California Teacher Certification

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing is responsible for California teacher certification. California offers a large number of teaching and education related credentials. The focus of this article will be on the credentials necessary to teach at the elementary and secondary school level. California also offers credentials in the following areas: administrative services, adult and vocational education, child development permits, clinical or rehabilitative services, emergency permits, English learners, documents that authorize instruction to English learners, library media, pupil personnel services, reading certificates, school nurse, special education, specialist instruction, and specialist credential in reading and language arts.

California offers the following two-tiered credential structure for teaching at the elementary and secondary school level:

• Preliminary Credential - There are two Preliminary credentials that allow an individual to teach at an elementary, middle, or secondary school level:
  • The Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. It is valid for a maximum of five years and allows the holder to teach preschool, K-12, or adult classes in a self-contained classroom setting, which is typical of elementary schools. In addition, the holder of this credential may serve in a core or team teaching setting. This credential may not be renewed. To continue teaching beyond the five year validity period, the holder of a Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential must earn a Professional Clear Multiple Subject Credential.
  • The Single Subject Teaching Credential. It is valid for five years and allows the holder to teach the specific subject or subjects named on the credential in a departmentalized classroom setting as is common in most middle schools and high schools. Holders of this certificate may also teach their subject or subjects in grades K-12, or classes for adults. This credential may not be renewed. To continue teaching beyond the five year validity period, the holder of a Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential must earn a Professional Clear Single Subject Credential.
• Professional Clear Credential. Similar to the Preliminary Credential, the Professional Clear Credential is available as a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or a Single Subject Teaching Credential, with the same classroom and subject matter stipulations as outlined above. The Professional Clear Credential must be renewed every five years.

Holders of valid teaching credentials may also add supplementary and/or subject matter authorizations to an existing credential by completing the necessary requirements for the named authorization.

California also offers limited assignment teaching permits that allow a fully-credentialed teacher to teach outside of their area of certification while they work on the subject-matter requirements for an added authorization, subject matter authorization, or supplementary authorization. There are also several types of substitute teaching permits, allowing day-to-day substitute teaching for short periods of time.

The Process for California Teacher Certification

California has a rigorous process to obtain a Preliminary Teaching Credential. To obtain either a Multiple Subject or Single Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential, an individual must:

• Complete a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.
• Complete a multiple subject or a single subject teacher preparation program that includes student teaching from a California College or University and obtain a formal recommendation for a Preliminary Credential. Individuals completing an out-of-state teacher preparation program must do so in a state determined to have equivalent standards to California. Consult the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing web site for a listing of such states.
• Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST).
• Complete a comprehensive reading instruction course to satisfy the developing English language skills including reading requirement.
• Individuals seeking a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential must pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).
• Complete an acceptable course in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution. An individual may pass a test given by an accredited college or university to satisfy this requirement.
• Verify knowledge of the subject to be taught by one of the following:
  • Achieving a passing score on the appropriate subject matter examination(s).
  • Completing a Commission-approved subject matter program with verification of completion.
• Complete a foundational computer technology course that includes general and specialized computer skills in education.

To obtain a Professional Clear Credential, an individual must complete one of three options:

1. Complete a Commission-approved Professional Teacher Induction Program through an approved school district, county office of education, college or university, consortium, or private school.
2. Complete a fifth year of study and secure a recommendation for a Professional Clear Credential from a California college or university with a state-approved teacher preparation program. This option is only available to holders of SB 2402 preliminary credentials issued before August 30, 2004. Holders of such credentials issued after August 30, 2004 must complete option 1 above.
3. Obtain National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification. Individuals with NBPTS certification will be issued a Professional Clear Credential in the corresponding California subject area(s).

All candidates seeking California teaching credentials must receive fingerprint clearance from the California Department of Justice and the FBI. This process is normally completed when an applicant applies for a first-time credential.

Certification for Teachers Certified in Other States

Individuals with NBPTS certification will be issued a California Professional Clear Credential in the subject area of their NBPTS certificate. Individuals who hold NBPTS certification in Early Childhood, Middle Childhood, and early adolescence will be issued a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. All others will be issued the appropriate Single Subject Teaching Credentials.

Individuals who have a valid teaching certificate from another state may obtain either a Preliminary or Professional Clear Teaching Credential in California. The requirements vary according to the amount of teaching experience for the certificate holder.

Five or More Years of Teaching Experience

Individuals with five or more years of out-of-state teaching experience may obtain a Preliminary Teaching Credential by documenting that:

• They have a bachelor's or higher degree. For individuals seeking a Single Subject Credential, the academic major must be in the subject of the credential sought.
• They have satisfactorily completed a professional education program in either elementary or secondary education.
• They have been issued a comparable teaching certificate from another state.
• They have five or more years of teaching experience in the appropriate classroom setting.
• They have received satisfactory or better performance evaluations.

Individuals with professional preparation in elementary education who hold an elementary school certificate from another state will be issued a Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Individuals with professional preparation in secondary education who hold a secondary or single-subject certificate from another state will be issued a Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential.

To obtain their Professional Clear Teaching Credential, these individuals must:

• Hold a Preliminary Teaching Credential based upon their teaching experience.
• Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) during their first year of certification.
• Complete 150 clock hours of professional growth activities that contribute to competence, performance, and effectiveness in the profession of education.

Three of Four Years of Teaching Experience

With the exception of teaching experience, the requirements to obtain a Preliminary Teaching Credential are the same as those for individuals with five or more years of teaching experience.

To obtain their Professional Clear Teaching Credential, these individuals must:

• Hold a Preliminary Teaching Credential based upon their teaching experience.
• Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) during their first year of certification.
• Complete a Commission-approved Professional Teacher Induction Program.

Less Than Three Years of Teaching eEperience or From a State Without Equivalent Standards

As one wold anticipate, the requirements for individuals who fall in this category are more rigorous. These individuals must:

• Have a Bachelor's degree or higher.
• Have satisfactorily completed a professional preparation program with student teaching, or verify completion of three successful years of teaching experience on a valid out-of-state certificate in the last 10 years.

To obtain their Professional Clear Teaching Certificate, these individuals must:

• Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) during their first year of certification.
• Fulfill the developing English language skills including reading requirement.
• Fulfill the U.S. Constitution requirement.
• Fulfill the subject matter competence requirement by either passing the appropriate subject matter test(s) or completing a Commission-approved subject matter program.
• Fulfill the foundational and advanced computer education requirement.
• Hold a Master's degree or higher or complete 30 semester units beyond a bachelor's degree in a field of study to improve teacher competence and skills; or complete a fifth year of study at a California college or university with an approved teacher preparation program; or complete a Commission-approved Professional Teacher Induction Program.

All candidates seeking California teaching credentials must receive fingerprint clearance from the California Department of Justice and the FBI.

California Teaching Credential Renewal

Professional Clear Credentials may be renewed by:

• Completing the professional growth requirement of 150 clock-hours of participation in activities that contribute to competence, performance, or effectiveness in education.
• Completing the professional service requirement of serving for at least one-half of a school year in another professional capacity in a public or private preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school.
• Submitting the appropriate application and fee.