CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

In California, a Single Subject Teaching Credential authorizes the holder to teach a specific subject in a departmentalized class (grades K–12); this credential is primarily used in middle and secondary schools (grades 7–12). A Multiple Subject Teaching Credential enables the holder to teach all subjects in a self-contained classroom (grades K–12); this credential is used primarily in elementary schools (grades K–6). An Education Specialist Instruction Credential authorizes the holder to teach students in grades K–12 with the specific disability or impairment noted on the document. The Bilingual Authorization is explained more fully later in this section.

Information about certification requirements is provided below in the following sections:

If you plan on fulfilling a requirement by passing one or more of the examinations of the CSET, please note that you may take an examination of CSET only if you have earned, at minimum, a high school diploma, a GED, or the equivalent, or if you are or have been a student taking courses for college credit pursuant to a career in education. If you are uncertain about your eligibility to test, please contact the CTC for approval to test.

Subject Matter Competence Requirement

To earn a Multiple Subject or Single Subject Teaching Credential or an Education Specialist Instruction Credential, as well as other credentials, it is necessary to verify your subject matter competence as a part of your teaching qualifications. Teacher candidates must fulfill this requirement before assuming whole-class instruction (student teaching) or becoming the teacher of record. For candidates who completed their teacher preparation program in another state, the subject matter competence requirement may also be met through other options; please contact the CTC for more information regarding these options.

Basic Skills Requirement

The California Education Code and Title 5 Regulations specify that in most cases applicants for any credential, certificate, or permit to serve in California public schools must verify basic skills proficiency before the credential, certificate, or permit will be issued. For Multiple Subject and Single Subject Teaching Credential candidates, the basic skills requirement must be met prior to being assigned daily responsibility for whole-class instruction in student teaching or serving as an intern.

Beginning in 2007, passage of SB 1209 (Chap. 517, Stats. 2006) made available multiple options for meeting the basic skills requirement. Passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test™ (CBEST®) remains one of the options. As an added option, candidates who pass all three subtests of CSET: Multiple Subjects AND CSET: Writing Skills will be considered proficient in the basic skills of reading, writing, and mathematics and will not be required to take the CBEST to earn a teaching credential. On January 1, 2009, SB 1186 added two more options for satisfying the basic skills requirement.  These are (1) passage of both the English and mathematics sections of the California State University (CSU) Early Assessment Program (EAP) and (2) passage of both the CSU Placement Examinations: English Placement Test (EPT) and the Entry-Level Mathematics Test (ELM). For more information regarding the basic skills requirement, including information regarding those trained outside of California, see the CTC's website at www.ctc.ca.gov. The basic skills requirement may also be a condition of California employment and of program enrollment. Please contact the agency where you are considering employment or program enrollment for information.

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

To earn a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, all candidates who enrolled in a California multiple subject teacher preparation program on or after July 1, 2004, must pass a CTC-approved subject matter examination, currently CSET: Multiple Subjects (all three subtests). For more information about NCLB requirements, candidates are encouraged to consult with the credential analyst at their institution or with their employer.

Single Subject Teaching Credential

Candidates wishing to earn a Single Subject Teaching Credential may verify their subject matter competence in one of the following ways:

One way to fulfill the subject matter competence requirement is to complete a subject matter preparation program or its equivalent at a California college or university. Only programs that have been evaluated and approved by the CTC fulfill this requirement. (The CTC has evaluated and approved numerous programs at over 70 accredited institutions as noted on the CTC website. Check with a credential analyst at one of these CTC-approved institutions to determine whether your educational experience satisfies its program requirements.)

Another way to verify your subject matter competence is to pass one or more of the subject matter examinations and/or locally administered proficiency assessments adopted by the CTC. For the Single Subject Teaching Credential, you may pass the appropriate combination of subtests listed in the following table to verify your subject matter competence.

Credential Area CSET Subtests Required
Agriculture Agriculture Subtest I (172)
Agriculture Subtest II (173)
Agriculture Subtest III (174)
American Sign Language American Sign Language Subtest I (186)
American Sign Language Subtest II (187)
American Sign Language Subtest III (188)
Arabic Arabic Subtest I (192)
Arabic Subtest II (193)
Armenian Armenian Subtest I (194)
Armenian Subtest II (195)
Art Art Subtest I (140)
Art Subtest II (141)
Biological Sciences (Specialized) Science Subtest III: Biology/Life Science (120)
Science Subtest IV: Biology/Life Science (Specialized) (124)
Business Business Subtest I (175)
Business Subtest II (176)
Business Subtest III (177)
Cantonese Cantonese Subtest I (202)
Cantonese Subtest II (203)
Cantonese Subtest III (204)
Chemistry (Specialized) Science Subtest III: Chemistry (121)
Science Subtest IV: Chemistry (Specialized) (125)
English English Subtest I (105)
English Subtest II (106)
English Subtest III (107)
English Subtest IV (108)
Farsi Farsi Subtest I (196)
Farsi Subtest II (197)
Filipino Filipino Subtest I (190)
Filipino Subtest II (191)
Foundational-Level General Science Science Subtest I: General Science (118)
Science Subtest II: General Science (119)
Foundational-Level Mathematics Mathematics Subtest I (110)
Mathematics Subtest II (111)
French French Subtest I (148)
French Subtest II (149)
French Subtest III (150)
Geosciences (Specialized) Science Subtest III: Earth and Planetary Science (122)
Science Subtest IV: Earth and Planetary Science (Specialized) (126)
German German Subtest I (151)
German Subtest II (152)
German Subtest III (153)
Health Science Health Science Subtest I (178)
Health Science Subtest II (179)
Health Science Subtest III (180)
Hebrew* Hebrew Examination (301)
Hmong Hmong Subtest I (198)
Hmong Subtest II (199)
Home Economics Home Economics Subtest I (181)
Home Economics Subtest II (182)
Home Economics Subtest III (183)
Industrial and Technology Education Industrial and Technology Education Subtest I (184)
Industrial and Technology Education Subtest II (185)
Italian* Italian Examination (303)
Japanese Japanese Subtest I (157)
Japanese Subtest II (158)
Japanese Subtest III (159)
Khmer Khmer Subtest I (200)
Khmer Subtest II (201)
Korean Korean Subtest I (160)
Korean Subtest II (161)
Korean Subtest III (162)
Mandarin Mandarin Subtest I (163)
Mandarin Subtest II (164)
Mandarin Subtest III (165)
Mathematics Mathematics Subtest I (110)
Mathematics Subtest II (111)
Mathematics Subtest III (112)
Music Music Subtest I (136)
Music Subtest II (137)
Music Subtest III (138)
Physical Education Physical Education Subtest I (129)
Physical Education Subtest II (130)
Physical Education Subtest III (131)
Physics (Specialized) Science Subtest III: Physics (123)
Science Subtest IV: Physics (Specialized) (127)
Portuguese* Portuguese Examination (302)
Punjabi Punjabi Subtest I (166)
Punjabi Subtest II (167)
Punjabi Subtest III (168)
Russian Russian Subtest I (154)
Russian Subtest II (155)
Russian Subtest III (156)
Science: Biological Sciences Science Subtest I: General Science (118)
Science Subtest II: General Science (119)
Science Subtest III: Biology/Life Science (120)
Science: Chemistry Science Subtest I: General Science (118)
Science Subtest II: General Science (119)
Science Subtest III: Chemistry (121)
Science: Geosciences Science Subtest I: General Science (118)
Science Subtest II: General Science (119)
Science Subtest III: Earth and Planetary Science (122)
Science: Physics Science Subtest I: General Science (118)
Science Subtest II: General Science (119)
Science Subtest III: Physics (123)
Social Science Social Science Subtest I (114)
Social Science Subtest II (115)
Social Science Subtest III (116)
Spanish Spanish Subtest I (145)
Spanish Subtest II (146)
Spanish Subtest III (147)
Vietnamese Vietnamese Subtest I (169)
Vietnamese Subtest II (170)
Vietnamese Subtest III (171)
*Candidates for certification in this field must also pass the appropriate language assessment administered by a CTC-approved assessor agency.

Passage of previously approved subject matter examinations (e.g., Single Subject Assessments for Teaching) may be used to satisfy the requirement only if the passing score was already used to earn California certification. Otherwise, passing the CSET in that subject area is required.

Education Specialist Instruction Credential

An individual may pass the approved examination(s) or complete an approved subject-matter program for the Single Subject Credential areas of teaching art, English, world language, mathematics including foundational-level mathematics, music, science including foundational-level and specialized science, and social science or the approved examination for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

The exemption for holders of previously issued general education teaching credentials continues. Also individuals applying for an Early Childhood Education Specialist Credential are not required to complete the subject-matter competence requirement.

No Child Left Behind Compliance

In spring 2004 the California State Board of Education adopted regulations for the implementation of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). These regulations require that elementary teachers who are "new to the profession" pass a CTC-approved subject matter examination. CSET: Multiple Subjects is the current CTC-approved elementary subject matter examination for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Single Subject Teaching Credential candidates have two options to meet the NCLB requirement: completing a CTC-approved single subject matter preparation program or passing a CTC-approved subject matter examination, currently the CSET: Single Subjects. Recently, Education Specialist Instruction Credentials were also reviewed in conjunction with NCLB. Individuals applying for the preliminary Education Specialist credential must either satisfy elementary subject matter through an examination, currently the CSET: Multiple Subjects, or a core academic area by an approved subject-matter program or examination (see Coded Correspondence 11-04 at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/notices/coded/2011/1104.pdf).

Individuals who are seeking enrollment in or who are currently enrolled in Multiple Subject and/or Single Subject Teaching Credential and/or Education Specialist Instruction Credential programs are encouraged to discuss the NCLB subject matter requirement with the credential analyst at their institution. Individuals currently holding Multiple Subject or Single Subject Teaching or Education Specialist Instruction Credentials may contact their employer concerning NCLB subject matter compliance issues. For the most up-to-date information regarding the implementation of the federal NCLB teacher requirements for California, see the California Department of Education's website at www.cde.ca.gov.

Educational Technology Requirement

The Multiple Subject and Single Subject Teaching Credentials and Education Specialist Instruction Credentials require knowledge and skills in general and specialized uses of instructional technology in educational settings. CSET: Preliminary Educational Technology (test codes 133 and 134) is the current approved examination that is taken primarily by candidates who have completed a teacher preparation program outside of California.

Bilingual Authorization

California Education Code Sections 44253.3 and 44253.4 require the CTC to issue authorizations that allow the holder to provide specialized instruction to English Learners (EL). The new authorizations are the Bilingual Authorization and the English Learner Authorization.

About the Bilingual Authorization. With the implementation of Assembly Bill 1871, effective July 1, 2009, the Bilingual Authorization or Bilingual Emphasis will be added as appropriate to the selected valid prerequisite credential when minimum requirements have been met.

Below is the description of the new Bilingual Authorization. The scope and content for the Bilingual Authorization remain the same as for the BCLAD Certificate.

The Bilingual Authorization authorizes three services. The first two instructional services for English Learners listed below may be provided in the subjects, grade levels, and programs authorized by this prerequisite credential or permit:

  1. Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English
  2. Instruction for primary language development in the target language and content instruction delivered in the target language
  3. Instruction for English Language Development (in grades 12 and below, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults)

Bilingual Authorization also covers classes authorized by other valid, nonemergency credentials held, as specified in Education Code Section 44253.4.

Bilingual Authorizations are available for the following languages:

  • Arabic
  • Armenian
  • Cantonese
  • Farsi
  • Filipino
  • French
  • German
  • Hmong
  • Japanese

About the English Learner Authorization. With the implementation of Assembly Bill 1871, effective July 1, 2009, either an English Learner authorization may be added to the selected valid prerequisite credential or a CLAD™ Certificate issued when minimum requirements have been met.

The English Learner Authorization and CLAD Certificate authorize two services.

  1. Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (in the subjects, grade levels, and programs authorized by the prerequisite credential or permit)
  2. Instruction for English Language Development (in grades 12 and below, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults)

The English Learner Authorization and CLAD Certificate also cover classes authorized by other valid, nonemergency credentials held, as specified in Education Code Section 44253.3.

For information about earning an English Learner Authorization or a CLAD Certificate, refer to the CTC's website at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl628c.pdf.

Testing program transition information. Effective fall 2007, specific CSET: LOTE subtests replaced Tests 4, 5, and 6 of the BCLAD Examinations as the required assessments for individuals who wish to use the exam route to earn a Bilingual Authorization. Individuals who wish to use the exam route and have not yet passed any BCLAD test will need to take the appropriate CSET: LOTE subtests, as indicated in "Requirements for a Bilingual Authorization" below.

Candidates who have previously passed one or more tests of the BCLAD Examinations will be able to use their BCLAD Examinations scores within the applicable period of score validity to meet requirements for a Bilingual Authorization. The period of score validity for the BCLAD Examinations is seven years; the period of score validity for the examinations of the CSET is five years. Candidates may combine scores from the BCLAD Examinations and the CSET: LOTE as necessary to meet Bilingual Authorization requirements.

Candidates who have not yet passed one or more tests of the BCLAD Examinations must pass the appropriate CSET subtests as indicated in the table below.

BCLAD Test Not Yet Passed CSET Subtest to Take
BCLAD Test 4: Methodology for Primary-Language Instruction CSET: LOTE Subtest IV (250)
(assesses the methodology of bilingual education)
BCLAD Test 5: The Culture of Emphasis CSET: LOTE Subtest V
(assesses bilingual cultural knowledge)
Armenian CSET: Armenian Subtest V (252)
Chinese CSET: Chinese Subtest V (253)
(This test is for both the Cantonese and Mandarin authorizations.)
Filipino CSET: Filipino Subtest V (255)
Hmong CSET: Hmong Subtest V (259)
Khmer CSET: Khmer Subtest V (261)
Korean CSET: Korean Subtest V (262)
Latino CSET: Spanish Subtest V (258)
Punjabi CSET: Punjabi Subtest V (263)
Vietnamese CSET: Vietnamese Subtest V (265)
BCLAD Test 6: The Language of Emphasis (Test 6 consists of four components: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. If you have passed some but not all four components, you must pass the entire CSET subtest.) CSET: LOTE Subtest II or III
(assesses language and communication skills)
Armenian CSET: Armenian Subtest II (195)
Cantonese CSET: Cantonese Subtest III (204)
Filipino CSET: Filipino Subtest II (191)
Hmong CSET: Hmong Subtest II (199)
Khmer CSET: Khmer Subtest II (201)
Korean CSET: Korean Subtest III (162)
Mandarin CSET: Mandarin Subtest III (165)
Punjabi CSET: Punjabi Subtest III (168)
Spanish CSET: Spanish Subtest III (147)
Vietnamese CSET: Vietnamese Subtest III (171)

For more information, refer to the CTC's Coded Correspondence 06-0024, available from the CTC's website at www.ctc.ca.gov/notices/coded-2006.html.

Requirements for a Bilingual Authorization. To earn a Bilingual Authorization, you must

  1. have an appropriate prerequisite credential or permit;
  2. satisfy one of the following:

    • have passed within the last five years all three California Teacher of English Learners® (CTEL®) Examination subtests (see the CTEL website at www.ctcexams.nesinc.com)
    • have passed within the last seven years CLAD/BCLAD Tests 1, 2, and 3 (these tests are no longer given)
    • hold an LDS Certificate or a Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credential with CLAD Emphasis
    • hold or verify eligibility for a CLAD Certificate, a Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credential with an English Learner Authorization, or an Education Specialist Teaching Credential with an English Learner Authorization
    • successfully completed a CTC-approved CTEL program
  3. have passing scores from within the last five years on the appropriate CSET subtests, as identified below (if you have already passed Test 4, 5, or 6 of the BCLAD Examinations, see the testing program transition information above); and
  4. successfully complete a CTC-approved Bilingual program.

The CSET subtests required for Bilingual Authorization candidates are listed by language in the table below.

Bilingual Authorization Area CSET Subtests Required
Arabic Arabic Subtest II* (193)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Arabic Subtest V (251)
Armenian Armenian Subtest II* (195)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Armenian Subtest V (252)
Cantonese Cantonese Subtest III* (204)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Chinese Subtest V (253)
Farsi Farsi Subtest II* (197)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Farsi Subtest V (254)
Filipino Filipino Subtest II* (191)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Filipino Subtest V (255)
French French Subtest III* (150)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
French Subtest V (256)
German German Subtest III* (153)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
German Subtest V (257)
Hmong Hmong Subtest II* (199)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Hmong Subtest V (259)
Japanese Japanese Subtest III* (159)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Japanese Subtest V (260)
Khmer Khmer Subtest II* (201)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Khmer Subtest V (261)
Korean Korean Subtest III* (162)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Korean Subtest V (262)
Mandarin Mandarin Subtest III* (165)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Chinese Subtest V (253)
Punjabi Punjabi Subtest III* (168)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Punjabi Subtest V (263)
Russian Russian Subtest III* (156)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Russian Subtest V (264)
Spanish Spanish Subtest III* (147)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Spanish Subtest V (258)
Vietnamese Vietnamese Subtest III* (171)
LOTE Subtest IV (250)
Vietnamese Subtest V (265)
*For Bilingual Authorization only, passage of this subtest is not required if (1) you hold a valid, nonemergency Single Subject or Standard Secondary Teaching Credential with a major in the language authorized by the Bilingual Authorization you are seeking or (2) you hold a three-year or higher degree from a foreign institution in which all instruction is delivered in the language authorized by the Bilingual Authorization you are seeking and the institution is equivalent in status to a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the United States.

Requirements for a Bilingual Authorization in Portuguese. To earn a Bilingual Authorization in Portuguese, you must

  1. have an appropriate prerequisite credential or permit;
  2. satisfy one of the following:

    • have passed within the last five years all three California Teacher of English Learners (CTEL) Examination subtests (see the CTEL website at www.ctcexams.nesinc.com);
    • have passed within the last seven years CLAD/BCLAD Tests 1, 2, and 3 (these tests are no longer given);
    • hold an LDS Certificate or a Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credential with CLAD Emphasis;
    • hold or verify eligibility for a CLAD Certificate, a Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credential with an English Learner Authorization, or an Education Specialist Instruction Credential with an English Learner Authorization;
    • successfully completed a CTC-approved CTEL program;
  3. have passing scores from within the last five years on CSET: LOTE Subtest IV or from within the last seven years on BCLAD Test 4 (this test is no longer given);
  4. have passing scores from within the last seven years on the two Portuguese culture and language tests previously administered by the Merced County Office of Education. California State University Stanislaus is now the approved assessor agency for Portuguese. For information about test dates and registration for the Portuguese culture and the language assessments, contact:
    5. Elmano Costa, Ed.D.
    Center for Portuguese Studies
    California State University Stanislaus
    One University Circle
    Turlock, CA 95382

    Email: ecosta@csustan.edu
    Phone: (209) 667-3638
    Fax: (209) 667-3358
  5. successfully complete a CTC-approved Bilingual program.
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