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How to become a certified teacher in Texas. Bachelor's degree required. Primary exam: TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards) Content Exam. Government fees: $400–$550. Substitute requirements: High school diploma or equivalent (varies by district; some require 60 college hours or bachelor's degree). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Teacher / Substitute Teacher · Texas
Everything you need to become a certified teacher or substitute teacher in Texas. Education, exams, fees, and application steps — verified against Texas Education Agency (TEA) / State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).
Last verified: 2026-03-21
Most information on this page has been verified.
92% of data points are verified against official sources. 2 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Degree Required
Bachelor's degree
Primary Exam
TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards) Content Exam
Total Gov Fees
$400–$550
Initial Cert
5 years
| Minimum Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree |
| Teacher Prep Program | Required |
| Student Teaching | Required |
| Background Check | Required |
| Fingerprinting | Required |
| GPA Requirement | 2.5 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. |
content knowledge
Passing score: Varies by subject area (typically 240 on a 100–300 scale)
Content knowledge exam specific to the certification area. Must be passed before the standard certificate is issued.
pedagogy
Passing score: 240
Covers pedagogy, professional responsibilities, and instructional strategies for all grade levels.
content knowledge
Passing score: 240
Required for Early Childhood through Grade 6, and All-Level Special Education certification areas.
Texas issues a Standard Certificate upon completion of all requirements. This is the primary teaching certificate in Texas and does not expire as long as continuing education requirements are met.
Issued to candidates enrolled in an approved educator preparation program who are completing their clinical teaching requirement.
Issued to out-of-state educators or those who have completed all requirements except the state exams.
Minimum Education
High school diploma or equivalent (varies by district; some require 60 college hours or bachelor's degree)
Certificate Required
No separate certificate
Background Check
Required
Validity
Determined by employing district
Texas does not require a state-issued substitute teaching permit. School districts set their own requirements for substitute teachers, which typically include at minimum a high school diploma, background check, and district-provided training. Many districts require 60+ college credit hours or a bachelor's degree for higher pay rates.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application FeeOne-time application fee for initial certification | $77 |
| Fingerprint FeeFingerprinting and national criminal history check through FAST (Fingerprint Application Submission Technology) | $49.50 |
| Exam Fees (Total)TExES content exam ($116), PPR ($116), and STR ($116 if applicable) | $232–$348 |
| Initial CertificateIncluded in the application fee | $77 |
| Renewal FeeFee per renewal cycle (class assignment only) | $20 |
| Total Government FeesIncludes application, fingerprinting, and all required exams | $400–$550 |
Obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Enroll in and complete a TEA-approved educator preparation program, which includes coursework, field experience, and student teaching.
Texas has over 150 approved EPPs, including university-based and alternative certification programs.
Pass the TExES content area exam, PPR, and STR (if applicable) for your certification area.
Fee: $232–$348
Submit fingerprints through the FAST system for a national criminal background check.
Fee: $49.50
Submit your certification application through the TEA Login (TEAL) system and pay the application fee.
Fee: $77
Upon approval, receive your Standard Teaching Certificate.
Texas has one of the largest alternative certification systems in the country, with over 150 approved educator preparation programs. Many are entirely online. Alt cert candidates typically complete coursework, pass TExES exams, and teach under an Intern Certificate while completing clinical requirements. Programs range from a few months to two years.
Available Programs:
CE Required
Yes
Hours per Cycle
150
Renewal Cycle
5 years
Texas requires 150 continuing professional education (CPE) hours every 5 years for Standard Certificate renewal. At least 80% of CPE hours must be directly related to the certificate holder's assignment. CPE can include college coursework, workshops, conferences, and online learning.
Reciprocity Type
Case-by-case with exam requirements
Interstate Agreement
NASDTEC Interstate Agreement
Texas reviews out-of-state applicants individually. Candidates with a valid out-of-state certificate may receive a One-Year Certificate while completing Texas-specific requirements, including passing TExES exams.
Additional requirements: Must pass applicable TExES content and PPR exams. Out-of-state applicants with 3+ years of experience may be eligible for a Probationary Certificate.
Unique to Texas: Texas has the largest alternative certification market in the U.S., with over 150 approved educator preparation programs, many of which are entirely online. The state's Standard Certificate does not technically expire, but educators must complete 150 CPE hours every 5 years. Texas also uniquely does not require a state-level substitute teaching certificate, leaving all substitute requirements to individual school districts.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Texas.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#28 of 51
Cost
#23 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (SOC 25-2021)
Entry Level
$57,830
25th percentile
Median
$61,380
-2% vs. national avg ($62,340)Experienced
$64,420
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
124,430 employed in this state
Note: BLS category covers elementary school teachers only. Secondary, special education, and other teaching specializations have separate SOC codes with different wage data.
Source: BLS OEWS – Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
0%
Below AverageNew Jobs
-500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
103,200
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 216–234 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides for Praxis Core and subject-specific teacher exams.
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Texas requires completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program to earn your teaching certificate. Explore approved programs and alternative certification routes.
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