Resources > How Do I Become a Certified Teacher in Texas?

07.06.2020

How Do I Become a Certified Teacher in Texas?

Middle aged man smiling in front of classroom

Texas welcomes teachers. Texas teaching jobs should grow by more than 20 percent by 2026. If you dream of teaching, Texas is the place to be.

In order to get started on your new teaching career in Texas, you need to earn your Texas teacher certification, which allows you to pursue teaching jobs within the state. With an alternative teacher certification program like Teacher Builder, however, the process is easier than ever. Learn how to become a teacher in Texas.

Step 1: Earn a bachelor's degree.

The first step in becoming a teacher in Texas is to complete a 4-year bachelor's degree at a school whose accreditation is recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).

Your bachelor's program does not have to be an educator preparation program. Many aspiring teachers choose to earn their degree in the field that they wish to teach.

For example, if you wish to become a math teacher, you may earn a bachelor's degree in math, while an aspiring English teacher would pursue an English degree.

In order to be eligible for most alternative teacher certification programs, which is the next step toward earning Texas teacher certification, you must earn a GPA of at least 2.5.

Completion of a bachelor's degree with a 2.5 GPA automatically makes you eligible to apply to these programs, including Teacher Builder. Here at Teacher Builder, however, we are willing to evaluate applications from students with lower GPAs and make a decision on a case-by-case basis.

Once you complete your bachelor's degree, your dream career is just a few steps away, and Teacher Builder stands ready to make the process easier, and more flexible, than ever.

Step 2: Pass your content exam.

Once you earn your bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 2.5, you must take and pass a content exam. This exam, most often the PACT exam, evaluates your competence in your chosen field.

For example, as a math major you would take a math-focused content exam, while an English major would take an English-focused exam. The purpose of the tests is to ensure that you have the necessary knowledge in your chosen content area to teach it successfully.

A passing score is anything above 240. Once you take and pass this exam, you will be ready to apply to the alternative teacher certification program of your choice.

Step 3: Complete an alternative teacher certification program.

Students who complete an educator preparation program as part of their bachelor degree program do not need to complete an alternative teacher certification program.

However, if your bachelor's program did not include an education-specific preparatory program that met Texas' requirements (300 clock hours of coursework and training, including at least 30 hours of field experience), you can complete the state's requirements through a program like Teacher Builder.

There are a number of programs in Texas from which you can choose. In order to be eligible to get a teaching certificate in Texas, you must complete a program that meets the following criteria:

  • Approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA)
  • Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

This accreditation is not required but is recommended in order to identify a quality program.

  • Provide 300 clock hours of coursework
    • This coursework should include 80 hours of coursework and 30 hours of field work, at a minimum
  • Teach skills according to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Standards
  • Provide student teaching or internship opportunities as part of the program

Step 4: Pass your teaching certification exam.

Before you can apply for your Texas teacher certification, you must pass the appropriate teaching certification exam.

Usually, this is the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam. You may also need to complete one or more additional content exams.

If you choose an alternative teacher certification program like Teacher Builder, you should receive preparation for this exam as part of the program. Make sure you choose a program that prepares you for every step of the process, including the exam, so you can pursue your teaching career with confidence.

Step 5: Apply for your teaching certification.

Once you complete your bachelor's degree, preparatory program, and pass your certification exam, you can apply for your Texas teaching certification through TEA.

In order to receive your certification, you will need to submit a variety of paperwork and complete fingerprinting as part of a criminal background check.

This paperwork will include the following:

  • Your undergraduate transcripts
  • Verification that you completed the alternative teacher certification program
  • Passing scores for all necessary exams
  • Proof that you have passed the background check
  • Related fees and forms

Once you earn your teaching certificate, you may apply for an educator job within Texas and begin your dream teaching career.

Choose Teacher Builder today.

When you wonder how to get a teaching certificate in Texas, you should know that there are programs that can help you through every step of the way. Teacher Builder is the first online alternative teacher certification program in South Texas to be accredited by TEA.

Because our program is online, you can access our curriculum 24/7/365 and study at your own pace in any one of more than 25 areas of certification.

We put your dream career within reach by making it easy, efficient, and flexible to complete the state's requirements and get to teaching. Anywhere you can get an Internet connection, you can begin preparing to be an educator in Texas, even if you do not yet live in the state.

You can rely on Teacher Builder's qualified teachers, mentors, and supervisors to walk with you through every step of the process and through the first year of teaching. We assist you with coursework, exam prep, internships, your certification application, and more.

If you are ready to start teaching, contact Teacher Builder today and learn more about how our accredited, totally online program can help you make your dream a reality.