Prepared in Another State: Route 1 – Less Than Two Years of Teaching Experience
California has three routes for a professional-level license teacher from another state to apply for a California credential. It’s important to know which route you qualify for because the materials you need to provide for your application will vary depending on your out-of-state experience. Keep reading to learn more about Route 1!
Should I take Route 1?
This is your route if either of these apply to you:
- You hold a professional-level teaching license out-of-state and have less than two years of full-time, out-of-state teaching experience.
- You have zero teaching experience besides the student teaching you completed to earn your out-of-state license.
What do I need to apply?
Your application packet should include the following items:
- Application packet
- Copy of out-of-state teaching credential
- This must be a professional-level license in a comparable subject area issued in California. Not sure if your license is professional-level? In most cases, if your license was issued for only three years or less and includes terms like intern, apprentice, temporary, or alternative or if you still need to complete a subject matter examination, you have not yet met the requirements of a professional-level credential. It should also be noted that California does not issue Middle School teaching authorizations. If you have only a Middle School grades authorization on your out-of-state license, you may apply for the Multiple Subjects credential or the Single Subject Credential, but not both. Also, if your out-of-state license is issued in “Special Education” or in a specialty area that does not align with a California specialty area, you may be issued a California Preliminary credential based on completion of an out-of-state generic program in one of the following specialty areas: Mild to Moderate Support Needs, Extensive Support Needs, or Early Childhood Special Education. More details can be found in the Miscellaneous Questions section of Frequently Asked Questions for Out-of-State Prepared Applicants.
- Official transcripts showing conferral of a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally-accredited college or university
- Hard copies do not need to be in their original sealed envelope. You may also have official e-transcripts emailed from your college or university to etranscripts@ctc.ca.gov.
How do I apply?
Applications should be submitted directly online. However, there is also the option to submit your application through an employing local educational agency such as a school district or charter school, or a county office of education. If you are submitting your application through one of these, please work with them to submit your application.
Help! I think I’m lost!
If you have additional questions, please visit Frequently Asked Questions for Out-of-State Prepared Applicants or reach out to the Education Career Counselors via email at careerguidance@ctc.ca.gov.
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
651 Bannon Street
Sacramento, CA 95811