Out-of-State Certifications

Welcome to Texas!

Whether you are a certified educator from another state or country, the resources below will guide you through the steps to becoming certified in Texas.

The credentials review process is designed for individuals who already hold full educator certification issued by a state department of education in another U.S. state or a ministry of education in another country.  If this applies to you, you are ready to take the important first step described below toward becoming certified in Texas.

Important First Step: Create an ECOS Account

Before you can apply for a review of credentials in Texas, you must first create an account in the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) through the Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL) portal. This account is essential for submitting your application, uploading required documents, and tracking your certification status.
To get started:
     1. Click on "ECOS for Educators" in the “Popular Applications” banner at the top of this page.
     2. Follow the instructions to create a TEAL account and gain access to ECOS.

Use a personal email address when creating your account. Avoid using a work or school email address, as these may change if you switch jobs or institutions.  A personal email ensures you maintain uninterrupted access to your certification information.

Make sure the name you use matches exactly with your official identification documents to avoid delays.

Document Upload Guidelines: Before uploading any documents to your ECOS account, please ensure the following:

• Save your document in either .jpg or .pdf format.
• Do not include any symbols or special characters (e.g., #, %, &, *)

For additional instructions, scroll to the bottom of the page in the "My Documents" tab in your ECOS account. You may also wish to view the frequently asked questions related to uploading documents in ECOS.

Important Note: This information is designed to provide applicants with a quick overview of the certification process, along with a link to a detailed checklist for further guidance.  We strongly encourage you to read the entire overview before beginning your application.  If you have any questions or need clarification at any point during the process, please do not hesitate to contact Educator Preparation and Certification directly.  You can reach a certification specialist by calling 512-936-8400 and selecting option 2.  Specialists are available to assist you Monday through Friday, from 8:00AM to 4:30PM Central Time.  Alternatively, you may submit a help desk ticket for support.

Select the appropriate box below to learn more about the Texas certification process for individuals already fully certified to teach in another state or country.