TEA Offers Certification Information, Guidance, and Reminders

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) educator certification team has helpful information, guidance, and reminders to assist district HR staff in navigating beginning-of-the-year certification challenges.

Webpage Links and Forms

Links and forms are periodically updated on the TEA website for quality and continuous improvement. District HR staff should check bookmarked links and downloaded forms to ensure the most up-to-date information is being used. Quick access to certification information and available forms are in the Certification section of the TEA website.

Permits

The 2024-2025 emergency permit application opened on July 1. HR staff can use the TEA Emergency Permits Guidebook to complete the application process. HR staff also may refer to TEA's School District Personnel Certification Information page for additional information. The question-and-answer format provides guidance regarding teacher assignments, out-of-state certification, Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) for Entities, emergency permits, and educational aide assignments. Information about educational aide certificates can be found on TEA's Becoming an Educational Aide in Texas webpage.

The TEA Out-of-State Certifications webpage contains information for both out-of-state and out-of-country certified educators, including detailed checklists for credential reviews when applying to become a Texas teacher. HR staff, with the appropriate level of ECOS access, may view the credential review letter provided to the educator.

To assist educator preparation program (EPP) candidates with their certificate status, district personnel can navigate to the check application/fee status to confirm “applied” versus “recommended.” The EPP must recommend the candidate for a standard certificate. If this step is not completed, the certificate will not post.

Military Community and First Responders

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) has updated 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 234, effective March 7, 2024, creating temporary certifications for certain members of the military community and for first responders. The Military Community and First Responders webpage has a detailed checklist including fee exemption information.

Visiting International Teachers

The state of Texas has seen an increase in visiting international teachers (VITs) over the past couple of years. This TEA-approved program supports foreign educators coming to Texas to teach, study, conduct research, demonstrate special skills, and share teaching practices and experiences.

These eligible out-of-country certified educators receive a visiting international teacher certificate while participating in a TEA-approved J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program. The certificate is valid for three years and may be extended for two additional years, for a maximum of five years. The individual must be actively enrolled and in good standing with a VIT Program.

Additional information may be found on the TEA webpage Visiting International Teachers. Only approved school districts that are partnered with a TEA-approved J-1 Visa Exchange Program have access to submit the VIT application via the ECOS for Entities.

Other Information

The Certification Assignment Flexibility webpage provides a chart outlining educator certification options for districts to address the most common certification challenges and scenarios. If HR staff still needs assistance after viewing these resource links, they can call TEA educator preparation and certification staff Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 512-936-8400, option 2.