The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (Commission) is an agency in the Executive Branch of State Government. Created in 1970 by the Ryan Act, it is the oldest of the autonomous state teaching standards board in the nation. The Commission sets state standards for educator preparation, licenses and credentials professional educators, enforces educator professional practices and disciplines credential holders in the State of California.

Recent Press Releases

Commission Adopts Regulations for New PK-3 Early Childhood Teaching Credential 
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing is one step closer to establishing the state's newest credential for pre-kindergarten through third grade instruction designed to meet the needs of California's youngest learners and to expand the teaching workforce.
April 25, 2023

California Approves New Options for Incoming Teachers to Demonstrate Professional Competency
With the passage of the 2021-22 State Budget agreement, California expanded the choices available to teacher candidates by permitting, for the first time, relevant collegiate-level coursework to be used to meet the Basic Skills and Subject Matter requirements in lieu of the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) and the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET).
July 9, 2021

New Funding for Teacher Recruitment and Retention in Governor’s May Budget Proposal
Reversing California’s enduring teacher shortage, already exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, will be a primary focus of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing over the next several years according to the May Revise.
May 15, 2021

Strategies to Strengthen EPP and LEA Partnership During COVID-19
Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction; Tine Sloan, Chair, Commission on Teacher Credentialing; and Linda Darling Hammond, Chair, State Board of Education released a joint letter to Superintendents, Deans of Education and Directors of Induction Programs supporting strengthened partnerships among educator preparation programs and local education agencies during COVID-19.
October 5, 2020

Governor Temporarily Suspends Examination Requirements for Teacher Candidates Impacted by COVID-19
On Friday, May 29, 2020 Governor Newsom released an Executive Order, temporarily suspending certain credential requirements affecting teacher and administrator candidates on track to finish their preparation this year, but roadblocked by COVID-19 school and testing center closures.
June 1, 2020

Commission Elects New Chair, Adopts PPS Standards
The Commission on Teacher Credentialing elected a new chair, Tine Sloan, at its April meeting.
April 15, 2019

Commission Chair Moves to State Board of Education
Today, Governor Newsom announced that Commission on Teacher Credentialing Chair, Linda Darling-Hammond, will be stepping down from the Commission in order to join the State Board of Education.
February 12, 2019

Updated May 24, 2023