Texas Requirements & Process for Certification

To be recommended for educator certification a candidate must:

• Successfully complete all requirements for a degree that leads to certification (initial or professional)*
• Successfully complete all required official TExES testing
• Apply for certification in Texas:
  • Go to TEA -Texas Certification Agency
  • Click on “TEAL Login” (in the blue at the top of the page)
  • Log into the system with your username and password (If you have difficulty logging in please call the Region 12 Education Service Center at 254-297-1286, 254-297-1231; or 254-297-1226)
  • Click on “Educator”
  • Click on “Applications” on the left hand side of the page
  • Select “Standard Certificate Texas Program”
  • Follow the instructions to apply for certification
  • Pay by credit card online or print the fee remittance form, and mail with the appropriate payment
  • Begin the criminal background check process while on-line:
    • The applicant will receive an email from TEA that will contain a document (FAST Pass) that will allow them to use the vendor’s digital services and provide information needed to complete the fingerprinting
    • Applicants will be required to pay the vendor a fee for the fingerprinting service

*Certification is not complete until the student graduates.

As cited in HB 1508, a student is not eligible for any refund of tuition or fees if they are unwilling or unable to complete Field Based Experiences, Clinical Teaching and/or take or pass the Texas Certification Examinations or are excluded from certification.

For questions regarding certification please contact Sandra Parnell at Sandra_Parnell@baylor.edu, 254-710-6153, or come by MMSCI 216.