While the teacher certification process involves training and student teaching, it also includes a series of exams that you must take to earn your Texas educator certification.
Exams are a normal part of any certification process, but which tests you take largely are dependent on the grade level and subject area you wish to teach.
Below is a list of Texas teacher certification exams you may need to pass based on your specific journey toward becoming an educator.
You must pass at least one content exam in the area you wish to teach in order to earn a Texas teacher certification. Content exams are also divided by
While you MUST take and pass one individual subject exam to meet the texas teacher certification requirements, you can take more than one subject exam. This allows you to choose different tests that complement your skill sets. Taking more than one exam can also make you eligible for more open positions.
Below are the current Texas teacher certification areas offered in the state. It is important to stay current with any certification announcements and updates, however, in the event the TEA updates its Texas teacher education requirements.
| Texas Certification Areas |
| Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (Grades 6-12) |
| American Sign Language (Grades EC-12) |
| Art (Grades EC-12) |
| Bilingual Education Supplemental - American Sign Language (Grades NA) |
| Bilingual Education Supplemental - Arabic (Grades NA) |
| Bilingual Education Supplemental- Chinese (Grades NA) |
| Bilingual Education Supplemental- Japanese (Grades NA) |
| Bilingual Education Supplemental-Mandarin Chinese (Grades NA) |
| Bilingual Education Supplemental-Spanish (Grades NA) |
| Bilingual Education Supplemental-Vietnamese (Grades NA) |
| Business and Finance (Grades 6-12) |
| Chemistry (Grades 7-12) |
| Computer Science (Grades 8-12) |
| Core Subjects (EC PreK-Grade 3) |
| Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading (EC-Grade 6) |
| Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading (Grades 4-8) |
| Dance (Grades 6-12) |
| Deaf blind - in development |
| Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Grades EC-12) |
| Educational Diagnostician |
| English Language Arts and Reading with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4-8 |
| English Language Arts and Reading (Grades 7-12) |
| ELAR/Social Studies with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4-8 |
| English as a Second Language Supplemental (Grades NA) |
| Family and Consumer Sciences (Grades 6-12) |
| Gifted and Talented Supplemental (Grades NA) |
| Health (Grades EC-12) - in development |
| Health Science (Grades 6-12) |
| History (Grades 7-12) |
| Hospitality, Nutrition and Food Sciences (Grades 8-12) |
| Human Development and Family Studies (Grades 8-12) |
| Journalism (Grades 7-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - Arabic (Grades EC-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - Chinese (Grades EC-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - French (Grades EC-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - German (Grades EC-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - Hindi (Grades EC-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - Italian (Grades EC-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - Japanese (Grades EC-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - Korean (Grades EC-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - Latin (Grades EC-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - Portuguese (Grades EC-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - Russian (Grades EC-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - Spanish (Grades EC-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - Turkish (Grades EC-12) |
| Languages Other Than English - Vietnamese (Grades EC-12) |
| Life Science (Grades 7-12) |
| Marketing (Grades 6-12) |
| Mathematics (Grades 4-8) |
| Mathematics (Grades 7-12) |
| Mathematics/Science (Grades 4-8) |
| Music (Grades EC-12) |
| Physical Education (Grades EC-12) |
| Physical Science (Grades 6-12) |
| Physical Science/Mathematics/Engineering (Grades 6-12) |
| Physics/Mathematics (Grades 7-12) |
| Principal as Instructional Leader (Grades EC-12) |
| Reading Specialist (Grades EC-12) |
| Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) (Grades 6-12)- PPR Offered |
| School Counselor (Grades EC-12) |
| School Librarian (Grades EC-12) |
| Science (Grades 4-8) |
| Science (Grades 7-12) |
| Social Studies (Grades 4-8) |
| Social Studies (Grades 7-12) |
| Special Education (Grades EC-12) |
| Special Education (Grades EC-6) - in development |
| Special Education (Grades 6-12) - in development |
| Special Education Supplemental (Grades NA) |
| Speech (Grades 7-12) |
| Superintendent (Grades EC-12) |
| Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments Supplemental (Grades EC-12) |
| Technology Applications: (Grades EC-12) |
| Technology Education (Grades 6-12) |
| Theatre (Grades EC-12) |
| Trade and Industrial Education (Grades 6-12) |
| Trade and Industrial Workforce Training (Grades NA) |
The best alternative teaching certification program in Texas will ensure you have the information you need and are signed up for the correct content area exams for the certification area you wish to teach. Which Texas teacher certification exams you take also depend on the grade levels you want to teach, whether at the elementary or high school levels.
High-quality educator certification programs will also provide you with or connect you with a Texas teacher certification practice test to help you prepare. The TEA provides a Texas teacher certification test study guide for each type of content test as well.
When you must take this exam: It may vary based on the teacher preparation program. At ECAP, you must complete 40 hours of training before taking a practice content exam. Aim for a score of 270 and concentrate on areas that your practice exam results indicate you need further training in. Once you score a 270 on your practice exam, ECAP will give you permission to take your content exams.
One of the final exams all Texas teachers must take on their list of Texas teacher certification tests is the PPR, or Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility. All aspiring teachers must take this before earning an educator certification whether an individual chooses an in-person program or online teaching certification.
You must pass the PPR in order to obtain your standard certification. Areas addressed on the PPR include:
Preparing and taking the PPR can feel like a daunting experience. Choosing the right alternative teacher certification Texas program that prepares its interns for the PPR is an important step when working to avoid common mistakes on the PPR. That’s because the best certification programs will include a component in their curriculum that is specifically designated to help prepare you for the PPR.
Our article, How To Pass Your PPR Exam, addresses some common reasons why individuals do not pass the PPR, the type of questions you will see on the exam and some of the ways you can prepare for this important exam.
When you must take this exam: This is one of the final tests you will complete before earning certification and is designed to assess whether you have the needed knowledge and skills to become a teacher. You must complete 150 hours in the classroom before you take the PPR.
The Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam is a new teacher certification exam that the Texas Education Agency requires. You only have to take this new licensing test if you are seeking certification in the following areas:
Early Childhood: EC - Grade 3
Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Early Childhood - Grade 6
Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4-8
English Language Arts and Reading with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4-8
English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4-8
The state of Texas requires that individuals pursuing an intern, probationary or standard certification in one of these areas above to take this teaching reading exam in an effort to improve reading and writing instruction in Texas schools and improve the overall student and teaching experience.
It’s important to note that teachers who are currently standard certified in these fields will NOT have to pass the STR exam for their certificates to be renewed.
According to the preparation manual for this exam, this test focuses on standards that address the practice of teaching early reading. This includes areas that help develop good teachers, like proper teaching techniques, strategies, theories of learning, understanding students and their needs, and incorporating the backgrounds and interests of students into teaching methods.
When you must take this exam: Individuals will take the STR after their content exams, but before their PPR exams. Individuals will first obtain their intern certificate and begin their internship, and then take the STR before applying for a standard certification. You can read more about this timeline in this TEA document that outlines STR exam timelines and requirements.
Not everyone will need the TxPACT exam. You only need to take this exam if you do not meet the eligibility requirements for admission into an alternative teacher certification program. Please note that TxPACT exams ARE NOT the same as the TExES content-pedagogy certification exams used for standard certification.
You are required to take a TxPACT for admission into an educator preparation program (EPP) if:
You have a grade point average that falls below a 2.5 or
You have not completed at least 12 semester credit hours in the subject area you wish to teach (15 hours if seeking certification in math or science at the 7th grade level or above)
To take the TxPACT, you must hold a bachelor’s degree or be within the last semester of receiving a bachelor’s degree, according to the Texas Education Agency.
If you meet the minimum grade point average requirement to be admitted to an EPP and you have completed the required semester credit hours as outlined above, you DO NOT have to take the TxPACT.
When you must take this exam: You must take this exam prior to being admitted into an educator preparation program.
Determining which certification tests you must take for the area you wish to teach can take some planning and attention to detail. While some exams like a content exam and PPR are required for every teaching intern, others are optional (such as additional content exams) or dependent on what area or grade level you wish to teach.
It’s important for aspiring and new teachers to work with your Texas teacher certification program to ensure you are signed up for the right tests at the right time so that your teaching certificate is not delayed. The best alternative certification program will work side by side with you so you can complete your journey toward becoming a certified classroom teacher.