How To Become a Teacher in Texas

To become a teacher in Texas, aspiring educators first need a bachelor’s degree. They must complete an approved educator program and pass certification exams. They can then submit an application to the state. Some teachers complete an approved education program during their bachelor’s program. Others attend an alternative certificate program or post-bachelor’s program.

Prospective educators do not need state certification to start a teaching career in Texas private schools. For example, teachers at private religious schools may or may not be certified by Texas.

This page explains how to become a teacher in Texas. Read on to learn about certification steps and continuing education requirements. The last section features helpful resources for teachers.

Private schools can choose to hire teachers without Texas certification. Public schools can only hire state-certified teachers.

Certification length depends on whether teachers hold a bachelor’s degree. Exams and applications typically only take a few months to complete.

Texas welcomes out-of-state teachers, but they must apply for reciprocity. Educators have a one-year grace period to get formal certification from Texas.

Public school teachers in Texas earn a median $59,670 annually, according to Salary.com. Teachers’ experience level and school district influence pay.

Becoming a teacher in Texas public schools requires obtaining licensure. Teachers who plan to move from Texas may need to apply for a license in their new state. Licensure requirements vary by state. The information below pertains specifically to Texas teaching requirements.

Alternative certification programs (ACPs) typically enroll students who are changing careers or those with a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than education. The section below lists the steps to complete an ACP in Texas.

Educators with a license to teach in other states can obtain certification to teach in Texas without starting from scratch. The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification facilitates the interstate agreement, which allows teachers to more easily obtain licensure when they cross state lines. This teacher license reciprocity applies to 50 states and Canadian provinces.

Out-of-state teachers must apply with their TEA login (TEAL) and include copies of their state’s standard certificates and official transcripts. If approved, they receive a one-year certificate that lets them teach while they finalize their Texas certifications. Some teachers opt out of Texas’ certification tests based on their credentials.

Teachers must renew their standard certificates every five years. In order to renew, educators must show they have completed 150 hours of continuing professional education (CPE). Teachers with an administrative or student services certificate must complete 200 CPE hours. Teachers can renew online through the TEAL system.

CPE must relate to the teacher’s certification area. Of the 150 hours, teachers must dedicate a certain amount of hours to specific CPE areas. Some examples include digital teaching and educating diverse student populations. Acceptable CPE activities include workshops, institutes, and independent study. Taking graduate-level classes also counts toward CPE hours.

As of the 2020-21 school year, TEA submitted the following shortage areas to the U.S. Department of Education:

Schools and school districts can use these shortage areas to recruit and hire certified teachers in these subjects. The Texas Workforce Commission projects that demand for teachers in Texas will increase 11% from 2018-2028. Comparatively, demand for teachers is projected to grow 4% nationally.