Texas Certification for Out-of-State Teachers

Applicants  holding a standard out-of-state certificate will find that obtaining a Texas teacher’s certificate is a simple process.  Applicants can complete all certification requirements prior to being employed.  All Texas school districts have representatives who can assist teachers with the certification process.

 Bring or mail to the school district:

• Two sets of official transcripts showing the degree conferred and the registrar’s signature.  Official transcripts are needed for all college and universities that you have attended.

• An original of your out-of-state standard certificate (front and back if applicable) and a copy of state exam scores.  Substitute, City, Probationary and Temporary certificates are not acceptable.

The Fort Bend ISD certification office assists out-of-state teachers in the process of getting a Texas teacher certificate.  Out-of-state teachers are required to:

• Complete an online application for a review of credentials www.sbec.state.tx.us.  Click “Online Services for Educators”, establish an account, and follow directions for “Educators certified in another state or country may apply for a review of credentials”. Print remittance form.

• Complete the fingerprint process.

• Upon being hired by a district apply for a One-Year certificate.  Print remittance form.

• Submit a check or money order for $52 (payable to SBEC-CRT) and remittance form, for out-of-state teachers hired by Fort Bend ISD, the District pays for the $177 for the review of credentials or will reimburse employee for review of credentials with proof of payment.

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) will issue a one-year certificate and a deficiency letter.  Applicants must meet the requirements of the deficiency plan by the expiration date of the one year certificate.  In most cases, the only deficiency is the TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards) tests.  TExES exams are administered in Texas by National Evaluation Systems.  Teachers must register to take the TExES exams on their own.  Information for TExES exams can be found on the NES website at www.texes.nesinc.com.  Each exam costs $82.

In 2001 Texas began the process of reviewing out-of-state tests to determine if other tests are “similar to and at least as rigorous as the “the corresponding Texas certification exam(s).  The Summary of Comparable Out-of-State Assessments can be found on the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us. under “Certification Information”.

• If eligible, print and complete the Test Score/Passing Verification Release Authorization Form.

• Order official score report from your testing company to be sent directly to SBEC. Score reports issued directly to an examinee will not be accepted.

• Request for review of out of state scores must be submitted before SBEC has begun the review of credentials.

During the valid period for the one-year Texas certificate, each person must:

• Pass a content specific TExES exam (i.e. EC-4, 4-8, 8-12 math, history)

• Pass a professional development TExES exam (Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-4, 4-8, 8-12, EC-12)

• Exams to be taken are determined by SBEC following the completion of review of credentials.

Other Information:

• TExES exams can be taken multiple times.  Barcode is not necessary.

• Study guides are available for all TExES exams – Get copies from SBEC, National Evaluation Systems and most Texas universities.

• TExES exam sites are located in most larger Texas cities.  There are three sites in the Houston area.  Tests are administered six times a year usually beginning in October and ending in June.  Registration deadlines are approximately five weeks prior to the test date.

• Prior to the end of the school year, people teaching on a Texas one-year certificate must apply for a Texas standard teaching certificate online with SBEC and submit certificate fee.

• A Texas Standard Certificate must be renewed every five years.  One hundred fifty clock hours of continuing professional development are required for renewal  (there is a minimum of 20 hours that must be completed each year of the renewal period).

 Contact Information:

State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)                    National Evaluation Systems Inc.
1.888.863.5880                                                                512-238-3200 or 1800-523-7088
www.sbec.state.tx.us                                                       www.texes.nesinc.com