Certification & Testing FAQs

This varies depending on what area you want to teach. All teacher candidates must demonstrate mastery of their content field (TExES Content Exam) and Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (TExES PPR exam). Additionally, all Early Childhood PK-3, EC-6 Core Subjects, 4-8 Core Subjects, and 4-8 English Language Arts and Reading teacher candidates must demonstrate mastery on the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam.

Test takers are limited to 5 attempts on any certification test under Texas Education Code § 21.048(a-1).

Test Limit Waiver Information

All teacher candidates must pass the required TExES exam(s) for their content area prior to their student teaching or final Yearlong Residency semester. This includes the Science of Teaching and Reading (STR) test for PK-3, EC-6, 4-8 core and 4-8 ELAR teacher candidates.

Candidates must take the benchmarks appropriate for their discipline throughout the program. Once a teacher candidate makes an 80% or higher on the content exam benchmark, approval may be given by the content department to take the actual TExES exam.

Teacher Candidates should send the score report with a score of 80% or better to EDU_EdPrep@shsu.edu for TExES testing approval.

Practice TExES are offered through Certify Teacher and 240tutoring.

The College of Education Testing Support Center offers a variety of study materials

Online at http://www.tx.nesinc.com/Home.aspx

You can take your certification exam anywhere it is offered worldwide. When you register for your certification exam select your testing location, date, and time.

You can also view the TExES Registration which contains:

• preparation materials
• updated program policies
• tests offered
• test dates
• registration information, steps and deadlines
• fees and payment policies
• identification (ID) requirements
• test center procedures
• score reporting information

Candidates that have passed ALL TExES and completed their program (usually at the end of Yearlong Residency, student teaching, or internship).

Candidates can apply for certification when they have completed their program (usually at the end of Yearlong Residency, student teaching or internship) and passed all TExES.

You can apply for certification via TEAL

Certification may take several business days. Candidates must have their fingerprints cleared by TEA to be certified. Candidates without fingerprints in TEA's database will be prompted on next steps. Candidates with fingerprints on file are typically certified more quickly.

After SHSU recommends the candidate, and TEA issues the certificate, it will be available online.

For information about additional certifications go to the TEA website.