How to Become a Teacher in Texas

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Choose What You Want to Teach

First you should think about what kind of teacher you want to become. Do you have a passion for a content area, such as science or math? If so, you can consider becoming a high school or middle school teacher. If you prefer working on multiple fundamental skills with younger children, you can consider a career as an elementary school teacher. If you have a desire to work with children with special needs, you can consider getting certificated in special education. The choice is entirely yours and should be one that is made with great thought.

The Texas Education Agency has information about school districts, teachers, and students in the state, which could help you make an informed decision.

Earn a Bachelor's in Education to Meet the Requirements for a Teaching Certificate in Texas

In order to become a certified teacher in Texas, you must at a minimum possess a bachelor's in education. You will also need to successfully complete an approved educator preparation program.

Complete a Teacher Preparation Program

Educator preparation programs are generally structured around the integration of college coursework and fieldwork. Curriculum for the college courses usually explore subject-based pedagogical theories, teaching methods, differentiated instructional strategies and assessments, classroom management, and integration of technology. Fieldwork is based on application. Depending on your institution, fieldwork is generally a combination of classroom observations and student teaching or interning. A student teaching experience requires that pre-service teachers work in real classrooms for a set amount of time under the supervision of a certificated teacher. During your time as a student teacher, you will work closely with a mentor teacher to prepare and implement lessons based on the needs of your diverse student population. Often times, your mentor and/or a university supervisor will conduct classroom visitations in order to provide you with feedback.

Educator preparation programs are typically blended with bachelor's degree programs. In other words, one can complete an educator preparation program and bachelor's degree simultaneously. These joint programs are ideal for individuals who have decided from early on that they want to become a teacher.

However, if you already have a bachelor's degree, you have the option to complete a post-baccalaureate or alternative teacher preparation program. A counselor or advisor at the institution of your choice can help make you aware of the available.

Teacher preparation programs can be completed online or on a campus. It is important to note that the teacher preparation program must be approved and accredited.

Alternative Teacher Certification in Texas

There are alternative, or non-traditional, ways to become a certified teacher in Texas.

Alternative Certification Programs (ACP) provide intensive classroom training to individuals who desire to switch careers into teaching. These programs can usually be completed in one year. During that one year, participants may be able to teach as a paid intern with supervision and mentoring. Other programs offer a non-paid student teaching experience in place of a paid internship.

Alternative certification programs offer a nontraditional route to certification. These programs often allow candidates to teach while completing the requirements of the program. These programs can be located in universities, online, in school districts, education service centers, community colleges, or other private entities. A list of approved program in Texas is made available by the regional education service center.

Pass the Exams Required for Teacher Certification in Texas

For initial teacher certification in Texas, all candidates must pass the required exams.

THEA

The Basic Skills Test requirement can fulfilled by taking the THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment) exam. This exam is often required for entry into some educator preparation programs.

TexES and ExCET

The Subject Area Competence requirements can be fulfilled by taking the TExES (Texas Exam for Educator Standards) and the ExCET (Exam for Certification of Educators in Texas). The subject area competence test should be taken in the area you wish to teach.

PPR

The PPR (Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities) exam is a professional knowledge and responsibilities test.

Pre-Admission Content Tests (PACT)

If you already have a bachelor's degree and are seeking entrance into an educator preparation program in Texas, you can take the Pre-Admission Content Tests (PACT). This test is applicable for admission into the following alternative certification programs: (1) university alternative certification programs, or (2) university post-baccalaureate programs (without content courses).

FIND SCHOOLS

Apply for your Texas Teacher Certification

Application Requirements

In order to apply for initial certification in Texas, you will need to provide the following:

Completed application form
Documentation to support the application form (official college transcripts that verify the completion of at least a Bachelor's Degree)
Completion of an approved educator preparation program
Non-refundable application fee
Copies of any teaching certificates you have, if applicable
Submit fingerprinting and background clearance

Contact Information

Texas Education Agency
1701 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 463-9734

Find a Teaching Job in Texas

At last, you will be prepared to affect positive change in the lives of students in Texas! Your classroom awaits you!

Public School Teaching Jobs in Texas

The state Department of Education creates and maintains a database of available teaching jobs through the Texas Education Agency. Applicants may browse the listings by subject or by geographical region. The posting also links to individual school district web pages for more information. Currently Texas is experiencing teacher shortages in the areas of bilingual education, science, special education, math, and Spanish. Teachers with these qualifications may be given preference over other candidates.

Professional Associations for Teachers

Once hired, teachers may join a professional association for networking, professional development, and collegial support. The state of Texas does not have a labor union for teachers.

Retirement Benefits for Teachers

At the retirement stage, teachers may begin drawing funds from their mandatory pension. The pension is managed through the eTeacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS). Teachers receive this pension for life, though the actual amount may vary from person to person as each district has a different contribution amount.

Private School Teaching Jobs in Texas

Many candidates prefer to work in the private sector. Texas is home to almost 2,000 private schools. Over 50% of the private schools have a religious affiliation, and some are gender segregated. Most private schools boast their small class sizes and safe learning communities. Small class sizes are often preferable as meeting the needs of all students becomes more feasible.

Teacher Shortage in Texas by Subjects or Discipline (2021-2022)

The following list of teacher shortage areas in Texas has been obtained from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education, Teacher Shortage Area (TSA) list for the 2021-2022 school year:

ESOL, Bilingual Education PreK-12
Career and Technical Education 7-12
Special Education PreK-12
Mathematics 7-12
Career and Technical Education, Computer Science PreK-12

Number of Public and Private School Teachers By Grade

The following Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) table highlights the number of teachers in Texas in both private and public schools, by grade level, as of May 2021:

Grade Level	Number of Teachers
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	33,440
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	135,560
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	65,830
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	102,360
Special Education Teachers, Preschool	100
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	16,870
Special Education Teachers, Middle School	8,090
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	12,620

Continue Your Education and Professional Development

Politicians, community leaders, parents, and other stakeholders all share the responsibility to ensure that their children's teachers engage in high-quality and ongoing professional development. Teachers who undertake relevant and ongoing professional development have students with higher achievement levels. Additionally, teachers that improve their professional practice find it easier to achieve salary and career goals. Unlike the professional developments of years ago, today's opportunities are diverse and span offerings from online webinars, courses, and conventions to article research and curriculum development. Current offerings meet teachers' needs to understand how to support diverse populations in one classroom environment.

Professional Development in Texas

The state Department of Education in Texas has a mandate to ensure all teachers meet the state standards for excellence by endorsing ongoing professional development. Texas teachers much renew their teaching license every five years. Part of this process includes earning a minimum number of Continuing Professional Development (CPE) hours through an approved CPE provider. The Department of Education makes available an approved list of CPE providers who are accredited by the Texas Education Agency. Teachers may download this list for their own records.

Earn a Master's in Teaching or Education and Meet CPE Requirements for Certificate Renewal

While a master's in education or teaching isn't required for teaching in Texas, earning an advanced degree is a great way to enhance the skills you bring to the classroom, increase your marketability and your paycheck, and satisfy the CPE requirements for your five-year teaching certificate.

Once you've earned a Standard Teaching Certificate through the Texas Education Agency, you'll need to maintain it by completing at least 150 CPE hours every five years.

There are many ways you can earn CPE hours to meet this requirement, including attending workshops, conferences, and in-service and staff development activities; serving as a mentor to another teacher; developing, teaching, or presenting a CPE activity; or completing undergraduate or graduate courses through an accredited college or university. Learn more from the Texas Education Agency about the ways you can meet the 150-hour CPE requirement for certificate renewal.

Earn your master's degree in the subject you're certified to teach, and you'll not only meet the 150-hour CPE requirement for one renewal period, you'll also meet the TEA's requirement of completing at least 80% of your CPE activities in your certificate area.

Since one three-credit course (either undergraduate or graduate) equals 45 CPE hours, you'll satisfy the CPE requirements for renewal by completing just four courses toward your master's degree.

A Master's in Education or Teaching Could Be Worth An Extra $1,400 Per Year

But there's more-a master's degree is a great way to increase your earning potential as a Texas educator. According to the Texas Association of School Boards, as of the 2022-2023 school year, nearly 78% of school districts in Texas pay higher salaries to teachers with master's degrees - usually as an annual stipend. The minimum salary an entry level teacher can earn with a bachelors degree is $60,000 and for a general master's degree in the Fort Worth area one can expect a $1,400 stipend.