Are you a certified teacher in Tennessee dreaming of making the move to the Lone Star State? If you’re wondering whether your Tennessee teaching certification will allow you to step into a Texas classroom, you’re not alone. Many educators find themselves navigating the complexities of interstate certification transfers.

The good news is yes, you can teach in the Lone Star state with Tennessee certification.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the process and provide you with exact online resources to get started with the transition. Let’s dive into what you need to know to teach in Texas!

Does Texas Accept Teachers With Tennessee Certificates And Degrees?

Whether or not a state accepts teachers from other US states depends on the reciprocity agreements. These agreements allow educators to switch from one state to another without extra evaluation.

Unfortunately, Texas doesn’t have direct reciprocity with any other state. This means you can’t directly transfer your Tennessee credentials over to Texas and start teaching. But that’s not the end of the road.

Although Texas doesn’t have direct reciprocity with Tennessee, it is part of the Interstate Agreement for Reciprocity in Education (NASDTEC), which means your Tennessee teaching certification can be transferred. This agreement simplifies the process for teachers from participating states, like Tennessee, to transition into teaching roles in Texas.

Core Teaching Requirements in Texas

Anyone who wishes to teach in Texas must fulfill certain requirements. Although these aren’t radically different from Tennessee requirements, it is essential that you know about the exact requirements.

The core requirements are:

• Bachelor’s Degree – You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. This degree can be in any subject area.
• Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) – TPP programs will equip you with the necessary teaching skills and knowledge.
• Certification Exams – These exams assess your knowledge of teaching methods, subject matter, and professional responsibilities.

Other requirements:

• Background check – You’ll need to undergo a thorough background check.
• Fingerprinting – Get fingerprinted as part of the certification process.
• Teaching experience – Some programs may require a certain amount of teaching experience, often gained through student teaching or other relevant experiences.

Steps To Transition To Texas With Tennessee Certification

Now, let’s go over the exact steps to teach in Texas with Tennessee credentials.

1.    Hold a bachelor’s degree

The foundation of any Texas teaching certification is a bachelor’s degree. Thus, in case don’t have earned your bachelor’s degree yet, complete it first and then proceed with the next steps.

2.    Complete an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP)

Texas mandates that all teachers complete an EPP designed to equip them with the skills, pedagogy, and content knowledge required for effective teaching.

If you completed a state-approved teacher preparation program back in Tennessee, you’ll need to provide documentation, such as transcripts and certification program completion letters, to TEA for review. TEA will assess whether your program aligns with Texas requirements. If additional training is needed, you may be required to complete supplementary coursework through a Texas-approved EPP.

3.    Pass the required Texas certification exams

Even with an out-of-state certification, all teachers in Texas must demonstrate proficiency in both content and pedagogy by passing the required certification exams. This typically involves:

• Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES): These exams assess your content knowledge and teaching abilities. Depending on your area of certification, you’ll need to pass subject-specific TExES exams, such as Generalist EC-6, Science 7-12, or ESL Supplemental.
• Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) Exam: This test measures your understanding of teaching methodologies, classroom management, and professional practices.
• You may already have passed similar tests in Tennessee, but Texas often requires candidates to take the TExES exams to meet state standards.

4.    Apply for your Texas teacher certification

Once your degree and certification exam requirements are met, the next step is to apply for a Texas teaching certificate. This can be done through the TEA’s online Educator Certification Online System (ECOS). During the application process, you’ll submit:

• Out-of-state teaching certificate (Tennessee certification in your case)
• Proof of degree and EPP completion
• Exam scores from any required tests

Be prepared to pay the required certification fee and provide all necessary documentation in a timely manner. The TEA will review your credentials and issue your Texas certification once all requirements are fulfilled.

5.    Submit transcripts for review

As already mentioned, you have to submit your official transcripts for review in Texas. For this, you will need to use the Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL) system, which manages all educator certification applications.

If you don’t already have a TEAL account, visit the TEA’s TEAL login page and create an account. This system is where you’ll manage your certification application, submit required documents, and track the status of your certification.

Once your TEAL account is created, log in and select the “Educator” tab. From there, you will be directed to the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS). ECOS is where you’ll submit all certification documents, including your official transcripts.

6.    Fingerprinting and Background Check

Texas requires all educators to undergo a fingerprinting process and criminal background check before teaching in public schools. This is mandatory, even if you completed a similar process in Tennessee. The fingerprinting process must be done through an authorized vendor, and it helps ensure the safety and security of Texas students. You can begin the fingerprinting process once your application is submitted through the ECOS.

7.    Meet any additional Texas-specific requirements

While your Tennessee certification is a valuable asset, you may be asked to meet certain Texas-specific requirements, especially if your current certification does not fully align with Texas standards.

For example, educators seeking bilingual or special education certifications may need to complete additional exams or training. The TEA may also require you to take the Texas state pedagogy exam if the equivalent test taken in Tennessee doesn’t meet their standards.

8.    One-Year Temporary Certification

If you’ve met most of the requirements but need time to complete a Texas-specific exam or other criteria, TEA may issue a one-year, non-renewable temporary certificate. This certificate allows you to teach in Texas while completing the remaining steps to earn your full Texas certification. This is an excellent option for educators ready to begin teaching while finalizing their certification process. Click here to learn more about probationary certificates.

9.    Apply For Jobs

The last step is to apply for available teaching jobs in Texas. You can find them inside your TEAL account or on job boards like Indeed, Monster, and LinkedIn. Apply for the jobs, pass the interview, and land your desired teaching job in Texas.

Become a teacher in Texas with a Tennessee certification with TeacherBuilder.com!

While transitioning from a Tennessee teaching certification to Texas may seem complex at first, the process is manageable with the right steps. Now that you have the right steps, it’s time to take action.

TeacherBuilder.com makes teaching in Texas easy! Our TEA-approved online certification program is fast, flexible, and affordable—perfect for out-of-state teachers looking to transfer their skills. With expert guidance and a self-paced approach, we’ll help you navigate the process and help you teach in Texas. Contact us today to get started on your Texas teaching journey!

Disclaimer

This article does not contain legal, educational, or government advice. As regulations can change from time to time, readers are advised to check with their local education departments to receive up-to-date information.