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Teacher Certifications

Interested in becoming a teacher or continuing your career in a fast-growing district? Princeton ISD is excited to support both alternative certification candidates and out-of-state certified teachers as they begin or continue their careers in education.

Alternative Certifications (Texas)

Alternative certification programs offer a nontraditional route to certification that may allow you to teach while completing the requirements. The following steps must be taken to receive certification to teach in Texas through an alternative certification program.
 
  1. Decide what you would like to teach
    Decide on the specific grade levels and subject areas you would like to teach. This decision determines the certificate you need, the program you need to enroll in, and the certification tests you need to take. The program you select will assist you in this process based on your degree, coursework and interests.
     
  2. Select an approved Texas Alternative Certification Program
    Alternative certification programs offer intensive classroom-focused training. Many of these programs can be completed in one year, during which time you may be able to teach as a paid intern with supervision and mentoring.
     
  3. Meet the screening criteria of the program
    Your program will advise you of entry requirements such as basic skills, GPA, and demonstration of content knowledge. 
     
  4. Develop a certification plan for your program
    Following acceptance into the program, you will meet with program staff who will advise you of specific training courses, an intership, tests and other program requirements.

    **Certification in some career and technical education areas may require previous experience and/or an industry-specific license.
     
  5. Obtain a teaching position​​​​​​​
    If your program has determined that you are eligible for a teaching internship based on your progress and completion of any appropriate tests, they will provide you with an eligibility statement for employment. You must secure a teaching assignment at the grade level and in the subject area of your target certificate. Once you have secured a position, you will have an experienced, certified mentor assigned to work with you and additional supervision will be provided by the program.
     
  6. Apply for a probationary certificate​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
    Once you have secured a teaching position for your internship, you must apply online for an intern or probationary certificate, valid for one calendar year, to meet state certification rules for you and the school.
     
  7. Complete all requirements for a standard certificate​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
    You must complete all program training, internship examinations and all other program requirements. If you do not complete all the requirements within one year, it is sometimes possible to extend the probationary certificate for up to two years. You may not teach more than three school years in Texas public schools on temporary credentials before receiving an initial standard certificate.
     
  8. Apply for the Standard Certificate​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
    Upon completion of all requirements, you must apply for a standard certificate online.

District of Innovation (DOI) Certification

Princeton ISD is a District of Innovation, which allows the district flexibility in hiring for certain teaching positions based on qualifications, experience, and campus needs.
 
Through our DOI plan, individuals who do not yet hold a Texas teaching certificate may be considered for select positions, particularly in hard-to-fill or high-demand areas.
 
Who may qualify?
A candidate may be eligible for consideration under DOI if they:
  • Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • Have relevant coursework, work experience or industry background in the subject area
  • Meet district hiring requirements
Important information
  • DOI flexibility allows districts to hire individuals who are not yet fully certified, depending on the role and need.
  • Most candidates are expected to enroll in a Texas-approved certification program and work toward full certification while teaching.
  • Special education, bilingual and ESL positions require full certification and are not eligible under the DOI.
  • Limited teaching positions available in foundation courses under the DOI.
    Please note: These positions will no longer be eligible beginning with the 2029-2030 school year.
What this means for you
If you are interested in teaching but have not yet completed certification, Princeton ISD may still have opportunities available for you. Our team will work with qualified candidates to determine eligibility and guide next steps toward certifications.

Out-of-State Certified Teachers

Individuals who hold a standard educator certificate from another U.S. state to territory and are seeking certification in Texas must first apply for a Review of Credentials through the Texas Education Agency (TEA). 
 
House Bill 1178, enacted by the 89th Texas Legislature, requires that any out-of-state certificate submitted for a Review of Credentials must be both valid and active at the time of the complete application is received.
 
Texas does not automatically recognize or accept out-of-state teaching certificates to move into the immediate issuance of a standard certificate in Texas. Even if an educator holds a valid standard certificate elsewhere, they must still apply for Texas certification and may be required to complete additional exams unless they qualify for a test exemption.
 
Application requirements and review process
A complete credentials review application includes the following:
  • A submitted Review of Credentials application and payment of required fees
  • A copy of your out-of-state standard certificate uploaded to your Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) account
  • An official transcript sent directly to the Texas Education Agency from the issuing institution
Important: Before ordering your transcript, ensure you have created an ECOS account, as this is required to store documents that will accompany your application.
 
 
Requirements for text exemption review
Educations certified outside of Texas may be eligible for exemption from some or all Texas certification exams. 
 

Frequently Asked Questions