Emergency Teacher Certification in Texas: Requirements & Programs

To work under an emergency teacher certification, an individual must meet certain eligibility requirements. These typically include having a bachelor's degree and/or have experience or training in the subject he or she will teach, passing a criminal background check, demonstrating good moral character, being at least 18 years old and speaking fluent English. Emergency permits are assigned on a hardship basis, with school systems who have experienced more or recent hardship being more likely to receive an emergency certification.

To earn a Texas teaching license, a person must hold a bachelor's degree appropriate for the subject and grade level he or she will teach and have completed a teacher training program. In addition, certification tests must be passed in the area in which the individual will teach.

Teachers can work towards meeting education requirements while working under an emergency certification and might be encouraged to do so if they want to keep their current position. If individuals already have a college degree that is not in the area they wish to teach, they can complete an accelerated or alternative program. This type of program allows the person to gain the appropriate education in his or her chosen subject area and the required teacher training.

There are a number of colleges and universities throughout the state of Texas that offer alternative certification programs for teachers working under emergency licenses and other nontraditional students. Some of these institutions include McLennan Community College, Houston Community College, Texas A&M University, Texas Lutheran University, Huston-Tillotson University, Prairie View A&M University, and the University of Houston - Downtown.

Teachers with Texas emergency teacher certification earn salaries similar to other teachers in Texas. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for an elementary school teacher in Texas as of May 2019 was $56,280. The median salary for a high school teacher in Texas in May 2019 was $58,000, also per the BLS. The BLS projects that jobs for teachers in the United States will grow by 4% during the decade from 2019 to 2029, which is as fast as average for jobs in the United States.

• What is an emergency teacher certification? An emergency teacher certification is a permit given to a school district by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification. It allows the school district to employ teachers who don't yet meet all of the requirements to become licensed in Texas in order to employ enough teachers to support their students.
• How can I earn Texas emergency teacher certification? Emergency teacher certification is earned by the school district or superintendent, not an individual teacher. To work under emergency teacher certification, you'll need to apply for a job in a school district that has been awarded this certification and also meet requirements like having a bachelor's degree, teaching experience, and passing a background check.
• Can I get my permanent license after earning emergency teacher certification? Yes, you can get your permanent teacher certification while working under emergency certification by passing a certification exam.
• Are there alternatives to emergency certification for teachers in Texas? Yes. Some colleges and universities like McLennan Community College, Houston Community College, Texas A&M University, and others offer programs to help teachers working under emergency certification earn a permanent license.

Although individual teachers are not awarded emergency licenses in Texas, they may work under those granted to institutions. These individuals can find permanent licensure educational opportunities at a variety of Texas institutions.