Educator Certification

The TSI test is designed to evaluate your critical thinking and analytical skills. The state requires that you pass the TSI* prior to beginning your field-based experience.

TSI Assessment
Score	Section
Reading	359
Mathematics	359
Writing Multiple Choice & Essay	363 with an essay of (6)

*Exemptions to taking the TSI:

• SAT scores: 1070 composite score in Verbal and Math
• ACT scores: 26 composite score in English and Math
• Bachelor's Degree: If you have already completed a bachelor's degree, you are exempt from taking the TSI.

Although Military service provides some TSI exemptions for the purpose of college admissions, it does not provide an exemption to passing the TSI as part of the Educator Preparation Program. Veterans enrolled as undergraduates must still take the TSI unless they qualify for one of the exemptions above.

Anyone seeking certification in Texas must take the TExES Examinations of Educator Standards offered by the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) State Board for Educator Certification. The state TExES exams measure an educator's competency in their specific field and in overall education theory. To become a certified teacher in Texas, you must pass all required TExES state exams for your designated Certification field.

If you are planning to get certified, start planning early.

Visit our TExES page for how to get started and registered

If you are seeking Texas teacher certification in EC-6 Core Subjects (Bilingual), the state also requires that you demonstrate listening, speaking, reading, and writing proficiency in Spanish. This is in addition to the three TExES exams.