This certification provides the opportunity for those in a variety of areas including auto technology, auto body, machine shop, welding, cosmetology, drafting, and many others to earn a credential to instruct in their specific areas in a secondary public school. Admission to the T&I program does not guarantee certification.

Please note a criminal background check will be done on ALL candidates prior to issuance of the certificate. Click here to see the statement from the State Board of Education.

Initial Qualifications Trades and Industry

Option I.

• Bachelor's or Associate's degree from an accredited institution.
• Three years of full-time wage-earning experience, within the past eight years, in one or more approved occupations for which instruction is offered. The experience must be university approved to prepare teachers for the TIE certificate. 

Option II.

• High School diploma or the equivalent.
• Five years of full-time wage-earning experience, within the past eight years, in one or more approved occupations for which instruction is offered. The experience must be approved by the certification officer of a college or university approved to prepare teachers for the TIE certificate.

Enrollment Procedures:

• Download the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in Word format, or contact one of the Texas State University-San Marcos representatives in San Antonio at Lackland AFB, at the RRHEC in Austin, or call the campus office in San Marcos at (512) 245-2115.
• Complete the SOQ, listing all full time and part-time work since leaving high school.
• Obtain an official high school or college transcript.
• Obtain three references using the downloaded form, which will verify your work experience.
• Provide an industry-approved certificate or license related to your trade or employment field. Check with our office for information about an alternative, if you do not currently have an industry-approved certificate or license.
• Mail the completed SOQ, the transcript, your three references, a copy of your industry-approved certificate or license and $40.00 to:

Occupational/Career and Technology Education
Texas State University-San Marcos
601 University Drive
San Marcos, Texas 78666-4616

After verifying your qualifications, the certification worksheet will be mailed to your home address. (The certification worksheet does not constitute admission to the university.)

You may contact the OCED office at (512) 245-2115 to check on your status. You must complete your program and take the TeXes Certification test before you receive your certification. Please contact your advisor regularly to be sure you are on track to getting your certification.

Complete the admission to university process by contacting the Undergraduate Admissions office at (512) 245-2364 or the Graduate Admissions office at (512) 245-2581.

If you are enrolling as a degree-seeking student, complete a new student orientation either through the web site or in person at one of the Texas State University-San Marcos offices.

Call (512) 245-2115 to attend the orientation on campus. To obtain orientation information in San Antonio, call (210) 659-0954.

Applicants seeking certification as part of the graduate degree program should contact a graduate adviser by calling (512) 245-2115.

Return to the Certification page