TESTING

Candidates pursuing Texas Teacher Certification, must complete College of Education Educator Preparation Program (EPP) requirements which include passing the appropriate Texas Examinations for Educator Standards (TExES). To ensure that candidates have assessed their skills and knowledge to perform adequately on the state certification exams, the EPP requires students to first pass qualifying exams. Upon successful completion of the qualifying exams, students will receive clearance to attempt the appropriate TExES tests. In addition to completing all other program requirements, candidates must successfully complete all applicable TExES exams required for their area of certification to participate in Residency/Student Teaching.

Recent State Testing Changes:

Effective September 1, 2015, per Texas Education Code §21.048, candidates are limited to 5 attempts to pass a certification examination.

Effective September 1, 2018, all attempts of the same examination, no matter when they occurred, will count toward the 5-attempt testing limit regardless of when the examination was first attempted. Candidates who took certification examinations before September 1, 2015 and have not yet passed those examinations will find more information in the candidate guidance document.

Effective July 1, 2026, TExES content exam approval will be regulated by meeting passing standards of a Proctored Qualifying Exam, administered at the University of Texas at El Paso. Approval for Supplemental Exams will continue to be approved by completing 240 Tutoring materials. 

Candidates who reach the 5-attempt testing limit and wish to retest, must apply for a test-limit waiver from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

Testing Accommodations for Test Takers with Disabilities or Health-Related Needs:

Candidates who would like to request testing accommodations for TExES tests, click here.