Out-of-State Certified Educators
Individuals who hold a standard certificate to teach in another state or territory, seeking certification in Texas, must first apply for a review of credentials.A standard certificate is defined in մ§230.111().Texas does not have reciprocity with any state.
The detailed checklist below can be used to guide you through the entire process.
Application Information
- Create a online using Google Chrome.
- Visit theinstructionspage if you need additional assistance.
- Complete anapplicationin your user account and pay the $164non-refundablefee.
- Submit copies of all standard certificates.See instructions below.
- Request official transcripts from all colleges where a degree was conferred. See instructions in detailed checklist.
- Submit proof of oral English language proficiency if your degree was earned outside the United States, including territories of the United States.
- Submit proof of oral English language proficiency if your degree was earned outside the United States, including territories of the United States.
View Test Exemption Information
Frequently Asked Questions
If you hold a standard, renewable certificate issued by another state, you must apply for a review of credentials if you are seeking certification in Texas.(If you hold a stand-alone administrative or student service certificate with no classroom teaching certificate, please see question #2.) The certificate does not need to be currently valid, but must have been a standard level certificate at the time it was issued to you. A detailed checklist can be used to guide yourself through the entire process.
Individuals that do not hold a classroom teaching certificate and holds only an administrative or student services certificate must have 2 academic years of full-time, wage-earning experience in the role to be eligible for the review of credentials. The 2 years of experience will also be used for test exemption eligibility. Verification of accreditation is required also if service was earned in a private school or in any school outside of the United States.
Processing timeframes can vary. During our busy season (March-October) reviews and test exemption can take several weeks to process. The timeframe depends on the volume of applications and when documents have been received. Once the review of credentials or review for test exemption is completed, you will receive an email notification that a letter is available in the “My Documents” portion of your .
Reviews for test exemption cannot be finalized until the review of credentials has been completed. They are processed in the order of the documents receipt date. We cannot verify if documents have been received. However, we can verify what is in your account, which you are able to see under the “My Documents” portion of your .
If you do not receive a notification within 4 weeks, check the “My documents” tab in your. If a letter is not in your account, please refer to the detailed checklist to verify what documents we are lacking. If you have additional questions, please submit a ticket.
Even if you hold a classroom teaching certificate in Texas, you will need to complete the requirements of your out-of-state program and obtain your certificate in that state. Then, you would apply and submit the required documents for a review of credentials.
After meeting the renewal requirements, you will need to renew the standard certificate you currently have in Texas. Then, if you completed a content exam for the new area, apply for a review of credentials to evaluate the new teaching area. If you did not complete a content exam, you may consider the additional certification by exam route.
Without a standard teaching certificate, you are not eligible for a review of credentials. We do not review transcripts, degree level or completion of program coursework. You will be required to go through a Texas Educator Preparation Program.
Without a standard teaching certificate, you are not eligible for a review of credentials. You must either complete the process in your state or you would be required to go through a Texas Educator Preparation Program.
Please submit an out-of-state application.
Yes.
Important Note for Educators with Student Services or Administration Certification
If you hold a student services or administration certificate but do not hold a classroom teaching certificate, you will need to submit documentation of two years of acceptable school experience in the area of your certification. You must send acceptable documentation on an official verification of experience form, located on the Out-of-State Test Exemptions page.
TEA does not review credentials for areas such as school psychology, speech language pathology, nursing, social workers, and daycare certifications.
Important Note regarding Science of Teaching Reading Exam
TheScience of Teaching Reading (STR) Exam will be required ifsuccessfully reviewed for any of the following areas:
- Early Childhood: EC – Grade 3
- Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Early Childhood–Grade 6
- Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8
- English Language Arts and Reading with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8
- English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8
If you were required to take the Science of Teaching Reading in your state, please submit additional documentation for possible test exemption.
(512) 936-8400
Phone Options:
Option 2-Educator Certification
Option 3-Fingerprinting
Option 5-Educator Preparation Programs
Option 6-Investigations
Testing questions: (512) 463-9039
Please use the TEA to submit your questions. Allow several business days for staff to respond to your ticket.
