TEXAS
STATE RESOURCES

• Obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. While the degree doesn't necessarily have to be in education, many districts prefer or require candidates to have an educational background focused on special education or specific learning disabilities. 

• Complete a state-approved educator preparation program. This can be done through: 

  • University teaching programs 

  • Alternative certification programs (ACPs) 

  • School districts 

  • Community colleges 

You can review these requirements here: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certification/initial-certification/becoming-a-classroom-teacher-in-texas 

Pass the required certification exams: 

• TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (EC-12) 

• TExES Special Education (EC-12) 

The Special Education EC-12 exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of five hours. A passing score of 240 or higher is required 

Learn more about the exams here: https://www.tx.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_Tests.html 

• Application and Background Check 

  • Submit a state application for certification after meeting all requirements. 

  • Complete fingerprinting as part of a national criminal background check. 

• Additional Requirements 

  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 overall or in the last 60 semester hours of coursework. 

  • Complete at least 30 hours of classroom observation as part of the educator preparation program. 

• Renewal and Continuing Education 

  • The special education teacher certification is valid for five years. 

  • Teachers must complete 150 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) before renewing their licenses 

You can learn more from the Texas Education Agency Certification website: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certification   

To be eligible for an alternative certification program in special education, you typically need: 

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (in any field). 

• A minimum GPA of 2.5 overall or in the last 60 semester hours of coursework. 

• To meet the screening criteria of the specific program you choose. 

Certification Process 

The process generally involves: 

• Completing required coursework and training through the ACP. 

• Passing the necessary certification exams, including: 

  • TExES Special Education EC-12 exam 

  • Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam 

• Obtaining a teaching position and applying for a Probationary Certificate. 

• Completing a one-year teaching internship or clinical teaching experience. 

• Fulfilling all program requirements to be recommended for standard certification 

Texas' Education Agency has created an interactive map that allows you to view all accredited programs within the state: https://tea-texas.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/8fdeed6e29b741ba8bac151ac023186d    

• Texas Council for Exceptional Children - https://texas.exceptionalchildren.org/ 

• The federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant program is a non-need-based program that provides up to $4,000 per year to undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students who agree to teach for four years in a high-need field in a low-income school (within eight years of completing the program for which the TEACH Grant was awarded). 

• The Teach for Texas Loan Repayment Program provides up to $2,500 annually in loan repayment assistance for eligible teachers who submit an annual application to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and are: