Guidelines for Obtaining Texas Certification

1. Guidelines for Obtaining Texas Certification (For Professionals with Out-of-State Teaching Credentials)

2. Guidelines for Obtaining Texas Certification • Purpose • Application Process • Glossary & Resources

3. Purpose 1. Provide holders of out-of-state-credentials an overview of the process for obtaining Texas certification 2. Establish state and district requirements and timelines for obtaining Texas certification 3. Address questions about initiating the certification process in Texas 4. Provide resource and contact information regarding Texas certification

5. Application Process Overview Out-of-State Certification Satisfy state (and university, if applicable) requirements and obtain teaching credentials from state outside of Texas.

6. A valid out-of-state teaching certificate is required.

7. Application Process (con’t.) • Before seeking a position in LISD, complete SBEC’s Review of Credentials and apply for a one-year certificate from SBEC.

8. Copies of transcripts, teaching credentials, and other required documents should be sent to SBEC as soon as possible.

9. The SBEC Review of Credentials (ROC) will result in an education plan that identifies the exams required for Texas certification.

10. Application for certification, submission of fingerprints as a part of the background check, and payment of all required fees are necessary before a one year nonrenewable certificate will be issued. This process will begin once the Review of Credentials has been completed.

11. Go to www.sbec.state.tx.us

12. Application Process Overview (con’t.) Testing: Establishing Eligibility for a Texas Standard Certificate Certified applicants holding out-of-state credentials must complete all requirements in the certification plan prepared by SBEC in order to establish eligibility for the Texas Standard Certificate. The basic requirements are to take a pass the appropriate certification examination, complete a criminal background check, and pay all required fees.

13. A list of approved examinations can be obtained from SBEC. Verification of passing the selected tests is required as a part of the ROC process.

14. Registration for an exam prior to receiving the SBEC plan is always at the teacher’s own risk.

15. Certification exams are administered in October, December, February, April and June.

16. Results are released three to four weeks after test administration.

17. Online testing is available for some exams on a limited basis.

18. Applying for Texas Standard Certification A 5 year renewable Texas standard certification is available upon passing the appropriate certification exam(s).

19. You must apply for a Texas Standard Teaching Certificate.

20. Important Reminders • You must hold a current out-of-state teaching credential before you can apply for a teaching certificate in Texas. • Lewisville ISD will consider only out-of-state applicants with a valid Texas credential. • The Texas one year teaching certificate will cover only one school year, and is non-renewable.

21. Important Reminders (con’t.) • LISD teachers are required to register for the appropriate certification exam at the earliest administration date. • The SBEC Plan will indicate the required certification exams that should be taken to obtain Texas certification.

22. Important Reminders (con’t.) • After passing the recommended exams, it is necessary to apply for the Texas 5 year renewable Standard Certificate.

23. Checklist for Obtaining Certification based on Credentials from Outside Texas • Create an account with SBEC • Submit credentials to SBEC for review • Follow guidelines of SBEC certification plan • Apply to SBEC for one-year nonrenewable certificate • Request/Complete finger print materials from SBEC Note: Digital fingerprinting is required.

24. Pay all fees associated with fingerprinting and certification • Register for appropriate certification exam(s) • Apply and submit fees for Texas Standard Certificate upon passing certification exam(s)

26. Glossary and Resources • State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) • Texas Education Agency (TEA) • Local Education Agency (LEA) • TExES/ExCET • Texas Teacher Certification (Types) • Educational Testing Service (ETS) • Certification Officer • NBLC “Highly Qualified” • Application Process • Review of Credentials (ROC) • Digital Finger Printing FAST Program

27. State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) State agency charged with the authority and responsibility to review credentials and certify educators to teach in the state of Texas. www.sbec.state.tx.us Phone: 1-888-863-5880 for Information and Support.

28. Texas Education Agency The Texas Education Agency can be contacted at the following: 1701 North Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701 (512) 462-9734 www.tea.state.tx.us

29. Educational Testing Service Agency responsible for administration of paper-based and computer administered certification examinations. Contact for test dates, locations, and registration information at 1-866-902-5922 or www.texes.ets.org For detailed directions to online registration, click on the following: State Testing Process **[link to power point goes here]

30. Digital Finger Printing FAST Program Since October 1,2003 new applicants for educator credentials have been required to submit fingerprints to SBEC so that a national background check can be conducted by the FBI. On June 7, 2006 TEA authorized the implementation of Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) to facilitate this requirement. When an educator makes application to SBEC, he/she will be sent information regarding the FAST option along with a FAST pass that will allow the use of the DPS vendor (Identix) for fingerprinting purposes. LISD strongly encourages applicants to the district to make use of the DPS vendor.