How to Renew Your Teaching License in Texas (2026 Guide)

Last updated March 2026

Renewing your Texas teaching certificate doesn't have to feel like a mystery. Whether you're a first-time renewer or you've been through the process before, the rules can shift — and missing a deadline or submitting the wrong type of professional development can set you back months.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about how to renew your teaching license in Texas in 2026: how many hours you need, what counts, how to submit, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.

The Basics: Texas Teaching Certificate Renewal at a Glance

• Renewal cycle: Every 5 years
• Hours required: 150 continuing professional education (CPE) hours
• Governing body: State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA)
• Where to renew: TEA's online portal — texaseducationagency.net
• Renewal fee: $78 (as of 2026)

Your renewal date is printed on your certificate. If you're not sure when yours expires, log in to the TEA Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) — more on that below.

Understanding the 150-Hour CPE Requirement

Texas requires 150 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) per 5-year renewal period. That works out to roughly 30 hours per year — very manageable if you plan ahead.

The hours don't have to be completed in any particular order or by a specific annual deadline. You just need to accumulate all 150 by your certificate's expiration date.

What Counts as CPE in Texas?

Texas gives teachers a lot of flexibility about what types of PD count toward their 150 hours. Approved activity types include:

• Workshops, conferences, and seminars (in-person or virtual)
• College or university coursework (1 semester credit hour = 15 CPE hours)
• Online courses from TEA-approved providers
• Campus-based staff development
• Mentoring or peer coaching programs
• Curriculum writing and textbook reviewing
• National Board Certification work
• Study groups or professional learning communities (PLCs)
• Published writing in an education-related journal

Are There Required Topics?

Yes. Texas requires that a portion of your CPE hours address specific topics depending on your role. For classroom teachers, at least some hours must address:

• Technology integration in the classroom
• Instruction for students with disabilities (if you work with special populations)
• School safety and violence prevention (required for all educators)

Check your school district's professional development plan — many districts structure their required PD so it automatically covers these TEA mandates.

The 5-Year Renewal Cycle Explained

Texas teaching certificates are valid for 5 years from the date of issuance. Your expiration date determines when you need to renew — not the calendar year you were hired or started teaching.

Example: If your certificate was issued on April 15, 2021, it expires on April 15, 2026. You must have 150 CPE hours logged and your renewal submitted before that date.

Pro tip: TEA will send a renewal reminder to the email address on file in ECOS about 90 days before your expiration. Make sure your contact information is current. Better yet, don't wait for the reminder — set a personal calendar alert a full year out.

How to Submit Your Renewal: The TEA ECOS Portal

Texas uses the Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) for all certification actions, including renewal. Here's how the process works:

1. Log in to ECOS at secure.sbec.state.tx.us using your TEA login credentials. If you've forgotten your password, use the password reset tool.
2. Check your CPE summary. ECOS shows the hours that have been reported to TEA by approved providers. Hours reported by your school district should appear automatically if your district uses TEA's system.
3. Upload documentation for any hours not already in the system. If you took a course through a non-district provider, you may need to upload a certificate of completion or transcript.
4. Submit your renewal application. Once you have 150 hours logged, click "Renew Certificate" and pay the $78 fee online.
5. Receive your renewed certificate. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks. You'll receive an email confirmation and can print your updated certificate from ECOS.

Approved PD Providers: Who Can Give You Texas CPE Hours?

Not every course or workshop automatically counts. Texas CPE hours must come from an approved source. Approved provider types include:

• School districts — District-run professional development is almost always pre-approved
• Education Service Centers (ESCs) — Texas has 20 regional ESCs that offer hundreds of PD options
• Colleges and universities — Any accredited institution; coursework counts at 15 hours per semester credit
• TEA-approved private providers — Organizations that have gone through TEA's approval process
• National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) — All NBPTS activities count

How to Verify a Provider Is Approved

Before registering for a paid course, check TEA's online provider database to confirm the provider is listed. Many online PD platforms advertise CPE hours but are not formally approved by TEA. Spending money on a course that doesn't count is a frustrating and avoidable mistake.

What Happens If You Miss Your Renewal Deadline?

If your certificate expires, you cannot legally teach in a Texas public school. Your district will be notified, and your position could be at risk.

Texas does allow expired certificates to be renewed — but there are additional requirements. If your certificate has been expired for less than 3 years, you can still renew by completing the 150 CPE hours and paying the standard fee plus a late fee. If it's been more than 3 years, you may need to reapply and meet current certification requirements, which could include additional testing.

The bottom line: don't let it expire.

Special Situations

National Board Certification

If you hold or are pursuing National Board Certification, the work you do for NBPTS counts toward your 150 CPE hours. Candidates completing the certification process typically log 200–400 hours — more than enough to satisfy the renewal requirement.

Out-of-State PD

PD completed while working in another state can count toward Texas renewal if it meets TEA's activity type requirements. Keep your certificates of completion — you may need to upload them to ECOS.

Instructional Coaches and Administrators

Teachers who move into instructional coaching or administration still hold classroom teacher certificates that must be renewed on the standard cycle. Administrative certificates have their own renewal requirements — check with your district's HR department if you hold multiple certificate types.

Fees at a Glance

Action	Fee
Standard renewal	$78
Late renewal (within 3 years)	$78 + late fee
Adding an endorsement at renewal	Varies by endorsement

Your Renewal Checklist

1. Find your certificate expiration date in ECOS
2. Set a calendar reminder 12 months out
3. Review your current CPE hour count in ECOS
4. Plan PD activities to reach 150 hours, including any required topics
5. Verify any non-district providers are TEA-approved
6. Log in to ECOS and submit renewal before your expiration date
7. Pay the $78 fee and save your confirmation

Stay on Top of Your Renewal

Texas renewal requirements can change — SBEC meets quarterly and can update rules with relatively little notice. The best way to stay informed is to subscribe to renewal reminders so you know when requirements shift in your state.

For a full breakdown of Texas teacher license types, fees, and accepted PD hours, visit the ChalkReady Texas page.