Overview and Information
To request that an exam be opened, candidates must submit a TExES Exam Request Form.
Teacher candidates have the option of submitting an online request form found at the following link: TExES Exam Request Form for Teacher Candidates.
The Certification Officer reviews all requests and if the request is approved, the candidate receives an email with information on how to register for the exam. If the request is denied, the candidate receives an email explaining the denial.
Questions about the TExES exams should be directed as follows:
- For teacher certification exams: Julie McDevitt, jmcdevitt@tamusa.edu
- For Educational Diagnostician: Dr. Eric Lopez, elopez@tamusa.edu
- For Principal: Dr. W. Sean Kearney, wkearney@tamusa.edu
- For Reading Specialist: Dr. Rebekah Piper, rebekah.piper@tamusa.edu
- For School Counseling: Dr. Carla Smith, csmith1@tamusa.edu
Click here for a listing of Certification Requirements for each certificate area.
Required TExES Exams for Graduate-Level Certification Areas
Certification Area |
Required TExES Exams |
Educational Diagnostician |
Educational Diagnostician (253) |
Principal |
Principal as Instructional Leader (268) and Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) |
Reading Specialist |
Reading Specialist (151) |
School Counselor |
School Counselor (252) |
Required TExES Exams for Teacher Certification Areas
Certification Area |
Required TExES Exams |
Core Subjects EC-6 with Science of Teaching Reading |
|
Core Subjects EC-6 with Science of Teaching Reading and Special Education[1] EC-12 |
|
Core Subjects EC-6 with Science of Teaching Reading and Bilingual Education Supplemental |
|
Core Subjects 4-8 with Science of Teaching Reading |
|
Core Subjects 4-8 with Science of Teaching Reading and Special Education EC-12 |
|
Core Subjects 4-8 with Science of Teaching Reading and Bilingual Education Supplemental |
|
Secondary Content Areas (7-12) |
The content exam for the concentration area:
-and- Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) (160) |
All-Level Content Areas (EC-12) |
The content exam for the concentration area:
- and- Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) (160) |
[1] TAMU-SA does not offer a stand-alone degree plan for Special Education EC-12 at this time. However, students may seek dual certification in the content area of interest and Special Education EC-12.
Science of Teaching Reading Exam (293) for Teacher Candidates
Beginning January 1, 2021 all teacher candidates who are seeking a standard certificate in the following certification areas will be required to take the new Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam. For more information please visit the TEA STR website found at: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certification/educator-testing/the-science-of-teaching-reading-str-exam
- Early Childhood: EC-3
- Core Subjects with STR: EC-6
- Core Subjects with STR: 4-8
- ELAR with STR: 4-8
- ELAR/SS with STR: 4-8
Practice Test Information for Teacher Candidates
All coursework for Elementary and Secondary Education majors plays an integral part in your success on certification exams. It is important to understand the importance of retaining course information for study purposes. Please keep all notes and other important information from your courses.
The TExES Practice Exams are required for any student who needs to take TExES Exams.
The Exams Policies and Procedures for Current Students can be accessed by clicking here.
The Exams Policies and Procedures for Former Students can be accessed by clicking here.
Exam Reminders for Teacher Candidates
1. Candidates must complete a TExES Exam Request Form to have a TExES exam opened. The Test Approval Request can be accessed by clicking here. The Educator CAFE has to open TExES Exams for any candidates who do not have a Standard Certificate.
2. The Educator CAFE will only open one (1) TExES exam at a time for candidates. Bilingual students need to obtain bilingual faculty approval to take the BTLPT. The BTLPT can be opened at any time with faculty approval.
3. Candidates are required to pass their content TExES exam before taking the PPR exam.
4. There is a 30-day waiting period to retake TExES exams.