A 90 Day Exception was created for candidates that are formally admitted to Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) within 45 days of the first day kids start school in the hiring school district. 

What is a 90 day exception?

The code defines this as:

(subsection 22) Late Hire – An individual who has not been accepted into an educator preparation program before the 45th day before the first day of instruction and who is hired for a teaching assignment by a school after the 45th day before the first day of instruction or after the school’s academic year has begun (Texas Education Code).

The rule allows a candidate to be hired after passing their TExES content exam, before they complete their pre-service training (10 plus online training modules) and 30 hours of field-based observations. 

How 90 Day Exceptions help school districts fill critical teaching needs

In today’s tight job market, employers in all industries are scrambling to find great people and fill openings quickly.

Roughly, thirty thousand (30,000) new teachers are needed every year in Texas. Texas colleges only produce approximately 14,000 of these, leaving alternative certification programs to supply the balance.  As the start of school approaches in August, districts become increasingly frantic.

In response to this, under Chapter 228 of the Texas Education Code, a late hire exception was added to provide more opportunities to fill positions.

Am I eligible for a 90 day exception?

To be eligible for immediate hire, candidates must:

  1. Meet the minimum requirement to be formally admitted to an approved Educator Preparation Program like Teachworthy, within 45 days of the first day of school, or once a school year has started.
  2. Pass the TExES exam for the content area you are seeking to teach. 

How does it work?

Once you have been formally admitted, you will begin your 10 plus online training modules and start preparing for your content exam.  You must pass a content exam in your subject area and pass the PPR exam once you have completed your online training modules.

If you are not sure what grade level or subject you want to teach, your Teachworthy Program Advisor will guide you through the selection process. They will share with you what content areas are in the highest demand and see what best fits your college coursework.

If you are formally admitted to an EPP within 45 days of a district’s first day of student instruction, the Texas Education Agency allows you to be hired by school districts without completing their pre-service training and classroom observation hours.

Once a candidate is hired, they have 90 school days (based on the first day with students in the classroom and on the hiring district’s academic calendar) to complete the training requirements and retain their intern teaching certificate and position with the school district.

How to get started

If you’re interested in teaching, visit with your personalized Teachworthy Program Advisor to discuss if you may qualify for a late hire exception.

To qualify for the 90 Day Exception, you will need to apply to Teachworthy, receive your certification plan and pass your content exam.

Teachworthy 90 Day Exception includes:

  1. Applying for free (unofficial completed bachelor’s degree transcripts at a minimum are needed, minimum GPA of 2.5)
  2. Developing a certification plan with your dedicated program advisor
  3. Preparing for your content exams through our partner, Certify Teacher or 240 Tutoring at a discount.
  4. Gaining access to our web-based learning tools while you study

*Additional information will be emailed to you when you submit your application.

If you are not sure what grade level or subject you want to teach, your Teachworthy Program Advisor will guide you through the selection process.  They will share with you what content areas are in the highest demand and see what best fits your college coursework.

Hear what Richard Marroquin has to say, once a candidate with Teachworthy and now a Principal in Harlandale ISD:

Additional resources to help you on your journey