residency. 240 Certification uses monthly payments from enrollment and does not offer deferred payment.
Which Texas certification programs have the fewest candidates per field supervisor?
In TEA's 2025 data, 240 Certification had 4 candidates per field supervisor, followed by Teachworthy (12), ECAP (16), iTeach (21) and Teachers of Tomorrow (34).
How much do alternative certification programs cost in Texas?
Among the five most popular Texas ACPs, program fees run from $4,490 to $5,449, depending on the program and how you pay. State certification and exam fees are extra. See a full cost breakdown.
Which Texas certification programs offer a paid internship?
All five programs compared here offer a paid teaching internship, where you are the teacher of record and earn a teacher's salary from your district. Some programs also offer unpaid clinical teaching instead.
What happens if I don't pass my content exam?
You can't earn your standard certificate until you pass, and Texas limits each certification exam to five attempts. That's why a program's content exam pass rate is the most important number to compare.
How can I check a program's quality myself?
Use TEA's Educator Preparation Data Dashboard and consumer information reports. They show every approved program's accreditation status, pass rates and survey results. Teachers of Tomorrow appears there as A+ Texas Teachers. Open the TEA dashboard.
About the author
Scott Rozell is the founder of 240 Tutoring and 240 Certification. He taught middle school in Texas before founding 240 Tutoring in 2010 to help teachers pass their certification exams. Meet the 240 Certification team.
Sources, all checked November 2, 2026: TEA Educator Preparation Data Dashboard · TEA consumer information about educator preparation programs · 240 Certification pricing · ECAP pricing · Teachworthy pricing · iTeach Texas program fees · Teachers of Tomorrow pricing · Region 4 Inspire Texas fees · 240 Certification Google reviews · Other programs' review pages are linked in the ratings table. Program names and logos belong to their owners and are used only to identify each program.