Certification Announcements and Updates
The STR exam will be required for the issuance of five certification fields.
- 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 STR exam will be required for the issuance of intern, probationary, and standard certifications for these certification fields beginning January 1, 2021.
Teachers who are currently standard certified in Core Subjects: EC-6, Core Subjects: 4-8, English Language Arts and Reading: 4-8, or English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies: 4-8 will not be required to pass the STR exam for renewal of their certificate. The STR exam requirement only impacts candidates seeking certification after Jan. 1, 2021.
Early Childhood: Prekindergarten-Grade 3 certificate
To obtain the Early Childhood: Prekindergarten-Grade 3 certificate you must complete an approved Educator Preparation Program. This certificate cannot be added via additional certification by examination.
Document Upload Available in the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS)
Via the "My Documents" tab in ECOS, Educator's have the ability to view documents received by 7mÊÓƵ staff and upload documents themselves. Visit the documents upload instructions page for assistance.
School districts and Educator Preparation Programs also have the ability to view documents received by 7mÊÓƵ staff and upload documents via the "Documents" tab in ECOS. Please see the Document Upload for Entities instructions for assistance.
Transcripts Now Accepted Electronically from the Institution
Official transcripts can be sent directly from your institution or servicer via email. Your institution should email the transcript directly to OSC75@tea.texas.gov. We will not accept emailed transcripts from you.
Teacher Shortage Areas
The 2026-2027 teacher shortage areas are now available.
Test Exemptions for Educators Who Hold a Standard Certificate Outside of Texas
The exemption of Texas tests is for eligible individuals certified outside the state, in accordance with 19 TAC Chapter 152, Commissioner’s Rules Concerning Examination Requirements, §152.1001, Exceptions to Examination Requirements for Individuals Certified Outside the State.
Instructions and required documents have been detailed on the Out-of-State Tests Exemption page.
Minimum Salary Schedule
The 2025-2026 minimum salary schedule is now available on the Minimum Salary Schedules page.