Your Path to Getting a Texas Teacher Certification Starts Here

Choose the Texas teacher certification path that is right for you. We’ll help guide and support you through the entire process.

Degree

You have a 4-year college degree with a GPA of 2.6 or higher

No Degree

You don't have a college degree, but you have 2+ years of experience in a particular field

Did You Know?

Almost 50% of all new teachers to the Texas education system come from Alternative education programs.

49% off all new teachers are prepared through alternative programs
34% are prepared through undergraduate programs, typically for elementary teacher positions
13% come from out-of-state programs
4% from post baccalaureate programs

Alternative Educator Preparation Programs certify the most new teachers.

Sources: TEA statistics 2014-2015

Simple Process To Certification

We break your path to certification down into 3 simple steps and make sure you have all the information you need to determine the right path for you.

Apply To ECAP

Learn

Train with the best alternative education program in the state.

Get Hired

School districts look for ECAP graduates because of their reputation for excellence.

How To Become A Teacher In Texas

Do you know what is involved in becoming a teacher? Usually the answer is, “Not really.” There is good reason for it. The certification process can be confusing and frustrating. Well, no longer! Inside our FREE CHECKLIST you will learn:

How do I apply to an accredited program?
How much does the TExES test cost?
When does your training start?
When can you start teaching?

And a lot more!

How-to-Become-a-Teacher-in-Texas-Checklist

Texas Teacher Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does A Texas Teacher Program Cost?

Texas teacher training programs vary in price. They typically cost anywhere from $4,000 to $5,000, depending on the program. Our program is a total of $4,300. Our application fee is $0. And then, once you are accepted, we charge a training fee of $400 that is split into 2 monthly payments. Once you are done with your training and GET A TEACHING JOB, we charge $390 per month over 10 months. You will not be charged $390 per month until you have started teaching. Be careful when comparing program costs, because some programs will charge you the full program amount even if you do not find a teaching job.

Is There A Teacher Shortage In Texas?

As of June 2021, Texas is experiencing a shortage of teachers and substitute teachers due to COVID-19 quarantine or isolation. There also aren't enough teachers to choose from for certain school districts, which is causing them to panic for next school year. With the new testing rule going into effect, many teachers are not eligible to teach because they have not taken their content tests. We go into more detail in our article “Why a teacher shortage may get worse”.

How Long Is A Texas Teachers Program?

The requirements that you need to meet to receive a Texas teacher certification are 300 hours of online and/or in-person training. Of these, 30 must be dedicated to observation of a certified teacher in the classroom environment. This is often called “field-based experience.” Learn more about teacher training programs in our article “Education And Training Needed To Become A Teacher”.

What Tests Do I Need To Take To Become A Teacher?

There are many different tests that you will need to take in order to become a teacher in Texas. The required tests to become a Certified Teacher in Texas will be your Content Exams and your PPR Exam. These tests will vary based on the subject that you want to teach. To learn more about these tests and all of the other exams that may be required view our article “ List Of Texas Teacher Certification Tests: What You Must Take To Teach”.

What Is The TxtPact Exam?

You only need to take this exam if you do not meet eligibility requirements for admission into an alternative teacher certification program. Not everyone will need the TxPACT exam. You are required to take a TxPACT for admission into an educator preparation program (EPP) if:

You have a grade point average that falls below a 2.5 or
You have not completed at least 12 semester credit hours in the subject area you wish to teach (15 hours if seeking certification in math or science at the 7th grade level or above).

To take the TxPACT, you must hold a bachelor’s degree or be within the last semester of receiving a bachelor’s degree, according to the Texas Education Agency. To learn more about this test, view our article “ List Of Texas Teacher Certification Tests: What You Must Take To Teach” and go to the TxtPact section of the article.

Does GPA Matter For Teaching?

If you are being admitted into a certification program with a Bachelor’s Degree, then your GPA is going to matter. You must have:

Minimum 2.6 GPA posted on official transcript from an accredited institution
Minimum 2.5 GPA in all coursework associated with the area of certification applied

View Admission Requirements With A Degree

If you are being admitted with an Associate’s Degree then you must have 2 years of full-time wage earned experience within the last 10 years. And if you are being admitted with a High School Diploma, you must have 5 years of full-time experience within 10 years.

View Admission Requirements Without A Degree

What Type Of Teacher Is In Highest Demand?

The most in-demand teaching jobs in Texas are:

Bilingual Teacher and English As A Second Language Teachers
CTE Education
STEM Teachers
Special Education Teachers

To learn more about these positions and in-demand teaching jobs click here.

Can I Teach In Texas Without A Certification?

No, you may not teach in Texas without certification. Learn more about the requirements of becoming a Texas teacher here.

ECAP is an outstanding program. They will work very closely with you during your alternate certification process. I left another program for ECAP because they were so much more personal. Anything I didn't understand or needed help with I could call and they would help immediately. I highly recommend ECAP to everyone.

Micahel Z.

The materials they provide you with are resourceful and help you be successful throughout your first year of teaching. I felt prepared and supported before taking my exams. I learned so much and I loved the ease of the program.

Thank you, ECAP!

Sarah B.

Excellent organization; very attentive to the needs of the teacher interns. Works diligently to prepare and assist teachers throughout the certification process. Some former interns have gone on to become "teacher of the year, instructional specialists, administrators, etc."

Antonio G.

My son received his teacher certification through ECAP and is very appreciative of the support he got from the staff. He was named "Teacher of the Year" and is now an assistant principal. ECAP is an outstanding organization!

Diane A.

ECAP goes above and beyond to help people enter the teaching profession. They are former teachers and administrators that understand the classroom. I highly recommend ECAP because they are the first and most experienced in alternative teaching certification.

Timothy K.

Awesome program, they gave me the tools I needed to be successful in the classroom from Day 1. I could not have asked for a better program from the core staff to my adviser. The program was seamless and incredibly efficient. I would recommend this program to anyone wanting to teach.

Jane L.

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ARE YOU READY
TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Your Path to Getting a Texas Teacher Certification Starts Here

Degree