If you’re passionate about education, becoming a teacher in Texas might be the perfect path for you. Texas offers a welcoming environment for aspiring educators like you to embark on a rewarding career.
With a notable teacher shortage, the state’s educational system is actively seeking passionate teachers to fill classrooms and inspire students.
Becoming an educator in Texas involves completing specific requirements. There are many paths, whether you want to transition from another career or you’re just starting out—even if you don’t have a degree yet.
If you are passionate about education, enjoy working with young minds, and want to contribute to society, we’ve got you covered.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about the Texas teacher certification process, alternative routes for certification, and how to meet Texas teaching requirements.
Are Teachers in High Demand in Texas in 2025?
Yes—Texas continues to experience a significant teacher shortage in 2025, driven by rising student enrollment, educator retirements, and challenges in retaining qualified staff. This has created a sustained demand for certified teachers across the state, with the highest need in areas like Bilingual/ESL education, Special Education, and STEM subjects.
Districts are especially eager to fill roles in rural communities and underserved urban schools, where staffing gaps are more persistent. To attract new educators, many offer incentives such as higher starting salaries, hiring bonuses, loan forgiveness, and stipends for high-need subjects.
Alternative certification pathways also provide flexible, fast-track options for career changers who want to enter the classroom sooner. For anyone considering a teaching career, Texas offers strong job security, statewide support, and a wide range of opportunities to make a real impact in 2025.
Texas’s Teacher Situation in 2025
Texas continues its mission to strengthen the public education system by expanding and diversifying its teacher workforce. As of 2025, the state employs over 370,000 educators, yet demand remains high due to rising student enrollment, teacher attrition, and a growing need for specialized instruction.
The starting salary for Texas teachers now averages around $44,000, with some districts offering higher pay to remain competitive. With consistent experience and professional growth, salaries can exceed $70,000 over the course of a teaching career. Many districts now also offer performance incentives, sign-on bonuses, and stipends for advanced degrees.
One of Texas’s strengths is its broad access to educator preparation. There are now more than 120 TEA-approved Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs), including traditional university-based routes and flexible alternative certification programs designed for career changers or recent college graduates.
Despite this infrastructure, Texas faces persistent teacher shortages in several critical areas. Teachers entering these high-need fields may be eligible for higher salaries, state stipends, and increased job placement support:
- Bilingual/ESL Education: Serve students whose first language isn’t English by delivering culturally inclusive instruction that promotes English language development and academic growth.
- Career & Technical Education (CTE): Prepare high school students for careers by teaching hands-on skills in areas like healthcare, welding, business, and culinary arts.
- Computer Science/Technology Applications: Equip students with essential 21st-century skills, from coding and cybersecurity to web design and digital literacy.
- Special Education: Support students with learning disabilities or developmental challenges by developing individualized instruction plans and adapting materials to diverse learning needs.
Whether you’re just starting your career or transitioning from another field, Texas offers strong institutional support, competitive compensation, and abundant pathways to certification—making 2025 an excellent time to join the profession.
What are the requirements to teach in Texas?
To become a certified teacher in Texas, candidates must meet several academic, training, and legal requirements set by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). These requirements are designed to ensure that educators are fully prepared to lead a classroom and support student success across the state’s diverse school systems.
The first and most essential requirement is a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Your degree does not have to be in education, although choosing a degree with a teaching concentration or subject-area focus can make the certification process more streamlined.
Next, you must complete an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP). These programs offer the professional training needed to become an effective teacher, including coursework in pedagogy, curriculum development, classroom management, and educational ethics. Many EPPs are embedded within undergraduate programs, but they are also offered as post-baccalaureate or alternative certification programs for those who already have a degree.
Once you’ve completed your educator preparation coursework, you are required to pass a series of Texas certification exams. These exams typically include:
- The TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards) content exam for your chosen subject and grade level
- The PPR (Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities) exam, which assesses your teaching methodology and classroom management skills
In some cases, additional exams may be required for bilingual certification, special education, or supplemental subject areas.
After passing your exams, you must submit an application for certification through the TEA’s Educator Certification Online System (ECOS). As part of this process, you’ll undergo a criminal background check and fingerprinting through the Texas Department of Public Safety. A clean background is necessary to obtain final approval for your teaching certificate.
In summary, to teach in Texas, you’ll need to:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Complete an approved Educator Preparation Program
- Pass all required certification exams
- Apply for certification through TEA and clear a background check
Meeting these requirements ensures that you’re well-prepared to meet the academic, emotional, and social needs of students across the state. Whether you choose the traditional route or an alternative certification path, Texas offers multiple pathways to support aspiring teachers in reaching their goals.
Steps to Become a Teacher in Texas
Different people enjoy different aspects of teaching. You may like the stability and benefits that come with the role, while your colleague values building rewarding relationships with their students.
Let’s look at the steps you need to take to begin teaching in Texas:
1. Obtain a bachelor’s degree
The first step to becoming a teacher in Texas is to earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 2.5 GPA or higher in your education program.
If you aim to teach at the kindergarten or elementary school level, a general degree in early childhood or elementary education can be sufficient.
For teaching middle or high school students, you need to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the subject you plan to teach.
If you fail to attain the required GPA, or you’re yet to complete at least 12 semester credits in your specific subject area, you must pass the Pre Admissions Content Test (PACT) through the Texas Education Agency to get your teacher certification.
2. Get student teaching experience
Texas requires you to complete 300 clock hours of coursework, training, and 30 hours of field-based experience before leading a classroom.
The state accommodates different learning styles and schedules, so up to 15 of these hours can be obtained through video or virtual experiences.
Most bachelor’s degree programs and all Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) emphasize this hands-on experience. If you enroll in an EPP, you must complete at least 350 hours of student teaching.
3. Pass required certification tests
You must pass the necessary certification tests for your desired teaching subject, grade level, or specialization.
| Exam Name | Purpose | Applicable Grades |
|---|---|---|
| TExES | Tests subject knowledge & teaching skills | Varies by subject |
| PACT | Pre-Admission test for alternative certification | Grades 4-12 (various subjects) |
| Science of Teaching Reading (STR) | Assesses foundational literacy instruction | Early Childhood-Grade 6, Grades 4-8 |
In Texas, the common exam categories are TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards) and PACT (Pre-Admission Content Test), which assess your knowledge and readiness to teach.
However, if you meet the 2.5 GPA and have completed at least 12 or 15 semester credit hours of coursework, you don’t need to sit for PACT.
The Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) assesses your knowledge of the subject matter you want to teach and not your teaching skills. It examines the following areas:
- Core Subjects: Early Childhood-Grade 6, Grades 4-8
- Math/Science: Grades 4-8, Grades 7-12
- Social Studies: Grades 4-8, Grades 7-12
- Physical Education: Early Childhood-Grade 12
The TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards) is a series of tests for aspiring teachers in Texas. It evaluates both your content knowledge of the subject you intend to teach and your teaching strategies.
The TExEs cover the following areas:
- Early Childhood: Pre-K through third grade
- English, Language Arts, and Reading: Grades 4-8, Grades 7-12
- Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Early Childhood-Grade 6, Grades 4-8
- Bilingual Education Supplements: Spanish, American Sign Language Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese.
4. Apply for certification
Once you’ve completed the required steps, your educator preparation program will recommend you for a standard teaching certificate.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) charges $78 for the standard teacher certification application.
Here’s a quick procedure for applying for your certification:
- Log in to your TEAL account: First, log in to your TEAL (Texas Education Agency Login) account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one on the TEA website and undergo a criminal background check, including fingerprinting. Once logged in, click on “View My Educator Certification Account” to access your ECOS (Educator Certification Online System) account.
- Complete the online application: In your ECOS account, you’ll find the option to complete the appropriate online application for teacher certification. Provide accurate information and follow the instructions carefully. Pay the required application fee.
- Check your certification status: After your application, you can check the status of your certificate through your TEAL account.
- If you are a candidate in a Texas-approved educator preparation program (EPP), go to the “Application/Fee Status” section.
- Confirm that your status has changed from “Applied” to “Recommended.”
- If your status is not “Recommended,” contact your EPP directly to determine when they will provide TEA with the online recommendation for certification.
- If you are a certified teacher applying to add a new classroom certificate area, go to the “View Certificates” tab to see if your certificate has been issued.
- Print your certificate: You can now print your certificate from your ECOS account. Go to the “View Certificates” tab and use Internet Explorer to view and print your certificate correctly. TEA does not issue specific numbers for educator certificates. Your records are maintained in ECOS based on your TEA ID number.
5. Start applying for teaching jobs
Once you’ve completed all the above steps, you can start looking for employment opportunities.
Craft your first CV and highlight your educational background, student teaching experience, and any additional skills or courses that may set you apart.
Remember to include any past experiences or volunteering in your CV to demonstrate your commitment and passion for teaching.
Additionally, keep your CV concise and use strong action verbs to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities. You also want to proofread it carefully to remove any typos and grammatical errors that can create a negative impression.
Career Outlook for Certified Texas Teachers
In 2025, Texas continues to face a statewide teacher shortage, especially in high-need areas like special education, bilingual education, math, and science. This has created strong demand and expanded opportunities for newly certified teachers across the state.
The average teacher salary in Texas is now around $61,750, though it varies by district, subject area, and experience. Entry-level teachers typically start between $40,000 and $46,000, while experienced educators in larger districts can earn $70,000 or more.
Many districts offer sign-on bonuses—often between $1,000 and $5,000—to attract new teachers, particularly in shortage areas. Teachers with a master’s degree may receive annual stipends of $1,000 or more, and those who qualify for the Teacher Incentive Allotment can earn even higher performance-based compensation.
After three years, most teachers become eligible for continuing contracts or tenure, offering job stability and structured salary growth. Overall, 2025 is a strong year to begin a teaching career in Texas, with better pay, more openings, and added incentives across many districts.
Become a Teacher in Texas
Teaching is a calling to inspire and educate the next generation.
| Pathway | Requirements | Time to Completion |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Route | Bachelor's in Education + Educator Preparation Program (EPP) + Exams | ~4 years |
| Alternative Certification | Bachelor's in any field + Alternative EPP + Exams | 6 months - 1 year |
| No Degree Route | Enroll in an EPP while earning a degree | Varies |
To teach in Texas, you need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution focusing on early childhood, elementary education, or a specific subject for secondary education.
If the traditional route to certification isn’t for you, you can try the alternative teacher certification options to get into the classroom sooner. These programs are designed for individuals who may not have a degree in education but have a degree in another field and a passion for teaching.
At Teachers of Tomorrow, we offer alternative certification teacher certification programs for aspiring educators in Texas. We’ve empowered over 80,000 educators to become certified teachers, making a positive impact in classrooms.
Sign up today and begin your journey to become a certified teacher in Texas.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Teacher in Texas?
For most aspiring educators, the traditional path to becoming a certified teacher in Texas takes approximately four to five years. This includes earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, completing an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP), passing the required Texas certification exams, and applying for your official teaching certificate through the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Most bachelor’s degree programs take four years to complete when attending full time. If you enroll in an education-focused program, your coursework will likely include both academic subject matter and teaching methodology, along with a student teaching internship during your final year. This internship provides real-world classroom experience under the guidance of a certified teacher and is a requirement for licensure.
After completing your degree and student teaching, you’ll be eligible to take the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) or similar exams that assess your knowledge of the subject and grade level you plan to teach. Once you pass the required exams, you can submit your application for certification through the TEA and undergo a background check.
However, if you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, alternative certification programs (ACPs) offer a faster route into the classroom. These programs, which are often completed in 12 to 18 months, allow you to work toward certification while teaching under a probationary certificate. ACPs are ideal for career changers or individuals who want to enter the profession without pursuing a second full undergraduate degree.
Ultimately, your timeline depends on the pathway you choose. Traditional routes typically take four years, while alternative certification can reduce that timeframe to about one to two years depending on the program structure and your pace.
