Employment

Teacher Certification & Credentials

Professional Growth Requirements

Beginning January 1, 2007, the renewal of professional clear credentials will no longer be linked to professional growth requirements. This new development affects teaching and service credentials including Designated Subjects Credentials. The removal of professional growth as a credential requirement includes both the 150 hours of activities and the experience requirement.  Child Development Permits will maintain a professional growth requirement for renewal.

Basic Skills Requirement

SB 1209 adds options to meet the basic skills requirement. The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) remains as one of the options. A basic skills examination from another state will also be acceptable effective January 1, 2007.

Following the establishment of passing scores, the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test, the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) Reasoning Test and the ACT Plus Writing test will also satisfy the basic skills requirement. The bill requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to set a passing score for this purpose for the GRE, SAT and ACT by July 31, 2007. SB 1209 also requires that by July 1, 2007, the CSET: Multiple Subjects examination be modified to add an assessment of basic writing skills. Once modified, the CSET: Multiple Subject examination will also meet the basic skills requirement.

Information for Out of State Teachers

California's credential for service in a self-contained classroom (elementary and middle school) is the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. The credential for service in departmentalized classes (junior high, middle and high school) is the Single Subject Teaching Credential. There are three steps to becoming a fully credentialed teacher in California. Below is an outline of the steps involved. Each step requires an application, fee and verification of requirements. Your fingerprint cards must be submitted for clearance with your first credential application.

Step 1: Two Year Preliminary Credential

A two-year preliminary credential is issued on verification of the following minimum requirements:

1. Bachelor's or Higher Degree*
2. Teacher Preparation Program including student teaching with a grade of "C" or better.
3. CBEST - California Basic Educational Skills Test

During this two year period, you must complete requirements #4, 5, & 6 for Step 2 below.

Step 2: Three Year Extension of Two Year Preliminary

A three-year extension credential is issued from the expiration date of the two year preliminary credential on successful completion of the following requirements:

4. U.S. Constitution - A college level course or examination.
5. Teaching of Reading - An approved course or Praxis Series Subject Assessment.
6. Subject-Matter Competence - Appropriate subject assessment

You may combine steps 1 & 2 for issuance of a five year preliminary credential.

Step 3: Professional Clear Credential

The professional clear credential is issued on completion of the following additional requirements:

7. Fifth Year Program - Usually defined as an organized program of 30 semester units beyond receipt of the Bachelor's degree. You will need the recommendation of a California college or university unless you have completed a post-baccalaureate fifth year outside of California.
8. Health Education - Including drug and alcohol abuse, nutrition, and training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR.)
9. Special Education - Mainstreaming.
10. Computer Education - Using computers in an educational setting.

The professional clear credential is issued for 5-year periods. During each 5-year period, you must complete 150 clock hours of professional growth activities and one-half year teaching experience. A school district advisor will help you plan your professional growth program.

SB 1209 changes the options available to out-of-state prepared teachers by directing the Commission to issue a five-year preliminary multiple subject, single subject or education specialist teaching credential to a teacher who meets the following requirements:

Teachers with less than two years of out-of-state teaching experience
Teachers with two or more years of out-of-state teaching experience
Out-of-State English Learner Authorization

Teachers prepared out-of-state who hold a valid out-of-state credential that authorizes instruction of English learners may earn a CLAD Certificate by submitting an application, fee, and appropriate supporting materials to the Commission.

Out-of-Country Prepared Teachers

Education Code section 44274.5 pertaining to teachers prepared in other countries is updated to include Induction as a requirement to earn a clear credential.

Experienced Private School Teachers

Private school teachers with six or more years of teaching experience will also need to satisfy the requirement of teaching English learners to earn a professional clear credential.

Substitute Teacher Requirements

The minimum requirements for substitute teaching assignments are a Bachelor's Degree and passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). If you meet these requirements, you may apply for an Emergency 30 Day Substitute Permit. The substitute permit is valid for one year and will allow you to substitute teach on a day to day basis for up to 30 days in the same classroom. For helpful information supporting substitute teachers, click here.

CBEST Requirement

Passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) examination. The examination includes three parts:

(a) Reading
(b) Writing
(c) Mathematics

Degree Requirement

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Authorization

Allows the holder to substitute on a day-to-day basis in grades K-12 for no more than 30 days for any one teacher during the school year. The 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit can be used anywhere in California.

*Substituting in a special education classroom is restricted to no more than 20 days for any one teacher during the school year.

Period of Validity

The Permit is valid for one calendar year from the date of application.

Applicants seeking initial employment in California public schools are required to provide verification of passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). For CBEST test booklets please call (916) 928-4001.

Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Before you contact California Commission on Teacher Credentials, contact the local county's Office of Education for information and assistance with California Credentials.

San Diego County Office of Education
Human Resources & Credentials
292-3581

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is the state agency that issues California credentials. If you would like to contact CTC, write:

Commission on Teacher Credentialing
P.O. Box 944270
Sacramento, CA 94244-2700

Contact the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, write to: credentials@ctc.ca.gov

As of January 1, 2007, online credential renewal will be required for teaching and service credentials. Child Development Permits can be renewed online, but it will not be required.  

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