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Five (5) Attempt Limit Policy

Testing (Certification Exams)

Five (5) Attempt Limit

  • Limited number of attempts

    • The Texas Education Agency (TEA) limits candidates to FIVE (5) attempts to take a certification test. The five attempts include the first attempt to pass the examination and four retakes. The five attempts include any of the test approval methods (i.e., PACT, EPP, Out of State, Charter, and CBE). The TEA implemented this change to Texas Education Code ยง21.048 in response to House Bill 2205, 84th Texas Legislature, 2015.

      • Content Exams: If you do not pass your content exam(s) within the allowed number of attempts, you will not be eligible for certification in that particular subject.
      • Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility (PPR) Exams: If you do not pass the PPR within the allowed number of attempts, you will not be eligible for teacher certification in any subject or grade level in the state of Texas.
    • Waiver: If you do not pass an exam within FIVE (5) attempts, you may appeal for a waiver. This is processed through the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) for approval. Instructions are on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website.