Certification Resource Updates and Commissioner Rule Changes

The following certification and licensing documents have been updated in the HR Services Resource Library to reflect legislation adopted during the 89th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature.

• Qualifying an Uncertified Teacher: Updates were made to the school district teaching permit section to include the use of this permit for a paraprofessional serving as a teacher of record who meets specific education requirements. The district of innovation (DOI) section was edited to reflect the discontinuation of a certification exemption for a foundation curriculum course and the requirement to submit a plan to delay this implementation. Lastly, the Special Education HOUSSE Option was replaced with the new special education competency option effective September 1, 2025.
• District of Innovation Exemption: The updates to this document include the addition of Texas Education Code (TEC) § 21.0032 addressing the nonallowable certification exemption for foundation curriculum courses. Information is provided to guide districts in submitting their certification plan to delay the implementation of this restriction. It also identifies the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) parental notification as no longer being eligible for exemption in a district’s DOI plan.
• Licensed Employees: This document has been edited to identify the state of Texas as a participant in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) program to facilitate interstate practice and regulations of licensed nurses. Reference to a licensed specialist in school psychology was replaced with school psychologist. Finally, legislative changes made to Texas Occupation Code § 55.004 and § 55.0041 outlining recognition of out-of-state licenses for military service members, military veterans, and military spouses have been updated.
• Military Community and First Responders Certification: Information was added to cross-reference the information provided in the Licensed Employees document.

Adopted amendments to 19 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 102 concerning innovation districts have been published and will be effective January 8, 2026. Included in the amendments update is the list of prohibited DOI exemptions including TEC § 21.0032 (teachers serving in a foundation curriculum course) and § 21.057 (SBEC parental notification).