What is HB2 and Why Does it Matter?

Texas House Bill 2 is a new law that requires that school districts phase out the hiring uncertified teachers and creates deadlines for currently uncertified teachers to get on their standard certification. The bill also requires that parents be notified if their child is being taught by an uncertified teacher. Additionally, the bill creates a $1,000 certification incentive available to some uncertified teachers if they get on their standard certificate by the end of the 2027/2028 school year. In order to qualify for the incentive, a teacher would have had to start teaching during the 2022/2023 or 2023/2024 school years and have been teaching uncertified as of January 1st, 2025.

House Bill 2 restricts schools from hiring uncertified teachers for core subjects like math, reading, and science, with two temporary exceptions. A district may request permission to delay the requirement if they submit a plan showing how they will phase out hiring uncertified teachers. Also, a district that is part of the District of Innovation program and has a plan in place for the 2026 to 2027 school year can temporarily hire uncertified teachers for grades 6 and up in subjects other than reading or math. However this exception ends on September 1, 2027.

In addition to the certification deadlines and district oversight, parental notification rules mean families will be aware of uncertified teacher placements. Staying in the classroom means staying compliant—certification is no longer optional.

You’ll need to get on your Intern Certificate as soon as you’re eligible, then work toward your Standard Certificate by meeting program requirements and passing exams. The exact timeline depends on your current progress, but HB2 makes it clear: delays could cost you your job.

You may be eligible for a $1,000 incentive if you:

• Taught as an uncertified first-year teacher during 2022–2024
• Remain uncertified as of Jan. 1, 2025
• Earn your Standard Certificate by end of the 2026–2027 school year

Once eligible, you’ll receive instructions to redeem your voucher.

Use it toward program fees, test prep, or other certification costs.

Yes. Districts will be held accountable for tracking uncertified teachers’ progress. Additionally, TEA is now requiring parental notification if a student is being taught by an uncertified educator.

Districts will be required to help uncertified teachers move quickly into full certification. You should:

• Complete coursework
• Take and pass exams
• Submit your Statement of Eligibility (SOE)
• Get recommended for your Intern Certificate

These steps ensure you remain eligible to teach under the new law.

If you’re not certified by the required deadlines, schools may not be able to rehire you—especially in core subjects. Take action now to secure your future in the classroom.

Under HB2, uncertified teaching can no longer be indefinite. You may still teach while working toward certification—but only within a tighter window. If you do not progress or meet certification benchmarks, you may no longer be eligible to teach in core subjects.

Please contact Texas Teachers of Tomorrow at 877-888-2640 or email Teach@TexasTeachers.org.