Educator Certification and Academic Services Resources:Applying for Your Standard Certificate
The steps below can assist you in applying for your standard certificate.
Step 1: Access Your TEA Account
Use the TEA Login to access your account. If you have taken a TExES exam, you should have an account.
If this is your first time logging in, select “New User? Create New Account.”
Once you are logged in:
- Click on the “Applications” tab
- Select “Standard Certificate”
- Select “Apply for Certification”
- Fill in all sections of the application.
In the field that says “I request to be recommended by this Entity,” choose one of the following options that reflects your educational background.
Undergraduate Teacher Certification Candidates
Select: East Texas A&M University (University Based)
Post-Bachelor’s Teacher Certification Candidates (Earned a Master’s Degree)
Select: East Texas A&M University (University Based)
Alternative Teacher Certification Candidates (Cert-Only)
Select: East Texas A&M University (Alternative)
Professional Certification Candidates (Certification-ONLY Programs)
Select: East Texas A&M University (Alternative)
Professional Certification Candidates (Degree Seeking Programs)
Select: East Texas A&M University (University Based)
When you have entered all required information, click “Apply.”
Step 2: Pay Fees
Next, you will pay TEA’s fees electronically. Current fees include:
- Certification: $78.00
- Fingerprinting: $40.25
- Vendor Fees: $10.00
These fees are determined by TEA and may be subject to change.
When you are finished, use the “Application Status” tab to verify that your payment was processed successfully.
Step 3: Schedule a Fingerprinting Appointment
Once you apply and submit payment for certification through the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS), the fingerprinting process will begin. When you pay for certification, you will be prompted to pay for the fingerprint background check.
Certificate applicants residing in Texas must submit their fingerprints electronically, Option 1, using the Texas Department of Public Safety's (DPS) approved vendor, MorphoTrust/Identogo. Once you have submitted payment for fingerprinting in ECOS, you will be “pre-enrolled,” and MorphoTrust/Identogo will send you an email that includes information to schedule an appointment. The email will be sent from the address: [email protected].
Please note that, once pre-enrolled, you may also find the information necessary to schedule an appointment in your ECOS account. After logging in, choose “Fingerprint Status.” You will be directed to a screen that displays the UEID number, the service code and a link for appointment scheduling through MorphoTrust/IdentoGo.
The total fingerprinting background check fee for a certificate applicant in Texas is $50.25. Of this total, $40.25 will be paid in ECOS via credit card during the application process. An additional $10.00 is paid to MorphoTrust/IdentoGo at the time of appointment scheduling. You must provide a valid photo ID at the time of your appointment. Texas Education Agency (TEA) receives the fingerprinting results 5-7 business days after the fingerprint appointment.
Fingerprinting Exceptions
You will not be required to complete fingerprinting again if one of the following is true:
- You have been an Educational Aide and hold an Aide Certificate with SBEC
- You have completed the fingerprinting process with a school district
- You already hold a standard teaching certificate (Professional Certification Applicants).