10 Oct 2025

How to Become a Paraprofessional in Texas

Zen Educate Content Team

min read

Paraprofessionals provide educational assistance to licensed teachers working in classroom environments.

They may work one-on-one or in small groups with students or provide various other forms of help to the teacher in the context of classroom management, organization, and other support-related activities.

In Texas, there are very specific requirements for becoming a paraprofessional. In this article, we take a look at the basic prerequisites and explain how you can stand out when applying for education jobs.

Educational Requirements

There are several different levels of certification that are possible in the state of Texas. To be issued an educational aide certificate, you're going to need to first find employment by a school district and meet one of three levels of certification:

Educational Aide 1: This is the most basic form of paraprofessional work. It requires only a high school diploma or a GED certification. Educational Aide 1 certifications require either proven experience working in an educational setting—this can include daycares, youth groups, private schools, etc.—or completion of educational training courses with a final grade of 70% or higher.
Educational Aide 2: All of the same requirements described above are necessary for an Educational Aide 2 certification. There is also the additional requirement of passing a state-issued assessment. The test will evaluate your ability in mathematics, science, reading, and writing.
Educational Aide 3: Educational Aide 3 is the highest certification available to a paraprofessional. To reach this certification, you not only have to satisfy all of the qualifications described in Educational Aide 1 certification, but you also need at least three years working as a paraprofessional or 30 hours of college credit with an emphasis on an education-related subject area.

These requirements are not necessary in private schools.

Additional Requirements

If you are applying for a school that receives federal funding for low-income students, there may be additional requirements.

Generally speaking, you'll need to have completed forty-eight hours of college coursework or demonstrate a “rigorous standard of quality”.

Note that a rigorous standard of quality is generally proven through the completion of state-issued assessments that test your ability to instruct in the core subject areas that you will be assisting with. Generally, reading, writing, math, and science.

Title I schools are required to ensure that you have a state-issued Educational Aide certification before they allow you to work in the classroom setting.

Application Process

Here's what it takes to get certified in the state of Texas:

Step One: Secure Employment: In Texas, you cannot apply for full certification until you have secured employment within a public school district. While this may sound counterintuitive, understand that the school will be aware of this requirement and will be prepared to work with you as you satisfy the following steps. The key to finding work as a paraprofessional? Send a strong application detailing your commitment to the role. While school districts are used to working with unlicensed applicants, you may still be competing with people who are fully certified. A strong application will help.
Step Two: Create Accounts at TEAL: TEAL (Texas Education Agency Login) is simply the account you will use to access ECOS (Educator Certification Online System)—the online hub where you will apply for your license.
Step Three: Complete Training Requirements: As mentioned earlier, there are specialized training programs throughout the state that offer three-day sessions followed by an assessment.
Step Four: Attain a District Recommendation: Once you have completed all of the training requirements, you will need a letter of recommendation from the school district where you have achieved employment. This recommendation will be sent to the Texas Education Agency.
Step Five: Complete a Background Check: Your background check will include a complete review of any criminal history. This is a requirement of the State Board of Education.
Step Six: Receive Your Certification: Assuming that all of these steps are passed successfully, you will now receive your state certification.

While the process sounds lengthy, it can actually be accomplished in a matter of weeks. The good news is that you don't have to wait to start working.

Once you're hired, you can begin your paraprofessional career while working on all of the other state requirements.

Texas gives aspiring paraprofessionals one year from the time that they are hired to complete all of the other requirements.

Standing Out

It's common to worry that you won't be taken seriously as an applicant with little more than a high school diploma to your name. Education jobs can be competitive, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, know that school districts have a pretty constant need for new paraprofessionals. You'll have lots and lots of opportunities to apply for jobs, and if you write a strong enough resume, you will get called for interviews eventually.

Any experience you can highlight working with kids is going to be to your advantage. Work in a daycare. A summer camp.

Even if you have really strong experience as a babysitter and can back it up with a few great letters of recommendation, it will stand out.

They're also going to respond really well to any reliability signals that you can demonstrate. You would be very surprised how often paraprofessionals simply don't show up for work or quit in the middle of the week without any notice.

If you can demonstrate consistency and trustworthiness, it's going to go a long way toward getting your application taken seriously.

To that end, even being able to show a long work history with a single employer, regardless of whether or not it's education-related, can be a help. It signals to the person reading your resume that you're consistent.

Finally, look for ways to highlight skills that are valuable in the classroom: communication, organization, the ability to multitask, and a proven history of achievement in high-pressure situations. It definitely helps to demonstrate a passion for working with children. What attracts you to the world of teaching? Develop a way of explaining this to a potential employer in two sentences or less, and you'll have a great shot of getting called for an interview.

Once you do get an interview, the key is to show up on time, dress professionally, and generally prove yourself to be the professional they are looking for. Your search for a job working as a paraprofessional in Texas might not generate immediate success, but if you give yourself enough time and hone your skills, you'll be able to get a job. If you give yourself enough time and hone your resume, you will eventually find employment.