1. Go to www.certifyteacher.com.
2. Create an account using your UH email. Be sure to use promo code COUGARS4728 to pay $50 for each course.
3. Familiarize yourself with the Certify Teacher program and its capabilities by visiting the website provided: www.certifyteacher.com, go to the tab labeled “Interactive Practice Texts,” select the TExES exam you intend to take and watch the YouTube video provided. Your Certify Teacher account through the University of Houston is valid for 1 calendar year.
4. Purchase the following courses:
   NOTE: please make sure you signed up for the correct content exam as was listed on your student teaching verification survey or application.
   
   1. Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (160) course for the PPR
   2. The content course that aligns with your degree: 7-12 Chemistry (240), 7-12 Life Science, 7-12 Mathematics (235), 6-12 Physical Science (237), 7-12 Physics/Mathematics (243) and 7-12 Science (236).
5. Take the diagnostic exam for each course by clicking on “Exam Mode”. This exam will assess your readiness of the exam material to date. Once you complete the diagnostic exam, Certify Teacher will provide you with a study plan. The study plan MUST be completed before you can schedule and take a qualifying exam through Certify Teacher.

NOTE: Only after your degree is conferred and you completed certification for the initial content area through teachHOUSTON, you may consider additional content certifications, such as English as a Second Language (ESL). Visit the Texas Education Agency website for more information on additional certifications.

Before you take a qualifying exam, you MUST complete a diagnostic exam and the study plan created by Certify Teacher. If you have not been prompted to take an exam upon entry to a registered course, please contact the Certification Director at jnekeoba@central.uh.edu.

Qualifying exams will be completed remotely (i.e., from home) using Certify Teacher in Exam Mode. Please use the honor system during this time. No unauthorized materials and resources should be used during your qualifying exam! Failure to do so will only hurt your ability to pass the actual TExES exams.

NOTE: The qualifier exam score is valid for 45 days. If you wait too long to sign up for the TExES exams after you receive approval, you will need to take a new qualifier exam PRIOR to taking the TExES exam. Failure to follow instructions can prolong your ability to be properly certified.

Approved Materials

The PPR does not have approve testing materials. For content exams, upon signing up for remote qualifier, you should receive the appropriate testing materials via email. If you do not receive these items, contact Jacqueline Ekeoba at jnekeoba@central.uh.edu or 713-743-0222.

Sign Up

1. Sign up at least 72 hours in advance of the desired date and time for the qualifier exam using this link.
2. If issues arise in scheduling a qualifying exam, please contact Jacqueline Ekeoba at jnekeoba@central.uh.edu.

Sign Up Here

In order to be approved for TExES exams, you must earn a 260 on the qualifying exams. Practice tests completed without following the checklist protocol on the site will not be processed. Additionally, you must meet the following criteria as mentioned in TAC 228.41.

1. Be formally admitted into University of Houston/teachHOUSTON as your EPP.
2. Be on track to complete 150 coursework hours designated by teachHOUSTON's curriculum PRIOR to student teacher.
3. Be on track to complete 50 field-based hours PRIOR to student teacher.

Once you have completed the qualifying exam:

1. If you score below a 260 on your qualifying exam:
   1. You must complete the competency (quizzes) assigned to you by Certify Teacher. Once completed, email proof of this to Jacqueline Ekeoba at jnekeoba@central.uh.edu.
   2. You must also sign-up for and re-take the qualifying exam (you may sign up with this link).
2. If you scored a 260 or above on your qualifying exam:
   1. You must still complete the competency (quizzes) for each section under an 85%.
   2. Email proof of completing this to Jacqueline Ekeoba at jnekeoba@central.uh.edu.

1. Go to pryor.tea.state.tx.us and create a username and password.
2. You are an "Educator" from a "University-based" program.
3. Please remember to enter your official information, and be sure to record down your TEA ID!
4. Be sure to share your TEA ID with the Certification Director at jnekeoba@central.uh.edu. They will need this to grant you approval for TExES exams.

For the TExES exam, you must register for a date and time at a specific testing center location determined by you. Follow the steps below once you receive a confirmation email from Dr. Ekeoba based on the registration information provided in the email.

1. Create an account or sign in with Pearson, the testing company associated with state certification: www.tx.nesinc.com.
2. Sign up for a test time and date and take the exam.
   1. Once you pass your exam, email your score to the Certification Director at jnekeoba@central.uh.edu.
   2. If you fail to meet the minimum passing score on a TExES exam, TEA has temporarily reduced the waiting period for another attempt to 30 days. You must contact Dr. Ekeoba for the next steps to be approved for another attempt. Be sure to email your TExES exam score report to Dr. Ekeoba.

After passing both exams, you may apply for your official state certification at pryor.tea.state.tx.us.

1. Go to the Main Menu and look for the tabs on the left side of the screen.
2. Under the Applications tab, select Standard Texas Certificate Program.
3. Click on Apply for Certification.
   1. Undergraduates: Select the University of Houston (University-based) and click on ‘Apply’ after entering your information. Be sure you chose the correct campus. Otherwise, your application will be delayed.
   2. Post-baccalaureate/ACP: Select the Alternative Certification option and click on ‘Apply’ after entering your information. Be sure you chose the correct campus. Otherwise, your application will be delayed.
4. Payment: There is a $77 application fee and a $42.25 fingerprinting fee. Payment is required in order for your certification to be processed.

19 TAC §228.20(h) requires all Educator Preparation Programs to have an exit policy for the dismissal of candidates published, reviewed, and signed by candidates when they are admitted to the program.

Dismissal from the Educator Preparation Program

A candidate may be removed from the Educator Preparation Program in the event he/she demonstrates behavior not consistent with the professional and ethical expectations of an educator in Texas. Dismissal from the program may be based on grounds including but not limited to:

1. Failure to meet coursework requirements.
2. Failure to abide by policies and/or procedures established by the University of Houston Educator Preparation Program and/or program requirements established by the State Board for Educator Certification as published in the Texas Administrative Code.
3. Any action deemed a violation of the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators, and/or;
4. Any action deemed a violation of the University of Houston Student Code of Conduct; and/or;
5. Any action deemed a violation of school district and/or campus policy during field-based experiences or clinical teaching or internship.

Dismissal from the program is determined by a committee comprised of the program faculty. This may occur at any time. If a candidate is dismissed from the College of Education, he or she will also be automatically dismissed from the Educator Preparation Program. All decisions of dismissal can be appealed through college policies.

Withdrawal from the Educator Preparation Program

A candidate who decides to voluntarily withdraw from the Educator Preparation Program needs to send a written notice of that intent from a University of Houston email account. The candidate also needs to submit a signed Graduation without Certification Contract. Withdrawal from the College of Education translates to withdrawal from the Educator Preparation Program.