Impediments to Certification

Please be aware that no person who has been convicted of a felony as described below will be awarded a teacher certification by the State of Texas. Driving while under the influence is considered moral turpitude. Exceptions are sometimes made for events happening more than 10 years in the past but these are done on an individual basis. If you have had a felony conviction, please discuss this with the program advisor.

Texas Education Code, §21.060, Eligibility of Persons Convicted of Certain Offenses, as added by Senate Bill 9, 80th Texas Legislature, 2007:

The board may suspend or revoke the certificate or permit held by a person under this subchapter, impose other sanctions against the person, or refuse to issue a certificate or permit to a person under this subchapter if the person has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor offense relating to the duties and responsibilities of the education profession, including:

(1) an offense involving moral turpitude;

(2) an offense involving a form of sexual or physical abuse of a minor or student or other illegal conduct in which the victim is a minor or student;

(3) a felony offense involving the possession, transfer, sale, or distribution of or conspiracy to possess, transfer, sell, or distribute a controlled substance, as defined by Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code, or by 21 U.S.C. Section 801 et seq.;

(4) an offense involving the illegal transfer, appropriation, or use of school district funds or other district property; or

(5) an offense involving an attempt by fraudulent or unauthorized means to obtain or alter a professional certificate or license issued under this subchapter.