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Out-of-State Educator Test Exemption Review

Educators certified outside of Texas may be eligible for exemption from some or all Texas certification exams. This process allows qualified applicants to have their credentials evaluated based on comparable certification, teaching experience, and exams completed outside of Texas. To begin, applicants must first submit a Review of Credentials application as outlined on the Out-of-State Certified Educators page on the website.

To qualify for test exemption, you must provide:

  • A valid standard certificate from a U.S. state or foreign country that is equivalent to a Texas standard classroom or professional certificate.
  • Verified documentation of acceptable experience in classroom teaching, administration (superintendent and principal), or student support services (school counselor, school librarian, educational diagnostician, and reading specialist).
  • Proof of completed certification exams that were required in your state or country of licensure.

The applicable rule can be found in the Texas Administrative Code , which outlines exceptions to examination requirements for individuals certified outside the state.

Required Documents for Test Exemption

To streamline the licensure transfer process, certified educators applying for a review of their out-of-state credentials may simultaneously request an exemption from the required Texas certification exams.

There are two available options for consideration, each with its own eligibility criteria and required documentation.

Eligibility for a test exemption will be determined as part of the formal credentials review process. To ensure accurate determination, staff are only able to confirm exemption eligibility after reviewing the submitted documentation.

Option 1: Experience-Based Exemption

You may be eligible for a test exemption if you have three or more years of verifiable experience in the role of a classroom teacher, student support services, or administration.

Required items for a review:

Application instructions for the credentials review can be found on the Out-of-State Certified Educators page on the website.

  • Download the PDF  or version of the Verification of Educator Experience for Test Exemption form and provide it to your current or previous employer.
  • The completed form must be submitted by the employing school where the service was performed, via email to OSC75@tea.texas.gov.
  • Required only if your experience was obtained in a private school or through an entity outside the United States.
  • Download the Verification of Accreditation Status for Test Exemptions form (PDF or version) and provide it to your current or previous employer to submit to following the instructions at the bottom of the page.

Option 2: Test-Based Exemption + Experience

Applicants may qualify for test exemption if they have previously passed licensure exams in another state that were required for certification. To be eligible under this option, applicants must also have at least one year of experience as a classroom teacher. For applicants pursuing administrative or student service certificates, a minimum of two years of experience in the role is required.

Required items for review:

Application instructions for the credentials review can be found on the Out-of-State Certified Educators page on the website.

Complete one of the actions below:

  • Download the PDF version or of the Official Certification & Test Verification for Educators Certified Outside of Texas form and ask your state licensing agency to complete the required portions and follow submission instructions found at the end of page two; or
  • Upload your official test score reports to the “My Documents” tab in your ECOS account.
  • Download the PDF or version of the Verification of Educator Experience for Test Exemption form and provide it to your current or previous employer.
  • The completed form must be submitted by the employing school where the experience was completed, via email to OSC75@tea.texas.gov.

Required experience:

  • Classroom teachers: At least one academic year of verifiable, wage-earning, full-time experience.
  • Administrators and student service certificates: At least two academic years of verifiable, wage-earning, full-time experience in the certificate area.
  • Required only if your experience was obtained in a private school or through an entity outside the United States.
  • Download the Accreditation Verification Form (PDF or version) and provide it to your current or previous employer to submit to following the instructions at the bottom of the page.

Forms must be submitted directly by the verifying entity. To check whether your form has been received, go to the “My Documents” tab on the left side of your Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) account to see if it is in the list of documents uploaded. 

If you do not see the form listed there, we recommend reaching out to the verifying entity to confirm whether it has been sent.

 

Science of Teaching Reading (STR) Exam Exemption

If your certification area falls within certain grade levels or subject areas, you may be required to take the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam as part of your Texas certification process. This requirement, established by House Bill 3 during the 86th Texas Legislative Session, took effect on January 1, 2021 and applies if your credentials are successfully reviewed for any of the areas listed:

  • Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Early Childhood–Grade 6
  • Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8
  • English Language Arts and Reading with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8
  • English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8 

has identified a list of other states with comparable exams in 19 TAC Chapter 152, §152.1001(c)(2)(B).  If your state is listed, refer to Option 2, Step 2 for next steps.  If your state is not listed, and you were required to pass a reading exam for issuance of certification, you may still submit your test scores for review.

Classroom teaching experience alone does not qualify an applicant for exemption from the STR exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your country does not issue teacher certificates that are officially signed by a recognized department or ministry of education, you will not qualify for a test exemption. In such cases, you must take and pass the appropriate Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) tests to obtain certification. The specific TExES exams required for your certification will be determined upon completion of your credentials review.

 

If you have taken content exams in two different states, please submit official score reports for each exam. They will be reviewed as part of your credentials review to determine if any of the exams meet Texas certification requirements or qualify you for test exemptions.

You have one year from the date you submit your Review of Credentials application to provide any additional documents for consideration. If all required documents are not received within this one-year period, your application will be closed. To proceed after that point, you will need to reapply and pay a new application fee.

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