HCDE Principal Certification program begins in January 2025 and will be completed in December 2025. It is a hybrid program that integrates on-ground leadership experiences, seminars, online reflective assignments, and leading experts in the field of educational leadership.

• Seminars begin in January 2025 and end in December 2025
  • *Orientation is held in January 2025.
• Sessions are held twice a month on Tuesday
  • Two 3-hours session + 1 hour of pre-work
  • Sessions are live virtual from 4pm-7pm

Step 1: Submit an Online Application

Step 2: Submit Official Transcripts (Bachelor's and Master's)

• From ALL Universities
• Sent directly to CES@hcde-tecxas.org

Step 3: Complete an Online Skills Demonstration and Virtual Interview 

Principal Certification Program Cost

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External Costs

Note: Costs are subject to change

The following items/actions are required for admission:

Texas Administrative Code 241.20

• Hold, at a minimum, a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education that at the time was accredited or otherwise approved by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
• Hold a valid classroom teaching certificate.
• Have two creditable years of teaching experience as a classroom teacher, as defined in Chapter 153, Subchapter CC, of Part 2 of this title (relating to Commissioner's Rules on Creditable Years of Service) and the Texas Education Code, §5.001(2);

HCDE Requirements

• Comprehensive interview and leadership skills demonstration
• Provide a baccalaureate degree and master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education that at the time was accredited or otherwise approved by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
• Master’s Degree must indicate a 3.0 GPA
• Official transcripts must be submitted for all attended institutions from the accredited institution directly to Center for Educator Success through CES@hcde-texas.org

*Candidates must meet both the Texas Administrative Code 241. 20 requirements and the HCDE Program Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 200 hours of coursework
• Complete 160 hours of a practicum
• Complete (3) 45-minute formal observations demonstrating Texas Principal Standards
• Complete (3) informal observations demonstrating Texas Principal Standards
• Successfully pass TExES 268 and TExES 368 certification exams
• Complete a successful background check
• Pay all programmatic and certification fees

The state requires all Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) to have an exit policy for the dismissal of candidates that is published, reviewed, and signed by candidates when they are admitted to the program. The requirement is found in 19 TAC §228.20(h). 

HCDE Center for Educator Success participants may be removed from the HCDE Alternative Certification Program (HCDE ACP) when candidates demonstrate behavior inconsistent with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions expected of teachers and leaders in Texas. Dismissal from the program may be based on grounds including but not limited to: 

1. Failure to abide by policies and/or procedures established by the HCDE ACP and/or program requirements established by the State Board for Educator Certification as published in the Texas Administrative Code. 

2. Failure to abide by the HCDE Center for Educator Success’s Candidate Handbook policies and expectations. 

3. Any action deemed a violation of the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators, and/or; 

4. Any action deemed a violation of Fitness to Teach Policy; and/or; 

5. Any action deemed a violation of school district and/or campus policy during field-based experiences, clinical teaching, internship, or practicum. 

6. Failure to comply with probation/suspension terms if applicable.  

7. Moving to an ‘Inactive Candidate’ status. An ‘Inactive Candidate’ is one who is no longer completing coursework, training, and/or testing requirements with HCDE ACP after one semester of inactivity. 

8. Failure to complete HCDE Center for Educator Success and TEA certification expectations in a timely manner. 

A candidate may be placed on probation/suspension due to inadequate progress. The terms and length of probation/suspension will be determined by the Compliance Manager or Senior Director based on the circumstances and documented in the candidate’s file. A candidate may be dismissed from the program without first being placed on probation/suspension depending on the severity of the violation or offense. Inadequate progress includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

1. Nonpayment of program fees.   

2. Failure to pass required content exams within two years of admission date.  

3. Failure to meet Timeline for Program Completion.   

4. Excessive absences.  

5. Failure to complete required coursework according to program timelines. 

Should a Candidate be removed from the HCDE Alternative Certification Program (HCDE ACP): 

1. The Candidate’s campus leader and/or HR team may be notified; 

2. The Candidate shall forfeit any sums of money paid to HCDE ACP during their enrollment in the program;  

3. The Candidate may be eligible for readmission in the HCDE Alternative Certification Program (HCDE ACP) on a case-by-case basis. 

 

Other External Costs Associated with the Principal Certification Process*

TexEs Principal #268 Exam	Due at test registration to Pearson	$210
Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) #368	Due at test registration to ETS	$375
Intern / Probationary Certificate	If needed, payable to SBEC	$78
Principal Standard Certificate	After completing program requirements, payable to SBEC	$78
Advancing Educational Leadership (AEL) Training	Register with any Regional Service Center	$450
Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System / T-TESS Certified Appraiser Training	Register with any Regional Service Center	$325 - $375

*Cost subject to change