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The Basics

To earn any California teaching credential the following requirements must be met:

Bachelor's Degree or higher from a regionally accredited university
Teacher preparation program (credential program, including student teaching)
Click here to find a teacher preparation program
Basic Skills Requirement Exam
Click here to find test preparation programs
Developing English Language Skills (reading instruction course)
U.S. Constitution course
Subject matter competency
Subject matter exam (CSET )
Subject matter program (major)
Computer technology course
Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA )—for multiple subject and education specialist credential only

If you hold or are qualified to hold a credential in another state , you may be able to apply for a preliminary credential. To find out, you must verify subject matter competency and answer some questions about yourself in the Make and Follow Your Plan section.

Not sure what grade level to teach? Gain experience by substitute teaching!

California has a two-tier credential structure.

A five-year preliminary credential is the first credential issued after an individual meets basic credential requirements.

A professional clear credential is issued when all credential requirements have been completed.