Title
Elementary / Multiple Subject Credentials
I HAVE LESS THAN TWO YEARS OF OUT-OF-STATE TEACHING EXPERIENCE AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL.
To qualify for the preliminary credential, you must submit all of the following:
- Official transcripts showing a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
- Basic skills requirement. Individuals may be issued a preliminary credential prior to satisfying the basic skills requirement but must complete the requirement within one year of their credential issue date. See Commission leaflet CL-667, entitled Basic Skills Requirement [PDF] for additional information.
- Comparable teaching credential earned in a state other than California based upon completion of a professional preparation program (or alternative program) in elementary education, including student teaching, taken at a regionally-accredited institution where the program was completed
- The credential does not have to be valid at the time of application
- A photocopy of the out-of-state credential is acceptable verification of this requirement (front and back as applicable)
- The subject area listed on the out-of-state credential authorization must correspond to the subject area sought
- If the out-of-state credential is issued in a subject other than elementary or self-contained teaching, the individual will be issued the preliminary credential but will be required to meet California's subject matter requirements (see Terms and Definitions) before the clear credential may be issued
The preliminary credential is issued to individuals who have met basic credential requirements. There are additional requirements that must be met to qualify for the clear credential. If all requirements for the preliminary and clear credential are met with the initial application, the individual will be issued the clear credential and not the preliminary. See Commission leaflet CL-561 for more information.
• How to Apply
• Terms and Definitions
I HAVE TWO OR MORE YEARS OF OUT-OF-STATE TEACHING EXPERIENCE AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL.
To qualify for the preliminary credential, you must submit all of the following:
- Baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
- Basic Skills Requirement. Individuals may be issued a preliminary credential prior to satisfying the basic skills requirement but must complete the requirement within one year of their credential issue date. See Commission leaflet CL-667, entitled Basic Skills Requirement [PDF] for additional information.
- Comparable teaching credential earned in a state other than California based upon completion of a professional preparation program (or alternative program) in elementary education, including student teaching, taken at a regionally-accredited institution where the program was completed
- The credential does not have to be valid at the time of application
- A photocopy of the out-of-state credential is acceptable verification of this requirement (front and back as applicable)
- The subject area listed on the out-of-state credential authorization must correspond to the subject area sought
- If the out-of-state credential is issued in a subject other than elementary or self-contained teaching, the individual will be issued the preliminary credential but will be required to meet California's subject matter requirements (see Terms and Definitions) before the clear credential may be issued
- Two years or more of out-of-state full-time teaching experience (see Terms and Definitions)
The preliminary credential is issued to individuals who have met basic credential requirements. There are additional requirements that must be met to qualify for the clear credential. If all requirements for the preliminary and clear credential are met with the initial application, the individual will be issued the clear credential and not the preliminary. See Commission leaflet CL-561 for more information.
• How to Apply
• Terms and Definitions
I HOLD NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION AND AM SEEKING A CALIFORNIA ELEMENTARY TEACHING CREDENTIAL.
Teachers who are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in one of the qualifying subjects listed below will be issued a Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Individuals meeting this option are exempt from the basic skills requirement and all other credential requirements.
National Board Certification:
Early Childhood (ages 3 - 8)/Generalist
Middle Childhood (ages 7 - 12)/Generalist
Individuals applying for the professional clear credential via National Board Certification may apply directly to the Commission for a Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential by submitting all of the following:
- Photocopy of National Board Certification
- Completed application [PDF](revised 7/05 or later)
- Completed Livescan receipt [PDF], if not previously submitted to the Commission. Out-of-state residents (with out-of-state addresses) have the option of submitting two fingerprint cards (FD-258), in lieu of a LiveScan receipt. If submitting fingerprint cards, current fingerprint processing fees must accompany the application packet. Fingerprint cards may be ordered by sending an e-mail to the Commission at credentials@ctc.ca.gov.
- Application processing fee [PDF]
DO I NEED TO PASS ANY EXAMINATIONS PRIOR TO BECOMING CREDENTIALED IN CALIFORNIA?
There are examinations that are used to verify subject matter competence in the subject listed on your credential. Depending on the option by which you qualified for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, verifying subject matter competence may or may not be necessary. Once your preliminary teaching credential is issued, the credential document will indicate if verification of subject matter competence is a requirement to renew your credential.
Verifying Subject Matter Competence by Examination for Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials [PDF]
MULTIPLE SUBJECT TERMS & DEFINITIONSCommission-approved Professional Teacher Induction Program A program of situated learning for the preliminary credentialed teacher. A Verification of Induction Program Completion Form must be signed by the Induction Program director or designee. (For individuals trained outside of the U.S., training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] that covers infant, child and adult CPR skills must also be verified. Submit a course description and a copy of the CPR card for evaluation purposes.) Core A core setting is one in which a teacher who is assigned on the basis of a credential that authorizes service in a self-contained classroom (Multiple Subject or Standard Elementary Teaching Credentials) teaches two or more subjects to the same group of students. The student population must remain substantially the same, but not absolutely, so that the time and the curricula of the subjects may be manipulated in ways that enhances good instruction. Full-time Teaching Experience (Original evaluations or photocopies of the teacher's performance for at least two years of teaching must also be submitted.)
Regrouping Regrouping generally means two or more teachers each teach all the subjects in a self-contained classroom, but group their students for one or more of those subjects. Students are grouped by their learning level. For example, one teacher may take the below-grade level math students from two or more classes, while another teacher takes the above grade level math students, etc. The teachers usually begin the day with the students assigned to them for self-contained instruction. The concept of regrouping is not generally used in middle schools. Self-Contained A self-contained classroom setting is one whereby all subjects are taught by an instructor to a group of students; usually found at the elementary level. Subject Matter Competence The out-of-state credential authorization must correspond to a California subject area in order for the Commission to issue a credential. If the subjects listed on the out-of-state credential are other than "elementary teaching" or "self-contained", a preliminary credential will be issued but the applicant will be required to meet California subject-matter requirements before the clear credential may be issued. See Commission leaflet entitled Verifying Subject Matter Competence for Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials [PDF]for more information. Team Teaching Team teaching may mean one teacher provides language arts instruction, for example, to both classes while the other teaches science to both--it allows them to use their strengths to instruct a larger number of students. In this manner, the teacher's subject area expertise becomes the important factor. |
HOW TO APPLYYou may apply directly to the Commission for your initial credentialing by submitting an application packet consisting of all of the following:
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