- Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Candidates with various degree backgrounds are eligible.
- Enroll in an Approved Educator Preparation Program
Complete a Texas Education Agency-approved program (like ours), which prepares you to meet all state certification requirements.
- Pass State Certification Exams
Take and pass the certification exams that match your intended teaching area.
- Gain Classroom Experience
Choose a pathway:- Internship (full-year paid position)
- Clinical Teaching (one-semester unpaid placement)
- Get Fingerprinted
Complete a national background check through fingerprinting.*
- Apply for Certification
After completing all requirements and passing exams, apply for your Texas Standard Teaching Certificate.
If you would like to learn more about how to become a teacher in the state of Texas, Region 4 Educator Preparation can answer your questions. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to learn more!
* All candidates are required to go through a criminal history background check. Region 4 reserves the right to disqualify an applicant who has a criminal history record. Per TAC §227.1 (d) The EPP has informed applicants and candidates of the required information regarding criminal history. The applicant will be notified when the report is run, and Region 4 Inspire Texas receives the results. In addition, the applicant has the right to request their results. Candidates who defer the program and re-enter after six (6) months will go through a new criminal history background check.
Please note: Applicants who have committed and been convicted of a criminal offense, per the Texas Administrative Code §227.1 (d)(1), may be ineligible for certification as a teacher in the State of Texas. Per the Texas Administrative Code §227.1 (d)(1), applicants have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the Texas Education Agency to determine if a convicted criminal offense has rendered them ineligible. Full information on this process may be found at: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/investigations/preliminary-criminal-history-evaluation-faqs.
What You’ll Need to Apply
To begin your certification journey, you must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.50, either:
-
- on all coursework attempted, OR
- on your last 60 semester credit hours
It All Starts with Completing Your Online Teacher Certification!
Step 1: Apply
Complete the online application. The application fee is $100 and is non-refundable. Submit the following documents to Region 4 Inspire Texas at least five (5) days prior to the application deadline.
- Official transcript(s) emailed to transcripts@esc4.net or mailed/dropped off in sealed envelopes, of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum 2.50 GPA.
- Service record, if you have prior teaching experience.
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you would like your transcript(s) returned to you.
PLEASE SEND ALL MATERIALS TO:
Region 4 Inspire Texas
7145 W. Tidwell Rd., Houston, TX 77092
If you hold a degree from outside of the U.S., please click here for international candidate application requirements.
NOTE: You have up to 60 days to complete the online application once it is started.
After your application is submitted and documents received, you will be notified of your acceptance into the program and the certification areas for which you are eligible.
Step 2: Register for Training
Region 4 Inspire Texas pre-service training is offered multiple times a year.
ONLINE (16-31 WEEKS)
* Depending on the area of certification (EC-6/4-8 Core Subjects, 4-8 ELAR, and ELAR/SS 31 weeks, Single/Dual 16 Weeks).
Online training is offered monthly (twelve times a year). It is fully supportive and instructor-led, and it provides flexibility as you complete your certification coursework. You can complete this program anywhere there is web access, allowing you to work at your own pace.
Click here for training schedules and deadlines.
Courses meet the needs of various learning styles. Should further accommodations be necessary for disabilities, please contact our offices at 713.744.6323 or r4epsinfo@esc4.net. We will be happy to assist with the appropriate accommodation.
Step 3: Begin Classroom Experience
After completing pre-service training and passing the corresponding content TExES exam, you will then have an opportunity to complete either a 1-year paid internship or a 14-week unpaid clinical teaching assignment.
- INTERNSHIP
You will apply for and accept a salaried position in an accredited Texas public, private or charter school of your choice. As you work toward completing your certification requirements, you will serve as a teacher of record with the roles and responsibilities of a first-year teacher, including a first-year teacher salary, any benefits provided by the district or charter school, and Teacher Retirement System (TRS) enrollment. - CLINICAL TEACHING
You will teach alongside an experienced, certified teacher as a clinical teacher for 14 weeks. Clinical teaching is a guided assignment that allows you to practice before you teach. Clinical teaching is unpaid and no district benefits are provided; however, it is a shorter route to certification than an internship. Candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching.
[19 TAC §227.1(b)(2)]
Step 4: Get Certified
The final stage is here!
You are required by the Texas state board for educator certification to pass a minimum of two tests for obtaining teacher certification. Specific certification areas require additional tests.
TEXES CONTENT EXAM
All teacher candidates must pass the designated state certification content and PPR exams. Test permission is given once candidates engage in successful test preparation.