SBEC Severity Estimator
Estimate the sanction range Texas SBEC is likely to seek based on the alleged Educator Code of Ethics violation and aggravating factors.
What SBEC Is and How Educator Cases Begin
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) sets the standards for Texas educator certification and decides disciplinary matters against certificate holders and applicants. The day-to-day work — investigations, charging decisions, and proposed sanctions — is handled by Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff under the rules in Title 19 of the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 249 (Disciplinary Proceedings, Sanctions, and Contested Cases). A case usually begins when TEA receives a referral: a superintendent report of misconduct, a parent or community complaint, a criminal-history match, or a mandatory report tied to a resignation or termination. TEA staff then investigate to decide whether the conduct, if proven, would warrant a sanction under Chapter 249.
The Range of Sanctions
SBEC has a graduated set of outcomes. Where a particular case lands depends on the conduct category, the facts, and TEA/SBEC discretion — not on any fixed formula. The table below lists the common sanction levels from least to most severe.
| Sanction (least → most severe) | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| Non-inscribed reprimand | A formal rebuke that is not published on the public certificate record the same way an inscribed reprimand is. |
| Inscribed reprimand | A formal rebuke that appears publicly on the educator’s certificate record. |
| Suspension | The certificate is inactive for a set period; the educator generally cannot work on it during that time. |
| Revocation | The certificate is cancelled; eligibility to seek a new one later depends on the rules and the facts. |
| Surrender in lieu of discipline | The educator voluntarily gives up the certificate rather than continue contesting the matter. |
| Permanent revocation | The certificate is revoked with no path to reinstatement; required in certain categories. |
What Drives Severity
Several factors push a matter toward the higher or lower end of that range. The conduct category itself is the starting point — a paperwork or testing-protocol issue is treated very differently from conduct involving a student. Whether there was student harm is a major driver. So is the educator’s criminal history, including any related charges or convictions. Candor matters too: dishonesty or a lack of cooperation during the investigation can aggravate the outcome, while honesty and remediation may be viewed more favorably. Finally, some conduct falls into a mandatory-sanction category, where TEA and SBEC have little or no discretion. How these factors combine in a specific file ultimately depends on the conduct category, the facts, and TEA/SBEC judgment.
Mandatory Permanent Revocation Categories
For certain serious offenses, Chapter 249 removes discretion entirely and requires permanent revocation. The clearest example is an improper relationship between an educator and a student under Texas Penal Code § 21.12; other listed crimes can trigger the same result. In these categories there is no negotiated middle ground — if the triggering finding is established, permanent revocation follows. Because the consequences are absolute, whether a given allegation actually falls inside a mandatory category is one of the most important early questions, and it depends on the precise charge, the rule text, and how the facts map onto 19 TAC Chapter 249.
How the Process Works
After investigating a referral, TEA staff decide whether to pursue a sanction. If they do, they may offer an agreed final order — a negotiated resolution that the educator can accept or decline. If the matter is not resolved by agreement, it becomes a contested case and can proceed to a hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), where an administrative law judge hears evidence and issues a proposal for decision. SBEC then adopts the final action. A separate criminal case may be running in parallel; the criminal court and the SBEC process are independent of each other, and the outcome of one does not automatically control the other.
Why Early Counsel Matters
The earliest stages — the investigation and any agreed-order discussions — often shape everything that follows. How an educator responds to TEA’s initial contact, what is disclosed, and whether a proposed sanction is accepted or contested can affect both the certification matter and any parallel criminal exposure. Because the rules are technical and some categories carry mandatory consequences, this estimator is only a starting point and is general information, not legal advice. An educator facing an SBEC referral should consult a licensed Texas attorney experienced in educator-certification defense before responding to TEA, signing anything, or making statements. L and L Law Group offers a free consultation at (972) 370-5060.
Frequently asked questions
What is SBEC and who actually handles my case?
SBEC is the State Board for Educator Certification, which sets Texas certification standards and decides educator discipline. The investigation and proposed sanction are handled by Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff under the rules in 19 TAC Chapter 249. TEA staff investigate the referral, may offer an agreed resolution, and present contested matters; SBEC then adopts the final action. The board and its staff work together, but where your matter lands depends on the conduct category, the facts, and their discretion.
What sanctions can SBEC impose?
The range runs, generally from least to most severe: non-inscribed reprimand, inscribed reprimand, suspension for a set period, revocation, surrender in lieu of discipline, and permanent revocation. A reprimand is a formal rebuke; a suspension makes the certificate inactive for a time; revocation cancels it. Which outcome applies is not fixed in advance — it depends on the conduct category, the facts, and TEA/SBEC discretion. No particular result is guaranteed.
What is the difference between an inscribed and a non-inscribed reprimand?
Both are formal reprimands, but they differ in visibility. An inscribed reprimand is published on the educator’s public certificate record, so it can be seen by anyone who checks certification status. A non-inscribed reprimand is not published on the record in that same public way. Both are real disciplinary actions that go in the file, and which one applies in a given case depends on the conduct category, the facts, and TEA/SBEC judgment.
What makes an SBEC case more serious?
Severity is driven by the conduct category, whether a student was harmed, the educator’s criminal history, and candor during the investigation. Dishonesty or refusing to cooperate can aggravate the outcome, while honesty and remediation may help. Some conduct also falls into a mandatory-sanction category with little or no discretion. These factors interact differently in every file, so the likely range always depends on the specific conduct category, the facts, and how TEA and SBEC weigh them.
What conduct triggers mandatory permanent revocation?
Certain serious offenses require permanent revocation with no discretion. A leading example is an improper relationship with a student under Texas Penal Code § 21.12; other crimes listed in 19 TAC Chapter 249 can trigger the same mandatory result. If the triggering finding is established, permanent revocation follows and there is no negotiated middle ground. Whether a specific allegation actually falls inside a mandatory category depends on the exact charge and how the facts map onto the rule, which is worth confirming early with counsel.
Does the estimator tell me what will happen in my case?
No. The estimator gives a general sense of where a matter might fall in the sanction range based on broad inputs. It cannot predict an outcome, and nothing here is a guarantee. Real cases turn on the precise conduct category, the evidence, criminal history, candor, and TEA/SBEC discretion. Treat the result as educational context, not advice, and confirm your actual exposure with a licensed Texas attorney experienced in educator-certification defense before you act on it.
How does the SBEC process work after a referral?
TEA staff investigate the referral and decide whether to pursue a sanction. They may offer an agreed final order, which you can accept or decline. If the matter is not resolved by agreement, it becomes a contested case and can proceed to a hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), where a judge hears evidence. SBEC then adopts the final action. A parallel criminal case may also exist and is handled separately from the certification process.
Why should I talk to a lawyer before responding to TEA?
The investigation and any agreed-order discussions often shape the entire outcome, and statements made early can affect both the certification matter and any parallel criminal case. Some categories carry mandatory consequences, so an apparently minor response can matter a great deal. A licensed Texas attorney experienced in educator-certification defense can help you understand the conduct category, the rules in 19 TAC Chapter 249, and your options. L and L Law Group offers a free consultation at (972) 370-5060.
Cite this tool
Bluebook: Reggie London & Njeri London, SBEC Severity Estimator, L&L Law Group (May 30, 2026), https://landllawgroup.com/tools/sbec-severity-estimator/.
APA: London, R., & London, N. (2026, May 30). SBEC Severity Estimator. L&L Law Group.