Texas Administrative Code
Title 19 - EDUCATION
Part 7 - STATE BOARD FOR EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION
Chapter 234 - MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS, MILITARY SPOUSES, AND MILITARY VETERANS
Section 234.5 - Certification of Military Service Members, Military Spouses, and Military Veterans

(a) The application for certification of a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse, including an application based upon certification by a jurisdiction other than Texas that has certification requirements substantially similar to the Texas certification requirements, shall be processed within 30 days of receipt of a complete application.

(b) As soon as practicable after the issuance of a one-year certificate, Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff shall notify a military service member, a military spouse, and a military veteran, in writing or by email, of the requirements for obtaining a standard Texas certificate.

(c) A military spouse who has been issued a one-year certificate prior to September 1, 2017, under the provisions of this chapter, is eligible for two additional years from the date of issuance, not to exceed a total of three years maximum, to align with provisions for a military spouse referenced in subsection (d) of this section.

(d) Effective September 1, 2017, a military spouse shall be issued a three-year temporary certificate upon completion of the review of credentials.

(e) Effective December 1, 2019, prior to beginning employment, a military spouse must declare his or her intent to teach in Texas with a license issued by another state department of education, by submitting an application and required documents for a review of credentials to the TEA and by completing the criminal background check. TEA staff must provide approval for the military spouse to teach in Texas a maximum of three years with credentials issued by another state.

(f) Effective December 1, 2023, a military service member shall be issued a three-year temporary certificate upon completion of the review of credentials, or, prior to beginning employment, a military service member must declare his or her intent to teach in Texas with a license issued by another state department of education, by submitting an application and required documents for a review of credentials to the TEA and completing the criminal background check. TEA staff must provide approval for the military service member to teach in Texas a maximum of three years with credentials issued by another state.

(g) A military service member, a military veteran, or a military spouse shall be entitled to credit verified military service, training, clinical and professional experience, or education toward the training, education, work experience, or related requirements (other than certification examinations) for educator certification. TEA staff and educator preparation programs (EPPs) shall use information from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or other reliable sources to assist in crediting applicable military service, training, or education to certification requirements.

(h) A military service member pursuing certification in career and technical education must meet requirements for the certificate, but for career and technical education certificate areas requiring experience and licensure, the military service member shall be entitled to substitute military experience in the trade for the required license or professional credential for the specific trade.

(i) A military service member, military spouse, and military veteran shall complete educator examination requirements for certificate issuance as outlined in Texas Education Code, Chapter 21, Subchapter B, and rules in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 7, or qualify for an exemption from required Texas examinations through provisions in §152.1001 of Part 2 of this title (relating to Exceptions to Examination Requirements for Individuals Certified Outside the State).

(j) A military service member and a military veteran are exempt from certification application fees that are paid to the state that lead to initial certification. These members of the military community are exempt from paying the portion of the examination registration fee that is paid to the TEA.

(k) A military service member and a military veteran are exempt from certification application fees that are paid to the state that lead to initial certification resulting from a review of credentials, one-year certificate, or out-of-state standard certificate. These members of the military community are exempt from paying the portion of the examination registration fee that is paid to the TEA.

(l) A military spouse is exempt from certification application fees that are paid to the state that lead to initial certification resulting from a review of credentials, three-year temporary certificate, or out-of-state standard certificate. This member of the military community is exempt from paying the portion of the examination registration fee that is paid to the TEA.

(m) As applicable to meet residency requirements and establish acceptable identification for military-related fee exemption and other provisions, a military service member, military spouse, or military veteran can submit a copy of the permanent change of station order for the military service member, military spouse, or military veteran.