How to Become a Teacher's Aide in Texas

<table border="1"><tr><td> Education/Experience Required </td><td> Minimum high school diploma or equivalent; some experience required depending on the employing superintendent</td></tr> <tr><td> Certification Renewal Period </td><td> Five years</td></tr> <tr><td> CEU Credits Required for Renewal </td><td> None</td></tr> <tr><td> Texas Teacher's Aide Average Salary (2018) </td><td>$23,290*</td></tr> <tr><td> Texas Teacher's Aide Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026) </td><td> 19.9%**</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), **Texas Workforce Commission </i></p><h3 id="section---FulfillExperienceRequirements">Fulfill Experience Requirements</h3><p>All prospective teacher's aides must have some form of experience working with students or parents. Examples of appropriate experience may include work at private schools, licensed daycare centers, youth groups, or day camps. Each school district sets its own experience requirements for teacher's aides. You should check with the school district in which you are seeking employment for its specific requirements regarding experience. </p><h3 id="section---CompleteEducationRequirements">Complete Education Requirements</h3><p>There are three levels of educational aide certificates. To apply for an initial certificate as an Educational Aide I, you must have at least a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) credential. </p><p>To apply for an initial Educational Aide II certification, you must have a high school diploma/GED and at least 15 semester hours of college credit, including courses that cover subjects related to child growth and development. This requirement might be fulfilled through coursework taken as part of a certificate, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree program or as part of professional development. Applicants who can demonstrate proficiency in a skill area to their school district's satisfaction can also apply for an Educational Aide II certificate. </p><p>Applicants who have at least 30 semester hours of college credit, including coursework in child growth and development or a related field, are eligible for the Educational Aide III certification. </p><h3 id="section---SendInApplication">Send in Application</h3><p>Anyone interested in applying for educational aide certification in Texas must first secure employment at a local school district. The local school district will then recommend a prospective teacher's aide to the Texas Education Agency after ensuring that an applicant meets all requirements. </p><p>Once you are employed by a Texas school and have been recommended for certification, you can send your application to the Texas Education Agency. To do so, create a TEA login account online, complete the application, and pay the fee. You will also need to complete a criminal background check and have fingerprints on file. </p><h3 id="section---MeetRenewalRequirements">Meet Renewal Requirements</h3><p>All three educational aide certificates are valid for five years. To renew your certificate, you must complete the application and pay a renewal fee. As part of the renewal process, you are required to complete an updated criminal background check and submit fingerprints for review. You do not need to complete continuing professional education hours or be employed by a school district to renew the certificate. </p><h3 id="section---AdditionalCertification">Additional Certification</h3><p>Teacher's aides with an Educational Aide I certificate can apply for the Educational II certificate after completing two years of experience. Those who complete three years of experience with an Educational Aide I or II certificate can apply for the Educational Aide III certificate. They must still be employed by a school district to apply.</p>