How to Become a Teacher in Texas: Tests, Fees and Routes

By the Transforming Education editorial team. Every fact on this page was checked against the source linked beside it on November 7, 2026.

No degree yet: the traditional route

For high school students, college students and anyone without a bachelor's degree. You earn the degree and the teacher preparation in one program.

University-based educator preparation program

Candidates enroll in a TEA-approved university program that combines degree or post-baccalaureate coursework with certification training, and anyone without a bachelor's degree must use this route. Each program sets its own entry requirements, builds a certification plan with the candidate and must authorize registration for certification exams. After coursework, student teaching or an internship, and exams are complete, the program recommends the candidate and TEA issues a standard certificate after a criminal background check.

1. Choose the grade levels and subjects you want to teach
2. Apply to a TEA-approved university program and meet its screening criteria
3. Complete coursework and student teaching or an internship
4. Pass the certification exams your program authorizes
5. Complete fingerprinting for the national criminal background check
6. Apply online for the standard certificate after your program recommends you

Source: tea.texas.gov

Bachelor's in another field: the alternative route

For people who already hold a bachelor's degree in a subject other than education.

Alternative certification program (ACP)

Candidates who already hold a bachelor's degree can enroll in a TEA-approved alternative certification program run by a university, school district, education service center, community college or private entity. Many programs can be finished in about one year, often while working as a paid intern on an intern or probationary certificate that is valid for one calendar year, with a certified mentor. Candidates may not teach more than three school years in Texas public schools on temporary credentials before earning a standard certificate.

1. Choose the grade levels and subjects you want to teach
2. Apply to a program on TEA's approved list and meet its screening criteria
3. Build a certification plan with program staff
4. Get hired for a teaching position that matches your target certificate
5. Apply for an intern or probationary certificate, pay fees and pass a background check
6. Finish training, the internship and all required exams
7. Apply for the standard certificate once your program recommends you

Source: tea.texas.gov

Changing careers into teaching in Texas

If you already have a bachelor's degree and some years in another job, start with the alternative route described above. It is built for people who did not study education. The 12 programs below are on the state's approved list, and 3 of them say their coursework is online.

For pay context, the median annual wage for high school teachers in Texas was $63,590 in May 2025, according to the BLS OEWS state estimates. If your background matches a subject on the state's shortage list, that list is further down this page.

State-approved alternative certification programs

Programs shown are a selection from the state's approved list, checked November 7, 2026. "Online" reflects what the program or the state says about its coursework; teaching practice is always in a real school. The full, current list is on the agency's approved-program page.

Licensed in another state

For teachers who hold a license from another state and want to teach in Texas.

Review of Credentials for out-of-state certified educators

Texas has no reciprocity agreement, so educators with full certification from another state or country apply for a review of credentials, and the out-of-state certificate must be valid and active when the complete application is received. TEA compares the credential with Texas standards, and in many cases applicants are exempt from some or all Texas exams based on comparable certification, experience and exams taken elsewhere. The results letter explains the next steps, including which certificate application to submit.

1. Create a TEAL account and an ECOS educator profile
2. Submit the Review of Credentials application and fee
3. Upload a copy of your out-of-state standard certificate
4. Have your official transcript sent electronically to TEA
5. Upload score reports and verification of experience for possible exam exemptions
6. Follow the next steps in your results letter

Source: tea.texas.gov

Required tests, codes and qualifying scores

Texas uses TExES, Science of Teaching Reading and edTPA for teacher licensure. The table lists the core tests by license area, with the qualifying score and fee exactly as the source publishes them. Which tests you take depends on the license area you are seeking, so check the full list for your subject before you register.

Scores and fees change. Confirm both on the testing company's page before you register.

Fees, background check and license validity

Background check

All certification applicants complete a fingerprint-based national criminal background check, started in ECOS when TEA has no prior fingerprint results on file. In-state applicants pay in ECOS, schedule with IdentoGO and pay a scanning fee at the appointment; out-of-state applicants can use digital fingerprinting or mailed fingerprint cards. Results from other states or other purposes are not shared with TEA. Fee: $42 in ECOS plus $10 to IdentoGO at the appointment. Source

Your first license

License: Standard Certificate. It is valid for 5 years. Candidates who teach while completing an alternative or post-baccalaureate program first hold an intern or probationary certificate valid for one calendar year. Source

Renewal

Texas standard certificates are valid for five years and are renewed online through ECOS. Classroom teachers complete 150 hours of continuing professional education in each five-year period and pay the renewal fee, and a late renewal fee is added after expiration. Requirement: 150 CPE hours every 5 years. Source

Teacher pay in Texas

Elementary teachers in Texas earned a median of $62,760 a year in May 2025, $1,210 below the national median of $63,970. Half of teachers in each occupation earn more than the median and half earn less. What you earn in a given district depends on its salary schedule, your experience and any graduate credits.

Annual wages, cross-industry estimates, from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 state tables, retrieved through the BLS Public Data API on November 7, 2026. Special education teachers are shown separately; our guide to the online master's in special education covers the add-on and initial-license options.

Teacher shortage areas, 2026-27

Texas reported these subject areas to the US Department of Education as teacher shortage areas for the 2026-27 school year.

• Career and Technical Education (statewide)
• Computer Science: Computer Science (statewide)
• English as a Second Language: Bilingual Education (statewide)
• Special Education (statewide)

Source: US Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas report, retrieved November 7, 2026.