The TEA ID is a vital component of the teaching profession in Texas. Without it, teachers would not be able to work in the state’s public schools.
When you begin the process of becoming an educator in Texas, you obtain your ID number from the Texas Education Agency. From there, you use it in a number of ways, from registering for Texas teacher certification exams to submitting certification applications and renewals, accessing your certification status and information, and even logging into the TEA’s online certification system.
Your TEA ID is also necessary for school districts to verify your credentials and qualifications, ensuring that you are qualified to work in Texas public schools.
But how do you get a TEA ID, and once you have it, how do you access it again?
To register for the first time, go to the TEA’s Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) page and create a TEA Login
Make sure you use your first and last name that matches your Texas driver’s license or state identification. If your first and last names used in your Educator Certification profile do not match your Texas driver’s license or state identification EXACTLY, you will not be able to register for tests with a vendor.
If your name has changed through marriage, divorce or other reasons, you can visit these name change instructions on the TEA website.
Your profile will also contain additional information like your mailing address, email address and phone number.
As a teacher, you may have to access your TEA ID number if you’re updating professional development or continuing education credits. You can access your account at this Texas Education Agency-Login (TEAL) page.
After logging in with your username and password, your TEA ID number is located on the main page under the blue “View My Educator Certification Account.” If you do not see the blue link, your TEAL account and ECOS account may not be linked.
To link your accounts,
If the linking of the two accounts is successful, you will see a confirmation message.
Head back to the self-service menu and click “Access Applications.” The blue “View My Educator Certification Account” should now be visible by your TEA ID Number.
If you need to access your online certification records or perform related tasks in ECOS, click on the blue “View My Educator Certification Account” link. You’ll also be prompted once in ECOS to update your profile information. Make sure you click “Continue” to save any changes that you make.
The TEA ID number is not only necessary for teachers but also for other education professionals in Texas, including school administrators, counselors and librarians. These professionals must also obtain a TEA ID number from the Texas Education Agency to work in Texas public schools.
It’s also important to know that the TEA ID number is only applicable for educators seeking employment in Texas public schools or charter schools. Educators who work in private schools or other educational institutions in Texas do not need a TEA ID number.
Finally, one more important thing to note is that the TEA ID number is not the same as a teaching certificate. The TEA ID number is an identification number issued by the TEA to educators in Texas. A teaching certificate is a credential that certifies an educator to teach a particular subject or grade level in Texas public schools.
To obtain a teaching certificate in Texas, educators must meet certain education and testing requirements, as well as complete a background check. Once they have met the appropriate requirements, they can apply for a teaching certificate through the TEA’s online certification system and will then be issued a unique certificate number.
Our article, How To Get Your Online Elementary Teacher Certification, explains more about the process of earning a teaching certificate in Texas, including enrolling in a teacher certification program, fulfilling your training requirements, passing your exams and submitting your teaching license application.