English Language Proficiency

Effective January 7, 2025, English language proficiency requirements have been amended, including new score requirements for the Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet Based Test (TOEFL-iBT) [TAC §230.11(b)(5)(A-D)].

Educators who apply for certification are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by fulfilling one of the following requirements: 

A. Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or one of its territories.
You must contact your institution or servicer to request official transcripts. Official transcripts must be sent directly from your institution or servicer via email to osc75@tea.texas.gov. 
*Transcripts from the applicant are not accepted for the credentials review.

B. Verification of a minimum scaled score that falls within the High-Intermediate level in each section on the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL-iBT).
To have scores submitted directly to TEA, use the entity code 8225 (State Board for Educator Certification).  Applicants for a review of credentials may upload the official PDF score report to their Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) educator account via the “My Documents” tab.
*High-Intermediate level scores for each section:
      Reading 18-23
      Listening 17-21
      Speaking 20-24
      Writing 17-23
*If you are enrolling in an educator preparation program (EPP), please do not use this entity code. Contact your program for the correct code to use.

C. An undergraduate or graduate degree that was earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States listed in the figure provided below.
Figure: 19 TAC §230.11(b)(5)(C) 
No additional submission is needed. Upon review of the original course-by-course evaluation by a recognized foreign evaluation service the country in which the degree was earned will be verified.

D. A standard certificate issued by the department of education in another state where examinations for the certificate were taken and passed. 
Applicants must submit official test score reports along with the out-of-state standard certificate for the credentials review. EPP candidates must submit official score reports to the program. 
*Candidates for certification must still complete all requirements through an approved educator preparation program or must successfully complete all requirements of the out-of-country credentials review process.