Certification Information
Teacher Certification
Teachers in Texas are required to be certified by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) or qualify for a district permit under the Boerne ISD District of Innovation plan. There are five requirements to become a certified teacher.
- Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree - You must earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- The Texas Administrative Code requires that candidates completing a Texas program must have a degree from a university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
- Health Science Technology and Trades & Industrial Education certifications are exempt from the Bachelor's degree requirement.
- Complete an Educator Preparation Program - You must complete an Approved Educator Preparation Program. If you do not hold a degree you must complete a university program. If you hold a degree you may contact an Alternative Certification Program or Post Baccalaureate program.
- Pass Certification Exams - You must pass the appropriate teacher certification exams. Contact your program for exam approval.
- Submit a State Application – You must apply to be certified after all requirements are met. Do not apply until you have verified with your program that you are eligible.
- Complete Fingerprinting – All first-time applicants must be fingerprinted as part of a national criminal background check.
Teachers moving to Texas from another state should review the TEA Out-of-State Certification requirements.
Teacher certification or the ability to qualify for a district permit under the District of Innovation plan will be verified before an employment offer is extended.
Educational Aide Certification
Educational aides in Texas are required to be certified. The issuance of an educational aide certificate requires the applicant to:
- Be a high school graduate or hold a General Education Development (GED) certificate or higher AND
- Have experience working with students or parents as approved by the employing superintendent (e.g., church-related schools, day camps, youth groups, private schools, licensed daycare centers).
Educational aide certification or the ability to qualify for an educational aide certificate will be verified before an employment offer is extended. Educational aides, who do not hold a certificate, will have 30 days to complete certification requirements after the first day of employment.
How to Obtain or Renew Your SBEC Certificate
- Log into your TEAL account to access your educator account.
- Once in TEAL, click View My Educator Certification Account to log into your Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) account.
- Once in ECOS, verify your profile information is correct. Then click Continue at the bottom of the page.
- From the Main Menu on the left select Applications, then Renew a Standard Certificate.
- Follow the prompts to submit the online renewal application and pay the fee.
If you have not set up your TEAL and ECOS accounts, instructions are located on the ECOS for Educator page. If you need assistance with accessing your existing TEAL account, submit a help desk request to account access.