Continuing Education: State Guidelines
Standard Certificate
Beginning September 1, 1999, all new teachers in Texas received a Standard Certificate instead of
the Lifetime Provisional Certificate that was previously given. The Standard Certificate is only
good for 5 years. On the teacher’s first birthday 5 years after obtaining his certification, the
certificate must be renewed. For example, an educator born in March who was issued a certificate
in December 1999 would be subject to renewal requirements in March 2005. This new law will not
affect teachers with Lifetime Certification, unless they have added additional certificates after
September 1, 1999. Thus it is possible for a teacher to have both a lifetime and a standard certificate.
For more information, contact:
http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/SBECOnline/certinfo/faq_certrenew.asp
Renewing a standard certificate
All certified educators seeking to renew a certificate(s) must:
- Hold a valid Standard Certificate that has not been, nor is in the process of being, sanctioned by SBEC;
- Successfully complete a criminal history review;
- Not be in default on a student loan or in arrears of child support;
- Complete the required number of clock hours of continuing professional education (CPE); and
- Pay the appropriate renewal fee ($20).
CPE Hourly Requirements
Educators in each class of certification below must complete the following number of CPE hours each 5 years.
- Classroom teachers: 150 clock hours
- Counselors: 200 clock hours
- Learning resource specialists and school librarians: 200 clock hours
- Reading specialists: 200 clock hours
- Educational diagnosticians: 200 clock hours
- Master teachers: 200 clock hours
- Superintendents, principals: 200 clock hours
Sources of CPE hours
Only those CPE activities from SBEC-approved registered providers will be recognized for Standard
Certificate renewal purposes. All CPE providers approved by SBEC are listed on the SBEC website,
http://www.sbec.state.tx.us/SBECOnline/certinfo/regprov.asp
CPE clock hours can be accrued through the following:
- Workshops, conferences, and in-service or staff development delivered by an approved registered provider;
- Undergraduate and graduate coursework through an accredited institution of higher education, with one semester credit being equivalent to 15 CPE clock hours;
- Interactive distance learning, video conferencing, or on-line activities;
- Independent study, not to exceed 20% of the required clock hours;
- Development of curriculum or CPE training materials;
- Presenting CPE activities, not to exceed 10% of the required clock hours;
- Serving as a mentor, not to exceed 30% of the required clock hours; and
- Serving as an assessor for the principal assessment, not to exceed 10% of the required clock hours.
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