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Teacher Certification

Bilingual Teacher with StudentsThe following information is provided by the Plano ISD Human Resources Department regarding certification requirements for teacher applicants and current employees. For additional information, contact Karon Williams at (469) 752-8234 or karon.williams@pisd.edu

Criteria for Employment in Plano ISD

Requirements for becoming a teacher in Texas can be found on the State Board for Educator Certification website.

To be employed by the Plano ISD, the applicant must provide:

  1. Official transcripts
  2. Texas teaching certificate or out-of-state teaching certificate
  3. The out-of-state certificate must have been issued for either 3 or 5 years.
  4. Proof of acceptance into an Alternative Certification program and having passed the specific content exam to be considered Highly Qualified for No Child Left Behind.

Exam Descriptions / Dates

TEXES/EXCET Exam

All teachers in the state of Texas are required by the State Board for Educator Certification to complete state mandated exams before being eligible for certification and to be considered Highly Qualified for No Child Left Behind. Registration instructions, test dates and study guides are available at www.texes.ets.org Opens new window

Texas Oral Proficiency Test

The TOPT is required for only Bilingual, Spanish, or French teachers along with the Texes/Excet Exams. Registration instructions, test dates and study guides are available at www.texes.ets.org

Certification Requirements for Current Employees

Out-of-State Certificate

Teachers who are employed in Plano ISD who hold an out-of-state certificate must apply online through the State Board for Educator Certification Opens new window(SBEC) for a review of out-of-state credentials and a one-year certificate. After applying online, the teacher will receive a notice from the SBEC indicating that the out-of-state certificate has met the Texas standards for a Texas credential. Finger prints are required for issuance of the one-year certificate.

The one-year certificate will be sent to the teacher shortly after notification from the State Board. The teacher must pass all state mandated tests as indicated on the review during the validity dates of the one-year certificate. After taking and passing all required exams, the teacher is required to go back to the website and apply for the 5 year Standard certification. During the validity of the 5 year certificate, the teacher must complete a minimum of 150 professional development hours before the Standard certificate can be renewed. The teacher will receive a notice from the State Board several months before the 5 year Standard certificate expires to renew the certificate.

Emergency Permit

Teachers who are hired on an Emergency permit must follow the State Board for Educator Certification guidelines to be eligible to be placed on a permit. The certification office will inform the teacher of those guideline and share information the renewal of an Emergency Permit.

Alternative Certification

Teachers who are going through an alternative certification program must meet that program requirements before being hired in a school district. Each program will differ somewhat in program requirements. For more information, contact these programs:

Teacher Preparation and Certification Program
Region X Education Service Center
Richardson, Texas
(972) 348-1700

Collin County Community College
Alternative Teacher Certification Program
Allen, Texas
(972) 377-1062

Education Career Alternatives Program (E.C.A.P.)
Fort Worth, Texas
1 (817) 284-7731

iteAChtexas (I Teach Texas)
Denton, Texas
1-940-383-8100

ACT Houston - Dallas
1420 W. Mockingbird Lane
Suite 260
Dallas, TX 75247
214-267-2222

Richland College
12800 Abrams Road
Dallas TX 75243-3219
972-238-6262

Quality ACT
Las Colinas Executive Suites
320 Decker Drive
Irving, Texas 75014
972-739-6062
www.qualityact.com

Texas Teachers
5429 LBJ Freeway, Suite 425
Suite 425
Dallas TX 75240
Phone:  214-389-1981
Fax:  214-389-1982
www.txteachers.org

Probationary Certification

Most of the four-year colleges in our area offer a probationary certification program as well. Please check with the colleges for more information about their program.

University of North Texas
College of Education
Denton, Texas

Texas Woman’s University
College of Education
Denton, Texas

Texas A & M University (Commerce)
College of Education
Commerce, Texas

University of Texas at Dallas
College of Education
Richardson, Texas