Certification Procedures
- Teacher Certification Procedure
- Admission to the Educator Preparation Program
- TExES Eligibility and Registration Procedures
- Applying for Teacher Certification Online
- Recommendation for Certification
- Fingerprinting
Teacher Certification Procedure
Students desiring teacher certification at the levels of Early Childhood to Grade 4, Grades 4-8, Grades 8-12 or all levels are required to complete the following procedures:
- Admission to the Educator Preparation Program
- Completion of the certification program
- Approval to take the appropriate TExES exams
- Recommendation for certification
Admission to the Educator Preparation Program
Candidates apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) when they have completed 60 semester credit hours. Admission to the EPP is required for registration in upper-level education classes.
At the time of application to the Educator Preparation Program, all applicants must demonstrate that they have:
- Completed 60 semester credit hours (SCH) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50
- Completed at least 12 SCH in their major/teaching field coursework with no grade lower than a C and a GPA greater than 2.50
- Completed the coursework to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, mathematics and communication. To demonstrate proficiency, the candidate must complete the following courses with a grade of C or better:
- Reading proficiency - History 1301, 1302 or Government 2301, 2302
- Writing proficiency - English 1301, 1302
- Mathematics proficiency - Mathematics 1302 or an equivalent course
- Communication proficiency - Communication 2301 or 2331
- Met the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI). The TSI skill requirements are normally met at the time of admission to the university or through required coursework. For more information about the TSI, visit the Angelo State University TSI Web site.
- Acceptable teacher behavior. Candidates will be evaluated on these behaviors through the assessment of teacher dispositions. At the point of admission to the Educator Preparation Program, students are required to review and accept the unit's dispositions.
TExES Eligibility and Registration Procedures
For ASU students to be eligible to take the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES), they must have completed the approved certification program requirements for each examination they wish to take. Individuals should consult with the appropriate ASU department or college concerning certification program requirements.
TExES Registration Procedure
- Report to the ASU college or department responsible for your teacher certification area to determine your eligibility (i.e., the Kinesiology Department for All-Level P.E.). Ask a representative to send a notice of your approval to Cindy Pond in the College of Education Certification Office. This approval can be sent via e-mail to Cindy.Pond@angelo.edu or through campus mail.
- After your certification area department has notified us that you are eligible to take the test(s), visit the Certification Office (CARR 109) to complete a form that will allow us to upload your test approval to the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC).
- One day after the approval has been uploaded, you may go online to the SBEC to register for the test(s). A credit card is necessary to complete the registration. You must have a valid Texas Education Agency ID number before you can register. For more information, read these certification test registration instructions.
Applying for Teacher Certification Online
Candidates can now apply directly to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to process their teaching certificate applications. Once a candidate has applied, the SBEC will make that information available to ASU. The university will then confirm in which area(s) the candidate is eligible for a teaching certificate.
To apply for a teaching certificate, you must have Internet access:
- Go to the SBEC Web site.
- Select SBEC Online for Educators at the top of the page.
- Choose New User? Create New Account.
- Fill in your last name, social security number and date of birth. Under Application Applying For select Candidate Participating in an Educator Preparation Program. Then hit the Search button at the bottom of the page. The SBEC now searches its records to make sure you do not already have an account established.
- Next, you will be asked to complete a form to set up a new user account. After completing that form, you will establish a user name and password to use each time you log in to SBEC.
- Once you are logged in, you will be assigned a TEA ID number. Write down the number. You will need it to set up an account with the Education Testing Service (ETS) so you can register for certification exams.
- Choose Application in the menu, then Standard Certificate Texas Program, and then Apply for Certification. Follow the steps to complete your application.
Payment must be made online with credit card or electronic check.
If you have questions, you may call the SBEC help line at 1-888-863-5880. If you need further assistance, stop by the College of Education Certification Office in the Carr Building, Room 109.
Recommendation for Certification
For the certification officer to recommend a student for certification, the student must have earned at least a 2.50 overall grade point average and must have completed all required courses in his/her teacher certification areas with a grade point average of at least 2.50 and no grade lower than a C. In addition, the student must have earned at least a 2.50 grade point average in all advanced education and reading courses.
All other university requirements must also be completed. The student must also continue to demonstrate sound physical health, sound mental health and acceptable moral character.
It is the student's responsibility to inform the College of Education that all certification requirements have been completed and ensure that all appropriate forms and fees have been submitted. The student must also present satisfactory scores on all required Texas certification tests. Students must apply for certification online at the State Board for Educator Certification Web site.
Required Fingerprinting of Applicants for Certification
All students who are applying for a teaching certificate through the State Board of Educator Certification must submit their fingerprints for review by state and national law enforcement agencies. San Angelo now has an electronic fingerprint vendor, so we strongly recommend that you apply for the DPS-approved electronic option for fingerprinting. For more information on fingerprinting, visit the SBEC Web site.
