What Texas says
How this move starts
Texas requires a Review of Credentials rather than automatic reciprocity for an out-of-state standard certificate.
Where the state decides
TEA decides certificate alignment and examination exemptions after reviewing the applicant's active credential, experience and exams.
No blanket reciprocity claim
What this guide will not guess
A state pair alone cannot settle your exact credential, tests or timeline. Those answers can change with your license type, endorsements, preparation and experience. This page shows the reviewed Texas rule; the move planner uses your teaching details to narrow the checklist.
Your California record
Confirm exactly what you hold
California's public educator search is the Commission's official record of credentials, certificates and permits held by public-school educators.
- •Credentials, certificates and permits held by the educator
- •Current and historical document status shown by the Commission
- •Adverse or Commission actions when the public record includes them
Compact check
Use the regular out-of-state path
This pair is not currently a two-member compact route. Texas's out-of-state rules control.
Check compact eligibilityYour likely order
7 reviewed steps
- 01Create your TEAL and ECOS accounts before requesting the official transcript
- 02Pay $164 and submit the Review of Credentials
- 03Upload the valid, active standard certificate
- 04Have the degree-granting institution send the official transcript electronically to OSC75@tea.texas.gov
- 05Submit prior score reports and experience verification with the initial review when seeking exemptions
- 06Wait six to eight weeks after the file is complete
- 07Open My Documents in ECOS and save the review letter
What can change the answer
- 01The out-of-state certificate must be valid, active and standard when the complete application is received
- 02Without a standard out-of-state certificate, the applicant cannot use Review of Credentials and generally must complete a Texas educator-preparation program
- 03Additional exams may apply unless TEA grants an exemption
- 04Early Childhood-Grade 3, Core Subjects Early Childhood-Grade 6, Core Subjects Grades 4-8, English Language Arts and Reading with Science of Teaching Reading Grades 4-8, and English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies with Science of Teaching Reading Grades 4-8 have specific Science of Teaching Reading treatment
The records worth gathering first
Required review
Texas requires a Review of Credentials for an out-of-state standard certificate rather than automatic certificate exchange.
Exam determination
TEA determines examination exemptions after reviewing the active credential, verified experience and prior exams. Five certificate areas that include Science of Teaching Reading have specific exemption treatment: Early Childhood-Grade 3, Core Subjects Early Childhood-Grade 6, Core Subjects Grades 4-8, English Language Arts and Reading with Science of Teaching Reading Grades 4-8, and English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies with Science of Teaching Reading Grades 4-8.
Core evidence
The ECOS review uses the uploaded valid active standard certificate, an official transcript sent electronically by the institution to OSC75@tea.texas.gov, prior score reports and experience verification when requesting exemptions.
Published review time
TEA asks applicants to allow six to eight weeks after the Review of Credentials file is complete and posts the result letter in My Documents in ECOS.
Review of Credentials fee
Texas publishes a nonrefundable $164 Review of Credentials fee. One-year or standard-certificate, fingerprint and testing fees may apply later.
California to Texas questions
Does a California teaching license automatically transfer to Texas?
No. Your California credential is evidence for the application, but Texas Education Agency decides which Texas license, endorsements, tests and remaining conditions apply.
Can I use the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact from California to Texas?
This is not currently a move between two listed compact member states. Use Texas's regular out-of-state pathway unless the destination agency tells you a different route applies.
What should I gather before applying in Texas?
Start with your current California license record, exact endorsements, preparation transcripts, experience verification and test history. Then follow the evidence requests in Texas's application.
What does the TeachPassport move planner include?
It uses your credential, experience, subjects, grades and destination to prepare likely steps, reusable worksheets and official links. You can use it without an account or save the move.
Official sources
State material only