Discontinuation of the Master Teacher Certificates

Effective September 1, 2019, as mandated by House Bill 3 (HB 3), the State Board for Educator Certification will no longer issue new or renew Master Teacher certificates. The implementation of HB 3 will impact educator preparation programs (EPPs), candidates seeking Master Teacher certification, and current Master Teacher certificate holders.

If you are seeking a Master Teacher certificate, note the following key changes:

• Candidates currently enrolled in a Texas-approved Master Teacher preparation program must complete all requirements for certificate issuance (including passing the exam and submitting a complete application for certification with EPP recommendation) no later than 8/31/19.
• Master Teacher examinations must be taken and passed, and results must be reported to the educator, the EPP, and TEA in time to meet the 8/31/19 deadline for certificate issuance.

The final testing window for Master Teacher examinations is July 29–August 11. The scheduling deadline for the Master Technology Teacher EC–12 exam is July 12, and the deadline for all other Master Teacher exams is July 27.

If you are ready to test and qualify for the standard Master Teacher certificate, please work with your EPP to ensure that you receive test approval and are able to register for your exam in a timely fashion.

Candidates seeking the Master Reading Teacher certificate that will not be standard certified before 9/1/2019 may still qualify for the Reading Specialist certificate if the EPP is approved to offer that certificate. The Reading Specialist certificate is not affected by House Bill 3 and will remain in the certificate inventory for those EPPs approved to offer that certificate.

Please contact your preparation program directly if you have any questions.