Want to teach in Texas but have graduated from Wisconsin? The answer is both yes and no.

While Texas doesn’t have teacher reciprocity with other states, out-of-state candidates can still teach in the Lone Star State. This is done by getting your teaching credentials reviewed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). If deemed sufficient, you are on your way to becoming a teacher in Texas.

Read on to learn more about the review process.

Requirements to Becoming a Teacher in Texas

Let’s start with the basics and understand what teachers need to pursue the teaching profession in the state.

If you’re considering a teaching career in Texas, there are specific steps and requirements you’ll need to fulfill.

A Bachelor’s Degree

On the education front, you’d need at least a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree demonstrates your commitment to professional standards and your ability to meet the rigorous demands of the teaching profession.

Ideally, you should major in the field of study you wish to teach in. For example, you must hold a Bachelor’s in Physics or a related field if you aim to become a physics teacher.

Some teaching roles also demand higher degrees like a master’s degree or a PhD. This depends on the school level and specific teaching requirements.

Teacher Certification Exam

Every aspiring teacher, irrespective of field of study, must pass the teacher certification assessments, known as the Texas Examinations for Educator Certification (TExES). TExES are a series of assessments administered by the TEA to determine a candidate’s readiness to teach in public schools. The exams measure your knowledge and skills in specific teaching areas, such as general education, mathematics, science, English, and special education.

Aspiring teachers are required to sit for TExES exams after completing their teacher education program. It’s generally recommended to take them as soon as possible after completing your coursework.

Texas Teaching License

A Texas teaching license is a professional credential that authorizes someone to teach in public schools within the state. It is issued by the Texas Education Agency and is required for all teachers working in public schools. Just like a driving license, it’s renewed at set intervals.

Out-of-State Teachers

Teachers who obtained their degrees and certifications from other states are collectively referred to as “out-of-state teachers.”

As already mentioned, Texas doesn’t have teachers’ reciprocity with other states. When a state has teacher reciprocity with another state, it means that teachers licensed in one state can typically transfer their license to the other state without having to undergo additional testing or certification processes.

However, Texas does not have teacher reciprocity with other states. This means that if you have a teaching license from Wisconsin, you will likely need to go through the full process of obtaining a Texas teaching license.

Step-By-Step Process to Teach in Texas with a Wisconsin Certificate

It is possible to teach in Texas with a Wisconsin certificate. But you’ll need to go through a process to become certified in Texas. Here’s an overview of the steps:

Create a TEAL account

TEAL or Texas Education Agency Login is your online portal to interact with the Texas Education Agency (TEA). It’s how the TEA recognizes you as a candidate.

First, head over to the TEA Login page and sign up by providing the necessary details. You will need to provide details about yourself, such as your name, educational information, email address, physical address, and ID information, among other things. Also, you may need to verify your account by clicking on a link sent to your email address.

After you’ve created an account, note that unauthorized access to the portal is prohibited. Thus, do not share your credentials with others.

Apply for a review of your credentials

The next step for teachers from Wisconsin is to apply the TEA’s Educator Certification Online System (ECOS). This is where you’ll provide details about your current teaching certification. You must set up access in TEAL before accessing the ECOS system.

The review of teaching credentials is a key part of the process for out-of-state teachers who want to teach in Texas. This review allows the TEA to determine if your current certification from another state, like Wisconsin, aligns with Texas’s requirements.

TEA will verify certain things like your teacher preparation program, teaching experience, and any standardized tests you’ve taken (like the Wisconsin Praxis exams).

After reviewing your application and teaching credentials, you will receive one of the following responses:

• Full certification – If your Wisconsin credentials are deemed equivalent to Texas requirements, you may be eligible for full certification without taking additional steps.
• One-year temporary certificate – If your certification is valid but you need to meet additional Texas-specific requirements (e.g., passing the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards, or TExES), you may be issued a temporary, one-year certificate. This allows you to teach while working to meet those requirements.
• Additional coursework or testing – In some cases, TEA may determine that you need to complete additional coursework or testing to meet Texas standards.

The entire review process may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the workload.

Pass the Texas certification exams

Unless you receive a full certification, you’ll have to pass the TExES exams. As already said, these check for subject-specific knowledge and pedagogical skills required for teaching in Texas public schools.

The exams vary depending on your teaching specialization (e.g., elementary education, special education, or secondary-level subjects like math or science).

If you qualify for a one-year temporary certificate, you can begin teaching in Texas while you prepare to take and pass the required TExES exams. This is a great option for out-of-state teachers who need more time to meet the testing requirements without delaying their employment.

Submit a state application

After you’re done with the required TExES exams, the next step is to submit a state application. This is done via the ECOS portal.

Successful candidates will have the option to submit the application. You may have to provide additional details like:

• Your out-of-state teaching certificate
• Official transcripts from your teacher preparation program and degree-granting institution
• Proof of teaching experience (if applicable)
• Copies of any teaching exams you’ve passed in your home state
• Additional documents, such as continuing education records or endorsements (if applicable)

This may take some hours, but it’s necessary to complete the step with accuracy.

Pass the background check

As a penultimate step, you’d have to successfully clear a background check. Texas places a strong emphasis on ensuring that all educators have a clean criminal history. This ensures the integrity of the education system.

After submitting your state application, you will receive instructions on how to schedule your fingerprinting appointment. Fingerprinting must be done through an authorized service provider, and the TEA will provide a link to the appropriate system where you can schedule your appointment.

In Texas, the criminal background check is conducted through fingerprinting. All teachers, including out-of-state applicants, are required to have their fingerprints taken. Fingerprints are run through both state (Texas Department of Public Safety) and federal (FBI) databases to screen for criminal history.

You’d also have to pay a fee which must be paid directly to the fingerprinting service provider.

Successful candidates can begin teaching in Texas.

Apply for available jobs

Lastly, you’d have to apply for the available jobs. You can search for jobs from within the TEAL account or access job portals like Indeed, Foundit, and LinkedIn. Apply for the available roles and land your dream teaching job in Texas.

Become a Texas Teacher With TeacherBuilder.com

Becoming a teacher in Texas with a Wisconsin certificate is a deeply rewarding journey. The dedication, patience, and love you bring to the classroom will shape the lives of countless students. While earning your degree, passing certification exams, and gaining hands-on experience may seem like big steps, each one helps you grow into the teacher you are meant to be.

If you are ready to take that first step toward a career in teaching, you don’t have to do it alone. At TeacherBuilder.com, we understand the challenges, and we are here to make the process easier for you. Our TEA-approved, fully online program offers a flexible, affordable path to earning your certification, all from the comfort of home. Contact us today to learn more.

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.