Certification Assignment Flexibility

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Important Notes

• These flexibilities are not applicable for special education, bilingual, ESL, or Prekindergarten/PreK4 assignments due to federal requirements and state statutes.
• If certification flexibility options are applied to educators actively enrolled in an educator preparation program (EPP), these options do not supersede EPP requirements found in the Texas Administrative Code. EPP candidates must complete certification exam and preparation program requirements for issuance of the aligned SBEC certificate.

Opportunity

Possible Uses and Considerations

Districts can consider DOI flexibilities when there are vacancies in hard-to-fill assignments, or when urgent campus needs can be best met by having a certified educator teach outside their area of certification. Other considerations include the following:

• Flexibilities must be documented in their locally created and approved DOI plans.
• Districts can also complete a process to revise their DOI plan and establish increased flexibility to meet future needs.
• Districts should work with their legal counsel and in collaboration with their local school board regarding the application and revision process, including applicability of TEC 21.0032, which outlines specific requirements related to the hiring of uncertified teachers within the district’s DOI plan.
• New restrictions on DOI plans regarding certification will be effective starting in the 2026-2027 school year.  Additional information on these requirements can be found in the August 21, 2025 To The Administrator Addressed Correspondence or TEC §21.003 and TEC §21.0032.

Districts can consider Teacher Certification Waivers when a DOI plan is not in place and/or when the DOI plan does not include the necessary flexibility to meet the situational needs of a campus. Other considerations include the following:

• The educator qualifications to teach must be vetted and approved by the board of trustees and commissioner of education (COE has 30 days to review).
• This waiver could be utilized for an EPP candidate who has not yet finished program requirements to qualify for issuance of an SBEC certificate.
• The 25-26 Waivers Guidebook and Waiver Process FAQ’s documents are available online.

Districts can consider Emergency Permits for individuals admitted into an EPP, but not yet eligible for issuance of an SBEC certificate or for certified teachers that have not passed required exams to add a new classroom certificate area to their official record of certification. Other considerations include the following:

• EPP candidates placed on emergency permits use one of three years allowed to teach before obtaining a standard certificate. Districts should engage in conversation with the EPP prior to placing an EPP candidate on an emergency permit.
• Emergency permits are valid for one school year only and not renewable (exceptions: JROTC, Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments).
• Requires online application and $57 fee paid by the employing district.
• Emergency permits can be requested for special education, bilingual, ESL, and prekindergarten/PreK4 assignments.
• An Emergency Permits Guide is available online.

Districts can consider a School District Teaching Permit (SDTP) in very specific situations when the DOI plan and Teacher Certification Waivers are not viable options and a more long-term, district-specific solution is needed. Other considerations include the following:

• SDTPs are district-specific and valid for life (unless revoked for cause by the district) and cannot be issued to certified educators.
• There are three types of SDTPs, Noncore Academic CTE, Other Than Noncore Academic CTE, and Paraprofessional, each with specific requirements for qualification and approval.  Additional information on guidelines and requirements for issuance of the new school district teaching permit for paraprofessionals can be found on the School District Teaching Permits webpage.

Districts can consider a School District Teaching Permit (SDTP) in very specific situations when the DOI plan and Teacher Certification Waivers are not viable options and a more long-term, district-specific solution is needed. Other considerations include the following:

• SDTPs are district-specific and valid for life (unless revoked for cause by the district) and cannot be issued to certified educators.
• There are three types of SDTPs, Noncore Academic CTE, Other Than Noncore Academic CTE, and Paraprofessional, each with specific requirements for qualification and approval.  Additional information on guidelines and requirements for issuance of the new school district teaching permit for paraprofessionals can be found on the School District Teaching Permits webpage.