Office of Educator Certification

Exam Clearance: Initial Certification

All exam clearance requests are processed by the UTA Office of Student Services; program coordinators are only contacted in cases where there is a unique circumstance.

For an initial attempt, candidates must submit an online registration clearance request form and provide evidence of at least 6 hours of exam preparation along with a passing score on a practice exam (typically 85%, although some programs have different requirements). All requests for clearance will receive a response in 7 business days.

 

Retakes: Initial Certification

For subsequent exam attempts, candidates must complete the online retake clearance request form. Please note that all retakes will require additional practice and study. The Office of Student Services will work with the program coordinator or utilize existing retake protocols to provide a plan for intervention for the student. Once the intervention is complete, students will submit documentation showing that they have successfully completed the intervention plan via an online form. The Office of Student Services candidates will receive a response within 7 business days detailing next steps and requirements for retake clearance.

Exam Clearance: Advanced (Principal)

All exam clearance requests are processed by the College of Education's Office of Student Services. The Office of Student Services will confirm all documentation is up-to-date in the Canvas Forum and MyMav, as listed below. All requests for clearance will receive a response in 7 business days.

 

PASL Exam 

• Passed or currently enrolled in EDAD 5389
• 3.0 GPA or better
• No practicum holds

Canvas Forum

• Field Supervisor Agreement
• Observation 1: Completed Practicum Observation Report
• Practicum Time Log – 50 Hours, signed by Site Supervisor
• Site Supervisor Agreement
• Site Supervisor Service Record or Credentialing Form
• Site Supervisor Principal Certificate

 

 

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PIL Exam

• Practice Exam
• 80% or higher in each of the six domains (applies only to current students)
• Passed EDAD 5389
• Passed EDAD 5330
• 3.0 GPA or better
• No practicum holds

Canvas Forum

• Field Supervisor Agreement
• Observation 1: Completed Practicum Observation Report
• Observation 2: Completed Practicum Observation Report
• Practicum Time Log – 150 Hours, signed by Site Supervisor
• Site Supervisor Agreement
• Site Supervisor Service Record or Credentialing Form
• Site Supervisor Principal Certificate

Certification Process

Once you have passed your certification exam(s), you will need to formally apply for certification. 

1. Log onto the TEA Website & Update Your Information 

• Go to the Texas Education Agency Website Website (http://tea.texas.gov)
• Click on TEAL LOGIN located in the blue bar at the top of the page.
• Click on Educator (in blue italics in center of the page). You should see a blue and white page with your personal information.
• Ensure that your information is up to date.

 

2. Apply for Certification 

• Choose Applications on the left.
• Choose Standard Certificate Texas Program.
• Read requirements then click on Apply for Certification.
• Read and agree to the Affidavit information.
• Choose from the drop-down box for Recommending Entity: University of Texas-Arlington (Alternative).
• Check that you understand Certifications are no longer mailed.
• Check that you have verified your addresses.
• Click on Apply.
• Verify the entity:
  • If degree-seeking (B.A./B.S., MEd ELPS Principal, MEd C&I Reading Specialist, MEdT, MEd SpEd) – verify
    University of Texas-Arlington (University Based) as the recommending entity.
  • If non-degree seeking (PCO, Post Bacc. Cert Only) – verify University of Texas- Arlington (Alternative) as the recommending entity.

 

3. Pay the Fees & Submit the Required Documentation 

• Pay your application fee. Please note that your application can be submitted without payment, but it will not be processed by TEA until the fee is paid.
• You will be prompted to apply for and pay the fingerprinting fee. The vendor will contact you directly with instructions to schedule the fingerprinting appointment. Check your spam/junk folder if
• you do not receive an email within 48 hours.
• Complete the Exit Survey.
• Complete the online certification application.

 

4. Wait for Final Recommendation by UTA & Processing by TEA

• The Certification Officer will verify that ALL requirements, including program documentation, benchmarks, and final grades, have been completed. This could take 2- 3 weeks to confirm all documentation has been received. You will receive an email notification from TEA once you have been recommended by UTA.
• The Certification Officer will then recommend the certification application to TEA for final processing. TEA processing takes 1-2 hours to issue the certificate and post to your TEAL account. You
• will receive an email notification from TEA once you have been recommended by UTA.
• Once TEA has issued your certificate, you will be able to login to your TEAL account to view, attach, or print your certificate. A copy will not be mailed.

Exam Clearance After Graduation & Changes to Requirements

Note that all exam clearance requests, even after graduation, must be processed by the Office of Student Services.

Students are strongly encouraged to take all certification exams prior to graduation. Please be aware the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) regularly updates certification requirements. This means that your coursework, exam scores, and even your Clinical Experience (Clinical Teaching) can expire. If you delay taking your exams and/or applying for standard certification, you may be required to repeat coursework and/or clinical experience.

Students will only be released to test and/or recommended for certification in the certification area that the candidate was prepared. If the candidate fails to become certified within five years of graduating or there is a significant change made by SBEC in certification standards or test requirements, UTA may require the student to retake courses or complete additional preparation prior to granting test approval.