Texas Teaching Certificate (Complete Guide

Have experience in fields like welding, real estate, health science, business or tech? 

You could bring your skills to the classroom by teaching high school students in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. 

For many of these subjects, a bachelor’s degree isn’t required—but your real-world experience and industry certifications are. It’s a great way to help the next generation gain hands-on skills for the future.

Love working with kids and have a passion for multiple subjects? 

Elementary teachers bring learning to life for students in kindergarten through grade 6. From math and reading to science and social studies, you’ll create fun, engaging lessons that spark curiosity and build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Want to teach a subject like P.E. or art? 

These certifications cover kindergarten-grade 12, giving you the flexibility to teach anywhere from elementary school to high school. 

Whether you’re helping kindergarteners explore creativity or coaching teens to reach their goals, you can make an impact at every stage.

The same is true for many special education endorsements. These certifications give you the flexibility to teach across multiple grade levels and open up more job opportunities.

Want to focus on your favorite subject or work with older students? 

Teaching in middle or high school lets you dive deeper into topics like biology, geometry, history, literature, math and many more. It’s a great way to share your passion and expertise.

Texas has a shortage of teachers in certain subjects. 

If you want to fill an urgent need and increase your chances of finding a teaching job, consider high-demand areas like math, bilingual education, Career & Technical Education (CTE) and special education.

Explore the full list of Texas shortage areas and get detailed info in our Guide to Texas Certification Areas.

Most teaching certifications require you to have a bachelor’s degree. 

The one exception is Career & Technical Education (CTE). If you have industry experience in areas like automotive repair, health sciences, technology or agriculture, you may qualify to teach CTE without a degree. Instead, you’ll need the right combination of work experience, industry certifications and a teacher preparation program.

Check out our Guide to Texas Certification Areas to see if your background qualifies.

Nope! For almost all teaching positions, you want a degree or lots of coursework in your specific teaching subject—that means a degree in math to teach math, a degree in science to teach science, and so on. 

If you’re an undergraduate, you may find it helpful to minor in education, if that’s an option. Talk to your college advisor about this.

If you already have a degree in a field like anthropology or marketing, and you want to teach science or English, you need a certain number of course credits in those subjects, though you may be eligible to take a test to show you know your subject. 

Not sure if your degree counts? Let our experts walk you through your options. 

Talk to a TeachDFW coach for FREE. 

You don't always know what you want to teach when you first choose a major. Or you may be thinking about switching careers into your new area of interest. 

Either way, you can earn a certification in a subject other than your degree subject in a couple of ways:

• Additional credits: You may need to take a few courses before you can enroll in a teaching program. A post-baccalaureate, or “post-bac,” program through a college or university can help you get the extra credits you need. 
• Testing: For many subjects, you can test to show your qualifications. 

No matter which method you choose, make sure you enroll in a teaching program that offers certification in the subject you want to teach. 

If your college major doesn’t line up with the subject you're passionate about—like having a math degree but wanting to teach art—don’t worry. A common option is to get certified in the subject that matches your degree first. Then, you can add certification in another subject later by passing the right PRAXIS test.

Want help figuring out your best path forward? Connect with a TeachDFW coach who can walk you through your options and help you make a plan. It’s free! 

These programs allow you to weave a teaching certificate into your degree program. They include student teaching as part of your coursework. 

Already have a degree? Alternative certification programs are typically designed for working adults who want to start teaching fast.

After a short training period, you’ll step into the classroom on a probationary certificate while finishing your coursework outside of school hours. You’ll have up to two years to earn your standard certificate.

Some colleges and universities offer alternative certification programs, but they are also offered by non-profit institutions, education agencies or school districts. 

These programs are a great fit if you're ready to teach high-need subjects like math, science or special education—and make an impact from day one.

• Residency programs offer an alternative path to certification. You’ll be paired with a school district to get hands-on experience in your grade and subject while earning a paycheck and your certificate. Learn more. 

• Internships and one-year permits allow people who have teaching experience but no certificate to teach their own class right away and with a full salary. 

  Ready to start your teaching journey? Begin by visiting our Alternative Certification page.

If you already work at a school—as a teacher's aide, substitute teacher, or other instructional support staff, you may be eligible for specialized programs that keep you working at your current school while you advance your career into the classroom. 

In Texas, you could be eligible to have your tuition and fees covered through the Education Aide Exemption Program.

Not already working at a school? Consider applying! 

Schools have many important roles helping teachers in and out of the classroom. You’ll gain valuable classroom management experience, make connections with teachers and schools, and earn a living while working towards your certificate.  

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your background and the path you choose. Costs can vary based on whether you already have a bachelor’s degree or need to earn one. Some programs even pay you while you train.

Here are some factors that can affect your total cost:

• You don’t have a bachelor’s degree. If you don’t yet have a degree, a combined bachelor’s and teaching certificate program is often the most cost-effective route. You’ll earn both at the same time, but you’ll still be covering the cost of a college education. Not to worry, you’ve got options—see what financial aid is waiting for you.
• You already have a degree in your teaching subject. If you’ve already earned a degree in the subject you want to teach, you might qualify for an alternative certification program. These programs let you start teaching (and earning a salary) while completing your training. You’ll still have to pay for your teaching program, but your income can help offset the cost.
• You’re an experienced tradesperson. If you have experience in a skilled trade or industry, you may be able to start teaching right away through Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. These paths are often faster and more affordable.
• You plan to teach a high-need subject area. There’s extra support available for teachers in high-demand areas like special education, math, CTE and bilingual education. You may qualify for additional scholarships, grants or even loan forgiveness.

Get the Finances Guide for Future Teachers and discover scholarships, financial aid and more to help you get started.

Texas wants to make teaching programs as affordable as possible. You may be eligible for the following types of financial assistance for future teachers.

• Scholarships & Grants. These are free money based on factors such as the subject you choose to teach, the program you enroll in, your income and more. 
• Loan Forgiveness. If you do need to take loans for school, you can get them forgiven—that means you won’t have to pay them all back—for teaching. Learn more about loan forgiveness programs. 
• Earn While You Learn. Some programs allow you to earn a salary while you earn your teaching license. This salary offers both living expenses and offsets the cost of your program. 

Short answer: Yes.

Longer answer: To teach in Texas public schools, you’ll eventually need a teaching certificate. But if you have a bachelor’s degree or vocational work experience, you may qualify for alternative pathways that put you in the classroom faster!

• Do you have a bachelor’s degree? Certification-only or alternative certification programs take less time and cost less than standard certification programs. Learn more about alternative certification.
• Are you a tradesperson? If you have vocational experience, you may be able to get certified to teach as a Career & Technical Education instructor. Positions are available in fields such as automotive repair, health sciences, agricultural science and others.

How long your teacher certification takes will depend on your background and the type of teaching program you choose.

Here’s what you can expect for most programs:

• Bachelor’s degree & certification: About 4 years
• Master’s degree & certification: 1–3 years
• Alternative certification: 1–2 years
• Certification-only: Up to 1 year

If you’re already a certified educator—in Texas or elsewhere—you may be able to skip certain exams or other steps. You should review the Texas Education Agency certification page for info on your specific situation.

As a Texas educator, your pay will depend on your years of experience and where you work. 

In Dallas-Fort Worth, you can earn over $60K as a first-year teacher. That’s one of the highest first-year teacher salaries in the country!

You can increase your salary with added credentials, such as a master’s degree. If you’ve taught for at least three years, you can also earn more with a National Board Certification.

Learn more about Texas teacher pay. 

Wondering how to pay for your program? We can help! Here are a few of the tools TeachDFW offers:

• TeachDFW scholarships for future educators
• $100 back for any application-related costs
• Information about financial resources with our online Finances Guide

New to financial aid? Start with the basics on our About Financial Aid page. Then, explore support options and sign up for our Financial Aid Explorer on the Financial Support page.

Looking to save money while starting your teacher prep? Community college is an affordable choice. Check out programs near you and get started today!

If you’re an international student, you’ll need extra documentation when you apply to your teaching program. It’s a good idea to start collecting those documents as soon as possible.

You may need to take a test to meet your program’s language proficiency requirements, or provide other documentation, such as visas, work authorizations or transcript evaluations. Check with your program to find out what documentation they require.

If you have a bachelor’s degree from outside the U.S., you’ll need to submit a course-by-course evaluation of your transcript from a foreign credential evaluation service. Find an approved foreign credential evaluator.

Yes. To get certified, you’ll need to complete a fingerprint-based background check through the Texas Education Agency (TEA) after finishing your teaching program.

If you have a criminal history, TEA reviews each case individually. It’s a good idea to reach out to them early if you have questions about your eligibility. 

Yes! You don’t have to dive into a full teaching career right away. Try it out through flexible experiences like tutoring, substitute teaching, teaching assistant roles or short‑term internships.  These options let you:

• Gain hands-on classroom experience
• Build valuable leadership, communication problem-solving skills
• Make an immediate impact on students
• See if teaching is the right path for you

Find opportunities to try out teaching in DFW.

Absolutely! Teaching equips you with valuable skills like leadership, communication, creative problem-solving and teamwork. These skills open up many career opportunities beyond the classroom. Your certification and experience give you plenty of options to grow and expand your career.

Explore career paths for teachers.