Texas · Career guide
How to become a Principal in Texas
Principals manage a school's instruction, operations, staff, family engagement, and student safety. The role typically requires 3-5 years of classroom teaching, a master's degree in educational leadership, completion of a state-approved principal preparation program, and passage of a state administrator licensure exam. Salaries materially exceed classroom-teacher pay (often by 40-70%) but the hours and accountability are correspondingly higher.
No principal / school leadership positions are open in Texas right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in Texas
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Most candidates complete a teacher-preparation program either as part of their undergraduate studies or as a post-baccalaureate add-on.
- Pass the required exams. Texas typically requires:
- Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) Core Subjects — Content knowledge for elementary educators
- TExES Content Area Examinations — Subject knowledge for secondary and specialty areas
- TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) — Professional knowledge and teaching practice
Principal / administrator licensure is a distinct tier with its own preparation program and exam. Some states require an internship under a sitting principal as part of certification.
- Apply for your initial license through Texas Education Agency (TEA). The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Texas Education Agency (TEA) →
- Job-search in Texas. We'll track principal / school leadership openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.
Alternative pathways in Texas
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Texas offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Texas Alternative Certification Programs (ACP): Offered by approved providers; teach while completing coursework
- Teach For America (active in Houston, Dallas, and Rio Grande Valley)
- iTeach and other private ACP providers
- Career and Technical Education certificates
Texas salary context
Average teacher salary in Texas: $57,641/year (rank #20 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $33,000/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Texas salary guide for the breakdown.