FAQ: Certification Timeline and Provisions

This Q&A addresses some common questions about certification including the new two-year intern certificate, processing time for out-of-state certificates, and adjustments to the temporary classroom assignment permit (TCAP). 

Overview

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, the intern certificate will increase from a maximum one-year period to a maximum two-year period. Additionally, the 89th Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 1178 which added Texas Education Code (TEC) § 21.0521 regarding the immediate issuance of a temporary certificate for out-of-state educators. Finally, some provisions formerly available for the TCAP option are no longer available.  

Questions and Answers

Q: How does the one-year versus the two-year intern certificate affect alternative certified program (ACP) teachers in my district?

A: The two-year intern certificate will be effective at the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year, but according to the July 15, 2026, edition of the Texas Educator Preparation Program Newsletter, ACPs will be unable to submit a recommendation for this certificate until after August 2, 2026. In the meantime, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) is still issuing the one-year intern certificate.

The new two-year intern certificate provides the certification candidate an additional year to take and pass the pedagogy and professional responsibilities examination required for their probationary certificate.

Be patient with the ACPs. Pushing the program to submit a recommendation prior to August 2, 2026, may limit the candidate’s certification options when moving through the different certificate classes.  

Q: Why does it take six to eight weeks to issue an out-of-state teacher a temporary certificate?

A: Several districts have recently expressed concerns with the amount of time it is taking for out-of-state hires to receive a Texas temporary non-renewable certificate. Legislation passed and was implemented to speed up the process, but other factors must be considered. Processing time is currently running six to eight weeks.

Whenever an individual submits their out-of-state credentials, it initiates the review process. As of publication date, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has a team of four license and permit specialists actively reviewing over 1,000 applications in the order they were received.

A detailed out-of-state application checklist can be found on the TEA Out-of-State Certified Educators webpage. Once the review process is complete, the applicant can view the results letter found on the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) in the “My Documents” section. The letter will include next steps.

In addition to applying for a non-renewable one-year certificate, the applicant must also undergo a national criminal background check by submitting payment to TEA.

A district has additional options to qualify an out-of-state teacher who is waiting for their non-renewable one-year certificate. If applicable, the district could use its District of Innovation (DOI) exemption. This flexibility will be greater for districts that delayed implementation of the certification requirements for foundation curriculum courses until 2029-2030.

Another option is to apply for a certification waiver. Remember, this option requires board action and approval for submission of the waiver. And finally, hiring the individual as a substitute in the interim may serve as a viable option. 

Q: How many periods can a secondary teacher teach on a TCAP? What if the individual doesn’t meet the required course credits for the subject matter to be taught?

A: A TCAP allows an individual to teach up to four periods in a secondary classroom assignment outside of their area of certification for one year. The individual must have the required coursework on their transcript. For science and math, it is 15 credit hours, and for all other secondary subjects, it is 12 credit hours.

In the past, TEA provided a hardship option for an individual who did not meet the credit hour requirements or who was needed for more than four class periods. These provisions are no longer available. If the individual does not have the required credit hours for the subject to be taught or is needed for more than four periods on the master schedule, a TCAP may not be used.