Initial Steps
Prior to applying for the Panhandle Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE), candidates must complete a criminal background check and ensure they meet the English language proficiency standards.
PACE Certification Steps:
Step 1 - Determine your target certification area
Prior to applying to PACE, determine the subject area and grade level in which you want to pursue your certification area. For admission to PACE, we require an overall GPA of 2.75 and 18-30 semester credit hours of content coursework on a transcript.
Content Hour Requirements Per Certification Area (PDF)
If you do not meet the admission requirements, you will first need to take and pass a TX PACT exam prior to applying (see details below).
TX PACT exams and exam preparation resources are located at this site:
Additional exam preparation resources may be found here:
Upon admission to the PACE program, candidates will receive training in both content and pedagogy and be required to take the official TExES content and PPR exams for certification. Candidates may gain admissions into the PACE program with a previous passing score on an official, valid, and current TExES content exam.
Step 2 - Complete Online Training (flex-paced)
Once accepted into the PACE program, you will begin online training that consists of PPR preparation, Classroom Management, and Methodology. Highly motivated individuals can complete these trainings in as little as 2-3 months.
Step 3 - Complete 50 hours of classroom observations
TEA requires that teacher candidates complete 50 hours of classroom observations prior to being hired as a classroom teacher. If you plan to do observations in Canyon ISD or Amarillo ISD, we will facilitate that scheduling for you. If you plan to observe outside of those two districts, you must contact your local school district to work out observation scheduling.
You can substitute up to 20 hours of your classroom observation hours by watching TEA-approved videos.
Step 4 - Upon passing your official TExES Content Exam and successful completion of Steps 1-3, you are now eligible to receive a Statement of Eligibility (SOE) and teach on a Texas intern certificate
Great work! You may request a Letter of Eligibility from PACE and begin applying for positions in your certification area, or receive an SOE if you already have a teaching job secured.
Step 5 - Complete the Remaining PACE Training and the PPR exam
Once you begin your 1-year teaching internship, you will need to complete the remaining online training and testing to become fully certified. You can continue on with standard teacher certification and complete the remaining PACE Module training while you’re teaching.
Step 6 - Successfully complete one year of employment as a classroom teacher and pass the PPR exam, and you are eligible to be recommended for your standard certification.
Once you’ve successfully completed one full year of teaching, completed the remaining PACE training, and passed the PPR exam, you are ready to become a fully certified Texas teacher. Congratulations!