International Candidates

We welcome your interest in applying here at Region 4 Inspire Texas. Please read carefully the information within this section if your background and education are from Puerto Rico or a foreign country.
 

Getting Started

If you are applying for bilingual teacher certification and your bachelor’s degree or equivalent comes from a non-English-speaking university outside the United States, the following is required:

Application Requirements

1. A four- or five-year university degree: Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or equivalent. 
2. A four- or five-year university degree from outside of the U.S. must be evaluated, verified, and deemed equivalent to a bachelor’s degree by an approved credential evaluation service. When requesting your credential evaluation from one of the approved TEA evaluation companies, please make sure to request it to include, GRADE by GRADE, GPA, and VERIFICATION. Please visit the TEA website for a list of approved credential evaluation companies.

3. GPA: 2.50 Grade Point Average (GPA) or equivalent.

4. English Language Proficiency Assessment: Must be demonstrated before preservice training by one of the following:
   1. Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at an institution of higher education in the United States.
   2. Proof of oral English language proficiency through verification of minimum scaled scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) of 20 for speaking, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 17 for writing.  You may use the institution code 4805 when registering for the TOEFL on the ETS website to have scores submitted directly to Region 4 Inspire Texas.  NOTE:TOEFL scores are valid for two years after the test date. If your scores are older than two years, you will be required to retest.
   3. Please register at the Education Testing Center (ETS)
   4. Information concerning the Texas Education Agency English language proficiency requirements, including new score requirements for the Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet Based Test (TOEFL-iBT)
   5. List of countries outside of the United States approved by the State for Educator Certification (SBEC).

** Region 4 Educator Certification offers preparation and test administration for the TOEFL exam.

5. Credit hours in content areas:
   1. Core Subjects EC–6, Special Education, ESL, and Bilingual EC–6 areas of certification: 24 total semester hours including English, mathematics, science, and social studies with a minimum of 3 semester hours in each subject.
   2. Core Subjects 4–8, Special Education, ESL, and Bilingual 4–8 areas of certification: 36 total semester hours including English, mathematics, science, and social studies with a minimum of 6 semester hours in each subject.
   3. Mathematics 4–8 and/or 7–12: 15 semester hours must be in mathematics.
   4. Composite Science 4–8 and/or 7–12: 15 semester hours in science and at least 6 semester hours in at least two teachable subjects.
   5. Documents Needed
      • ​Copy of “diploma” and copy of “cédula profesional” (Only for Mexico graduates)
      • Copy of diploma stating that a bachelor’s degree was conferred
      • Original transcripts from all universities attended
      • Original credential evaluation (if available)
      • Criminal history record (“Carta de no-antecedentes penales”)

PLEASE Mail MATERIALS TO:

Region 4 Inspire Texas
7145 West Tidwell Road
Houston, Texas 77092

OR

EMAIL TO:

INTERNATIONAL@esc4.net

(Please do not include any message in the body of the email.)

PLEASE ALLOW 10 DAYS FOR DOCUMENT REVIEW:

After your application is submitted and documents received, you will be notified via email of your acceptance into the program and the certification areas for which you are eligible. When you receive your notification, choose the training date that works best for you.

Getting Certified

• TExES Content Exam
  All teacher candidates must pass the designated state certification content exam. Test permission for all content exams is given after the completion of the 240 Tutoring or Certify Teacher practice exam and a score of at least 80% is obtained.
• Pedagogy Exam (PPR)
  All candidates will take the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC–12 exam, and must pass it to receive a standard teaching certificate.

Pre-Requisite Training (Phase One)

Additional Fees Required for Certification

NOTE: Textbooks and materials fees will depend on syllabus requirements.

Prerequisite Training Timelines

Free Teacher Information Meetings

Any questions? Many questions? Seek answers about the certification process by attending a free information meeting. Learn about our programs, admissions, costs, alumni experiences, and more. We know it’s a significant step, and we want you to be in the best position to make a well-informed decision.