If you are currently completing your final semester of coursework toward a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education as required by Texas Education Agency and the Texas Administration Code, and you currently meet the identified admission requirements, then you may be eligible for admission on a contingency basis.

To qualify for contingency admittance, you must provide the following documentation along with your application by the  deadlines:

We offer training three times a year: Fall, Spring, Summer.

 An applicant may be accepted into an alternative certification program on a contingency basis pending receipt of an official transcript showing degree conferred and have passed all content related tests.  An applicant admitted on a contingency basis may begin program training, but shall not be recommended for a certificate until the bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education has been conferred. 

The contingency admission will be valid for only the fall, spring, or summer semester for which the contingency admission was granted and may not be extended for another semester. The end of each semester shall be consistent with the common calendar established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Contingent candidates who wish to transition into full program admission must meet all general admissions requirements and must provide ACT-RGV an official transcript reflecting a conferred degree prior to receiving full acceptance documentation.

The teacher shortage areas have been approved by the U.S. Department of Education. The 2026–2027 shortage areas are now available below, along with the previously approved years.
Please visit the following link to view Teacher Shortage Areas

ACT-RGV will review your TEA account and take the following into consideration when evaluating for admission:

Previous Educator Preparation Program participation

Certification testing record

Any candidate not successful in taking and passing any exam will not be eligible for admission into ACT-RGV

If you are currently enrolled in another alternative certification program and would like to transfer, please provide a transcript of all titled coursework with hours earned for review.

Transfer candidates who have passed all required content or content‑related exams in a previous program will have those exams reviewed. ACT‑RGV will not grant test approval for additional content or content‑related exams once a transfer candidate has been admitted to the program, unless written approval is submitted to ACT‑RGV.

Any transfer candidate who is not successful in taking and passing required exams will not be eligible for admission into ACT‑RGV.

Graduates from a university outside of the United States or U.S. territories must provide:

Proof of the English Proficiency (TOEFL): Effective January 21, 2026, a score of "4" (B2 High-Intermediate) is required in each section. Scores are valid for 2 years.

TEA provides a list of foreign credential review companies that will be accepted by ACT-RGV.  The evaluation must include a U.S. equivalency for each credential, a course-by-course analysis, and a GPA of credit hours.

An applicant who has met the minimum academic criteria through credentials from outside the United States must seek transcript evaluation into a U.S. degree equivalency by an approved TEA credentialing evaluation service.      

Check TEA website for more information.  https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certification/military-community

The Texas Education Agency is proud to provide opportunities for the military community and first responders to become Texas educators.

For additional information, you may review State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rule chapter 19 TAC §234

Military Veteran, Military Spouse, and Active-Duty Military Members | Texas Education Agency

1. Exit Policy—Candidates leaving ACT-RGV must formally submit a written request form that they are exiting the program. [TAC §228.31(b)] The form is located on the website.

2. Dismissal process—It is the EPP’s discretion to dismiss a candidate from the program due to non-compliance and/or unethical behavior [TAC §228.31(b). Once a candidate resigns or exits the program, it is at the program’s discretion whether a candidate will be eligible to return to ACT-RGV.

3. Reasons for dismissal from program:

   1. Termination from a position under district board policy

   2. Failure to comply with the school district’s policies leading to concerns by the school administrator. (This applies to actions outside the classroom as well as in the classroom.)

   3. Failure to pay fees on time

   4. Falsification of information or documentation (This includes sign-in/out sheets, observation reports and other required documentation)

   5. Resignation of their contracted position with a district

   6. Removal from campus during the Field-Based Experience or internship

   7. Revocation of contract from the district

   8. Any other serious concern at the discretion of the program