To teach in the state of Texas, you must pass the appropriate content exams in the subject areas you wish to teach.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires that all teacher candidates pass at least one certification exam that is subject specific. Currently, there are more than 50 Texas teacher certification areas offered, ranging from core subjects to special education, languages and art.
While teacher interns must take at least one certification exam, a candidate can take more than one. 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 certification areas offered in the state of Texas. It is important to stay current with any certification announcements and updates, however, in the event the TEA updates what certification areas are offered.
| Texas Certification Areas |
| Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (Grades 6-12) |
| American Sign Language (Grades EC-12) |
| Art (Grades EC-12) |
| 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 (Grades 4-8) |
| Core Subjects (Grades EC-6) |
| Dance (Grades 6-12) |
| Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Grades EC-12) |
| Driver Education (Grades 6-12) |
| Educational Diagnostician (Grades EC-12) |
| English Language Arts and Reading (Grades 4-8) |
| English Language Arts and Reading (Grades 7-12) |
| English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies (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) |
| 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 - 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 - Mandarin Chinese (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 - Urdu (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/Physical Science/Engineering (Grades 6-12) |
| Mathematics/Science (Grades 4-8) |
| Music (Grades EC-12) |
| Physical Education (Grades EC-12) |
| Physical Science (Grades 6-12) |
| Physical Science/Mathematics/Engineering (Grades 8-12) |
| 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) |
| 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 Supplemental (Grades NA) |
| Speech (Grades 7-12) |
| Superintendent (Grades EC-12) |
| Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (Grades EC-12) |
| Technology Applications: (Grades EC-12) |
| Technology Education (Grades 6-12) |
| Theatre (Grades EC-12) |
| Trade and Industrial Education (Grades 6-12) |
Looking at the list of Texas teacher certification areas offered can be overwhelming, especially if you haven’t yet landed on the subject area you wish to teach.
It may be helpful to know which key teaching disciplines are facing shortages currently in the state. Not only would you be filling a significant need in many school districts, you may have an easier time landing a job.
The need for bilingual educators is so high in the state of Texas that some districts are recruiting teaching candidates from locations like Puerto Rico, Mexico and Spain.
Although there is a common perception that this need is limited to Spanish speaking candidates, there is an influx of students across the state from diverse backgrounds. This has prompted several districts to seek candidates who are fluent in languages such as Vietnamese, Chinese and Hindi.
In fact, the state offers content exams in more than a dozen language-related subjects, including Arabic, Hindi, Korean, Russian and Mandarin Chinese.
Career Technical Education (CTE) provides students with the academic and technical skills needed to succeed in future careers and to become lifelong learners.
Career and Technical Course Offerings and Curriculum vary widely around the country. They may include graphic arts, animation, game design and technology.
A shortage of qualified CTE teachers is a problem found nationwide. In fact, within the past few years, the U.S. Department of Education has reported there is a school teacher shortage in CTE in more than 30 states, including Texas.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is vital for the future of the American workforce. Because STEM education fields are booming here in the United States and abroad, teachers in these fields are among the most in demand teaching jobs in Texas.
During this most recent school year, the Texas Education Agency designated career and technical education, technology applications and computer science, and mathematics at the high school level as areas where there is a critical shortage of teacher applicants.
Special education programs cover a wide variety of impediments to learning, but are designed for students who are mentally, physically, socially and/or emotionally delayed. Due to these delays, many students’ needs cannot be met within the traditional classroom environment exclusively.
Special education programs and services adapt content, teaching methodology and delivery instruction to meet the appropriate needs of each child. In fact, according to the TEA, about 1 in every 8 Texas public school students need special education services. This need has left Texas as one of 48 states that have reported a shortage of qualified special ed teachers.
You can read more about this need in our article, The Growing Need For Online Special Education Teacher Certification Programs.
It can feel overwhelming trying to navigate which content area exams you should take. A high-quality alternative teacher certification program can help walk you through the steps so you can be confident that you are meeting all the requirements for a Texas teaching certificate.
With urgent new testing timelines in play, it’s more important than ever to have a licensed teacher preparation program by your side so you know not only what content exams to take, but when to take them.
A high-quality program like ECAP will always keep your best interest in mind and will work with you to establish an individual timeline that meets your goals and secures your future as an educator.
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