Texas Special Education Teacher Guide
Everything you need to know about becoming a special education teacher in Texas: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete Texas guide.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Texas
Child study team members and classroom educators are in critical demand across Texas, where 15.5% of all public school students were served under IDEA in the 2024–25 school year, up from just 9.2% in 2017–18, one of the sharpest enrollment increases of any state in the nation.
To earn your Texas teaching certificate with a special education endorsement, you must meet requirements set by the Texas Education Agency (TEA):
- Earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution through a TEA-approved educator preparation program
- Complete coursework aligned with the EC-12 standards for your endorsement area
- Pass the TExES Special Education EC-12 (Exam #186), which is the current standard certification exam
- Complete fingerprinting and apply through your TEA online educator account
- Teachers of record must also hold appropriate grade-banded content certification per 19 TAC §231
Texas offers traditional, alternative, and visiting international pathways to certification. TEA has designated this field — at both elementary and secondary levels — as a critical shortage area, meaning financial incentives, loan forgiveness, and recruitment bonuses may be available to qualifying candidates.
👉 Become a NASET Member today to get instant access to nearly 80 CPE-eligible courses!
Continuing Education & License Renewal in Texas
Texas classroom teachers renew their standard certificate every five years by completing 150 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) clock hours from a TEA-approved provider. At least 80% of hours must relate directly to the certificate being renewed, and all educators are required to complete training on teaching students with disabilities, including dyslexia.
NASET is a TEA-CPE approved provider as of February 20, 2026. All NASET certifications, courses, and webinars count toward your Texas CPE requirement. Use CPE# 910014 when submitting for credit.
For every child study team professional working in Texas, NASET’s board certifications are one of the most direct and career-advancing ways to meet renewal requirements.
Become a NASET Member today save 15% on your Board Certification in Special Education, which is the gold standard credential for special ed teachers nationwide!Special Education Teacher Salary in Texas
Texas educators in this field earn competitive compensation, with significant variation by district and location.
- Average statewide salary: ~$56,922/year (2025)
- Typical range: $44,392–$64,965
- Top earners (90th percentile): up to $64,965+
- Houston ISD: $80,000–$92,000 for experienced educators
- Starting salary in many districts: $50,000–$65,000
Because this is a TEA-designated critical shortage area, earning potential runs above average compared to other teaching fields in Texas. Child study team professionals and board-certified educators are better positioned for leadership roles and career advancement across Texas’s 1,265 school districts.
Explore the State-by-State Special Education Teacher Guide to compare Texas with other states.
IEPs in Texas
Texas follows all federal IDEA requirements through a framework overseen by the TEA Division of Special Education:
- Every eligible student must have an IEP developed by a multidisciplinary team, including child study team members , and reviewed annually
- Texas does not use a single statewide IEP platform; TEA contracted with the American Institutes for Research in 2024 to conduct a national landscape analysis to guide future decisions
- Transition planning must begin at age 16, addressing post-secondary education, employment, and independent living
- SPEDTex (1-855-773-3839) is Texas’s official IEP information center, backed by TEA, supporting parents, teachers, and administrators
Strong IEP writing is essential for every Texas educator in this field. Browse real-world examples at NASET’s IEPs from Around the Country to see what compliant, student-centered plans look like in practice.
Become a NASET Member today and earn the certifications that move you up the salary schedule, trusted by special educators across the country!
Key Resources for Texas
State Resources:
Advance Your Career With NASET
The National Association of Special Education Teachers is the leading professional organization for special educators in the U.S. and with TEA-CPE approval now in place, every NASET certification counts toward your Texas license renewal.
Whether you serve on a child study team, teach in a resource room, or lead at the district level, NASET membership gives you access to professional development, publications, job boards, and CPE# 910014-eligible courses, which is everything Texas educators need in one place.
All certifications including the BCSE, BCASE, and BCIEP are CPE-eligible as of February 20, 2026.
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