Texas law allows individuals who are “hearing impaired,” according to the definition stated below, to be issued a Temporary Exemption Certificate to enable them to serve as a teacher without passing certain written tests for educator certification (Texas Education Code, Sections 21.048[b-d]).

• You are eligible to obtain the Temporary Exemption Certificate only if you satisfy both of the following requirements:
  
  
  1. You meet the following definition of hearing impaired: “Hearing impaired means a hearing impairment so severe that the person cannot process linguistic information with or without amplification.” (TEC §21.048[d][1]).
  2. You have satisfied all requirements for certification except successful completion of the required certification exams. (Note: If successful completion of the TExES ASL test, TASC, and/or TASC-ASL is required, you must pass that test(s) even if you are hearing impaired.)

Please submit a Help Desk ticket for additional guidance. You may submit completed applications through the online submission form.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Test Exemption Instructions

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Test Exemption Application

Audiologist Report Form