Certifications
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If you are an employee with Waco ISD and need to add or update areas to your current certification, please notify Luis Ortiz. Your official certification will be verified with TEA and updates will be made in the Waco ISD system. TEA does not notify Waco ISD if you make changes, update or renew your certificate.
You may view your current certifications on file with Waco ISD in your Employee Service Center.
If you do not have a Bachelor’s degree, please go to the university of your choice with a teacher education program, and meet with an advisory to establish a degree plan. There are universities in our area that offer teaching certification programs.
Which certification is right for me?
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- EC-6*
- Must pass the Core Subjects EC-6 to teach any subject in grades PK to 6th, including P.E. and Fine Arts.
- 4-8*
- At this level, there are options from which to choose. If the Core Subjects 4-8 is passed, any core subject in grades 4-8 may be taught. In many schools with these grades, teachers are required to teach more than one subject. By testing in single content areas for grades 4-8, the teacher is limited to one subject which may reduce the number of opportunities for which to be considered.
- 7-12
- Must pass the content area test for the subject to be taught.
- Special Education EC-12
- For new special education teachers who will provide grades in core content areas, the special EC-12 education test as well as the content area test for the subject and grade level to be taught must be passed. Passing the Core Subjects EC-6 or 4-8 will enable the teacher to teach any subject within the range of the test(s) taken. For grades 7-12, in addition to passing the special education test, the content area test must also be passed. In situations where a teacher in grades 7-12 is not providing grades in core content areas, but is providing in-class support, then only the Special Education EC-12 test is required.
- EC-6*
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*Beginning 1/1/2021, the Science of Teaching Reading will be an additional required test for Core Subjects EC-6, Core Subjects 4-8, ELAR or ELAR/SS 4-8, and the EC-3 certificates. Certification requirements may be subject to change, so stay informed by remaining in contact with your University/ACP.
Section 21.003 of the Texas Education Code indicates that all individuals employed as a(n) teacher, librarian, educational aide, administrator, or counselor be certified according to state guidelines. The best source for information regarding certification is the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website certification page.
Teaching Certificates
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Adding Certification by Exam
If you already have a Texas standard teaching certification, and you have taken and passed an additional certification exam, please follow these steps to add your new certification area to your existing certificate:
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Log into your TEAL account and click the link to Additional Certification by Examination.
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You must submit the fee to TEA before your application will be processed. Only one fee is required to issue all certificates on this application.
Email Luis Oritz (luis.ortiz@wacoisd.org) to update your Waco ISD records.
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Being a Classroom Teacher in Texas
Please review the information available on the Texas Education Agency website for the requirements to become a certified teacher.
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Out-of-State Teaching Certificates
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will issue a Texas One-Year Certificate to those teachers who hold a valid teaching certificate from another state. Application for an evaluation of credentials and issuance of a Texas One-Year Certificate should be made through TEA. The contact number is 512-936-8400, or click here to visit the website.
Within the one year period, you will be required to take and pass the content test(s) for which you have approval as well as the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities test (#160)
If your Texas One-Year Certificate will expire soon, and you are ready to apply for your Standard Certificate, please follow these steps:
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Log into your TEAL account. Click on Applications and Out-of-State Applicants.
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On the next page, click Continue. Complete the Applicant’s Affidavit, and click Continue.
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Scroll to the bottom of the page to check the box for Standard Certificate – $78, and click to apply for certification.
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You must apply and pay the fee to TEA before your application will be processed. Only one fee is required to issue all certificates on the application.
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Alternative Certification Programs
Waco ISD will consider alternative certification candidates who have taken and passed the TExES certification exam in the appropriate content area. Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) are designed for persons who have a degree but do not have a teaching certificate. Waco ISD will work with any EPP program that has TEA approval. A list of approved EPPs can be found on the TEA website.
Please check with the program of your choice for information regarding certifications offered and application to the program. Most programs offer information sessions to review program requirements, eligibility, and costs. An educator must be hired as a full-time teacher to be eligible for the INTERN or PROBATIONARY certificate.
During the one year of the INTERN or PROBATIONARY certificate, the educator must complete all Educator Preparation Program (EPP) requirements and examinations. Once all Texas requirements are complete, educators may apply and pay online for a Standard Certificate by following these steps:
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Log into your TEAL account. Click on Applications and Standard Certificate Texas Program.
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On the next page, click Continue.
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Complete the Applicants Affidavit, select your EPP Entity from the available list, enter your certification area, and click Continue.
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Scroll to the end of the next page to check the box for the Standard Certificate $78, and click to apply for certification.
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You must submit the fee to TEA before the application will be processed. Only one fee is required for the standard certificate to include all certifications from the INTERN or PROBATIONARY certificate.
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Educational Aide Certificates
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Federal, state and local guidelines require an employed Educational Aide to hold a valid Educational Aide Certificate. The Education Aide Certificate is no longer available for renewal. The employee must submit an application and pay a $17 fee for a 2-year, non-renewable Educational Aide certificate on the Texas Education Agency website through the TEA Educator TEAL account.
TEAL Accounts
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To renew your certification or apply for certifications, you need a TEAL user account. Please see the information below to learn more about TEAL accounts.
