English Language Proficiency

Educators who apply for certification after October 22, 2017, 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, not including US Territories.
You must contact your institution or servicer to request official transcripts. Official transcripts can be sent directly from your institution or servicer via email to OSC75@tea.texas.gov. We will not accept emailed transcripts from you. If you are not able to request transcripts electronically and have an official sealed transcript in your possession, this can be mailed to:

Texas Education Agency
Division of Educator Certification
1701 N. Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701

B. Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).  
No additional submission is needed. We will verify this by reviewing your original course-by-course evaluation by a recognized foreign evaluation service.

C. Verification of minimum scaled scores 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).  
*If you are enrolling in an educator preparation program, please do not use this entity code. Contact your program for the correct code.

• Speaking 24
• Listening 22
• Reading 22
• Writing 21

Effective October 22, 2017, 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-C)].