TSI Exemptions, Exceptions & Waivers
All students taking college-level courses must satisfy Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment requirements, unless they qualify for a TSI exemption, exception or waiver.
TSI Exemptions
Official documents must be submitted to the Admissions and Registrar Office for determining exemption. Exemptions are permanent and do not need to be renewed each semester.
Score Exempt
Students who meet qualifying standards on the SAT, ACT or STAAR test may be eligible for an exemption.
| Test | Exemption Requirements | Expiration |
|---|---|---|
| SAT | There is no combined score, but you need:
and/or
|
Valid for 5 years |
| ACT | Test Taken Before February 15, 2023 A composite score of 23 with:
and/or
Test Taken On/After February 15, 2023
and/or
|
Valid for 5 years |
| STAAR | End-of-Course Assessment scores:
|
Valid for 5 years |
| GED (Effective May 12, 2021) |
|
Valid for 5 years |
| HiSET (Effective May 12, 2021 until August 31, 2021) |
|
Valid for 5 years |
Degree Exempt
Students who have earned an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited post-secondary institution or from a recognized international institution are exempt from all Texas Success Initiative requirements.
Transfer Exempt/Passed
Students whose previous Texas public college or university has determined that they have met minimum passing standards in reading, writing, and/or math are exempt in the curricular area/s indicated, but must develop and pursue an Academic Success Plan in any remaining area/s.
An official transcript or other appropriate documentation of status must be submitted.
Private/Out-of-State Transfer Exempt
Students who transfer from a regionally accredited college or university and have earned a grade of C in specific courses are exempt in the related TSI component.
An official transcript must be submitted.
Exempt for TSI Math
To be considered exempt for TSI Math, the student must have completed the equivalent to one of these courses with grade of C or better:
- MATH-1314 College Algebra
- MATH-1316 Trigonometry
- MATH-1324 Math for Business & Social Sciences
- MATH-1325 Calculus for Business & Social Sciences
- MATH-1350 Mathematics for Teachers I
- MATH-1351 Mathematics for Teachers II
- MATH-2305 Discrete Mathematics
- MATH-2318 Linear Algebra
- MATH-2320 Differential Equations
- MATH-2412 Pre-Calculus Math
- MATH-2413 Calculus I
- MATH-2414 Calculus II
- MATH-2415 Calculus III
Exempt on the Non-Algebraic Pathway for TSI Math
To be considered exempt on the Non-Algebraic Pathway for TSI Math, the student must have completed the equivalent to one of these courses with a grade of C or better:
- MATH-1332 Contemporary Math (Quantitative Reasoning)
- MATH-1342 Elementary Statistical Methods
Exempt for TSI English Language Arts and Reading
To be considered exempt for TSI English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR; formerly known as Reading and Writing, now one status), the student must have completed the equivalent to one of these courses with grade of C or better:
- ENGL-1301 Composition I
- ENGL-1302 Composition II
- ENGL-2322 British Literature I
- ENGL-2323 British Literature II
- ENGL-2327 American Literature I
- ENGL-2328 American Literature II
- ENGL-2332 World Literature I
- ENGL-2333 World Literature II
- GOVT-2305 Federal Government
- GOVT-2306 Texas Government
- HIST-1301 US History I
- HIST-1302 US History II
- PHIL-1301 Introduction to Philosophy
- PSYC-2301 General Psychology
- SOCI-1301 Introduction to Sociology
Course Exempt
Students who have completed a restricted course from a regionally accredited college or university earning a grade of C or higher are exempt in the curricular area of that course, but must develop and pursue an academic success plan with an advisor in any remaining area/s.
Veteran Exempt
Students who were honorably discharged, retired or released from active duty in the armed forces, the Texas National Guard or any reserve component of the armed forces, on or after August 1, 1990 may be exempt.
A DD214 form showing honorable or under honorable conditions (general) discharge status is required.
Military Waiver
Students on active duty in the armed forces, the Texas National Guard or any reserve component may be exempt. A letter from the commanding officer is required.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board provides more details about exemptions, exceptions and waivers. (Link will open in a new window)
TSI Waivers and Exceptions
Waivers must be renewed each semester.
Certificate Waiver
Students who are pursuing a one-year certificate of completion of no more than 42 hours are temporarily relieved of remediation requirements of the TSI.
Students with certificate waivers may enroll only in courses included in their certificate program. There may be courses in the certificate program that require placement testing.
Casual Student Waiver
Students who are not seeking a degree or certificate from a Texas public institution of higher education may qualify for a casual student waiver.
Students enrolling with a casual student waiver cannot enroll for any TSI restricted course and are ineligible for federal or state financial aid.
Exceptions
In certain instances, a campus administrator can approve a delay in or change of a student's academic success plan, but TCC is still responsible for the outcomes of those decisions. Such decisions must include written justification recorded on the academic success plan.
Delays will not exceed one semester, and a copy must be retained with the student's academic success plan in the counseling center. The administrator who approved the delay or change should monitor the student's progress to ensure timely completion of requirements of the TSI.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board provides more details about exemptions, exceptions and waivers. (Link will open in a new window)
Dual Credit Eligibility
Dual credit students are required to meet TSI requirements before enrolling in college-level coursework (as described in Texas legislation TAC 4.85).
In addition to the TSI exemptions and waivers already mentioned on this page, you may be eligible to enroll in dual credit courses if you qualify for one of the dual credit-specific waivers below.
TSI Waivers for Dual Credit Students
These waivers allow you to enroll in a dual credit course but do not automatically make you TSI complete upon high school graduation.
| Test | Math Waiver Requirements | English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) Waiver Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| ACT-Aspire | At least 431 on the Math test | At least 435 on the English test |
| PLAN | A composite score of 23 with: At least 19 on the Math test |
A composite score of 23 with: At least 19 on the English test |
| PSAT/NMSQT | At least 510 on the Math test | At least 460 on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) test |
| STAAR | At least 4000 on Algebra I STAAR EOC exam and At least a grade of 70 in Algebra II course for two semesters, with one full credit on the high school transcript |
At least 4000 on English II STAAR EOC exam |
More About TSI Waivers for Dual Credit Students
These requirements are only needed for the subject in which you wish to enroll. Example: You must meet the math waiver requirements to enroll in a math course.
These waivers are temporary until you complete and pass your dual credit course. At this point, the waiver becomes a permanent exemption for that section/subject of the TSI Assessment.
If you don't pass the dual credit course, the dual credit waiver is removed, and you must take the TSI Assessment or provide scores that meet a TSI exemption.
All test scores must be documented on an official document from the high school. Faxes, student score reports, or copies are not considered official.
Updated August 15, 2023