Requirements/Texas
Special Education Teacher in Texas.
Three exams, because the certificate reaches down into the early grades.
- Exams
- 3
- Passing
- 240
- Certificate
- Special Education Specialist EC-12
The exams you have to pass
In the order most candidates take them.
01
TExES Special Education Specialist EC-12186
Pass240
02
TExES Science of Teaching Reading (STR)293
Required where the certificate covers any grade from PK through 6.
Pass240
03
TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (PPR)160
Required for a first Texas classroom certificate, whatever the subject.
Pass240
What people get wrong
Each of these costs a candidate either money or a test date.
- The Science of Teaching Reading exam applies here. The certificate spans EC-12, which includes PK through 6.
Required, but not an exam
- A bachelor’s degree
- An approved educator preparation program, traditional or alternative
- Fingerprinting and a criminal history review
Now go pass them.
Knowing the list is the easy part. Built To Pass teaches the strategy layer that works on any of these, aimed at the domains where you are actually losing points.
Start with your examVerified 2026-08-03 against Texas Educator Certification Examination Program (tx.nesinc.com). Certification rules change by state board vote. Confirm with the state before you register for a test.