Educator Resources
The following resources are intended to assist prospective educators become certified in the state of Texas. Additionally, there are resources that will assist certified educators with various issues or areas of concern, such as certification renewal, TEAL access, and much more.
Certification
Certification information for Texas teachers and those seeking Texas certification:
| Hyperlinked Resource | Quick Summary |
|---|---|
| ECOS (Educator Certification Online System) and TEAL (Texas Education Agency Login) | The Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) is the online site for educators to access their certification account to verify or apply for certification. The Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL) is a secure gateway where access must be set up before an educator can access their certification account. |
| ESC Contacts for TEAL Assistance | Educators who need assistance setting up a TEA Login (TEAL) account to access the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) can now contact a representative at their region's Education Service Center (ESC). |
|
Becoming a... |
There are five requirements to become a certified teacher. You must first be employed by a school district before being eligible to apply for an Educational Aide certificate. Contact your employing school district for application instructions. |
| Becoming a Certified Texas Educator Through an Alternative Certification Program | Alternative certification programs (ACP’s) offer a nontraditional route to certification that may allow you to teach while completing the requirements. |
| Approved EPP (Educator Preparation Programs) in Texas | ACP's offer intensive classroom-focused training. Using the link provided, click on the Alternative selection box found at the top right corner to select only those EPPs with an alternative certification program. A FAQ is available for any additional questions you may have. |
| Financial Resources for Teacher Training | There are various programs and grants are designed to help you become a teacher. |
| Military Fee Exemptions | TEA will waive certain fees for eligible military service members, military veterans, and military spouses. |
| Out-of-State Certified Educators | You must apply for a review of credentials if you are seeking certification in Texas and you hold a standard certificate issued by another state or territory. |
| Renewing A Standard Certificate | If you hold a standard educator certificate you must renew it every five years. |
| Additional Certification by Exam Information | If you hold a valid Texas classroom teaching certificate and a bachelor's degree you may add classroom certification areas by completing the appropriate examination. |
| Becoming a Texas Principal or Superintendent | There are five requirements to obtain a Principal certificate. There are four requirements to obtain a Superintendent certificate. |
| Student Services Certificates | To become a school counselor, school librarian, educational diagnostician, or reading specialist, you must complete an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP). |
| Revalidating a Lifetime Certificate | The Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) is the current test used to revalidate lifetime certificates. You may also choose to take a Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) content test to revalidate a provisional or professional certificate. |
| Educator Testing | The office of Educator Testing is responsible for the overall management and monitoring of the statewide educator certification testing contract as well as the development and implementation of testing rules. This page provides testing information related to obtaining a Texas educator certificate. |
| Name Change | There are instructions available to submit a change or correction of name or date of birth at the provided link. |
| Virtual Certificate Information | The virtual certificate maintained on the TEA website is the official record of an educator's certification. |
| The Science of Teaching Reading (STR) Exam | House Bill 3, passed during the 86th Texas Legislature, established the requirement that all teacher candidates who teach students in grades Pre-K-6 demonstrate proficiency in the science of teaching reading on a new, standalone certification exam. This requirement took effect on January 1, 2021. |
| Educator Employment Matters FAQ (re: COVID absences) |
SY 20-21 Employment Matters Guidance (PDF) July 29 2021 |
Teacher Incentive Allotment
Information about the Teacher Incentive Allotment for Texas Educators.
| Hyperlinked Resource | Quick Summary |
|---|---|
| Teacher Incentive Allotment | The Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) was created by the Texas Legislature as part of House Bill 3 to provide a realistic pathway for top teachers to earn six-figure salaries and to help attract and retain highly effective teachers at traditionally hard-to-staff schools. This is the official webpage for TIA. |
| General Information and Definitions for TIA | This website will define TIA, explain the designations, and detail pathways to the receipt of TIA Allotment Funding. |
| National Board Certification | National Board Certification is a voluntary advanced professional certification for PreK–12 educators that identifies teaching expertise through a performance-based, peer-reviewed assessment. |