Applying for:

Administrative Services Credential on the basis of passing the CPACE exam

Allows you to:

Serve as an administrator in positions such as Principal, Assistant Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent.

A red octagon shape surrounded by a gray border Before You Apply

You will need to obtain your fingerprint clearance specifically for the Commission. If you already have valid fingerprints on file with the Commission, it is not necessary to fingerprint each time you apply for a credential or permit. However, if your fingerprints are expired then you must re-establish fingerprints. Details on how to check your fingerprint status can be found at Check Application Status.

The online application will require you to answer questions related to your professional fitness. Please review How to Complete the CTC Online Professional Fitness Questions before completing the application. If you must answer "yes" to any of the professional fitness questions, please gather all documentation, including any required police reports, certified court records, and miscellaneous documents related to the incident and have them ready to upload as attachments along with the materials for verifying academic requirements listed below. If any of the records have been purged or are otherwise not available, provide an original statement from the agency on its official letterhead verifying that fact.

A green circle surrounded by a gray ring Ready to Apply?

The items below are required for this application. The Commission reserves the right to request the original(s) of any supporting documentation by mail to ensure authenticity.


ItemImportant Details and Tips

 

Clear or Life teaching or services credential in California
  • You must have a credential in teaching or services issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing that is valid (not expired) and is Clear or Life level. The following would be considered acceptable prerequisite credentials:
    • Teaching credentials that require a baccalaureate degree and a program of professional preparation, including student teaching.
    • Pupil Personnel Services credentials, Teacher Librarian Services credentials, Speech-Language Pathology Services credentials, Clinical or Rehabilitative Services credentials, or School Nurse Services credentials.
    • Designated Subjects Teaching credentials, provided the holder also possesses a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university, in which case the individual will be required to obtain and possess a valid equivalent California credential issued by the Commission.
    • NOTE: The Preliminary School Nurse Services credential or any of the other Health Services Credentials, such as the school physician, dentist, dental hygienist, optometrist, clinical psychologist, and psychiatric social worker, do not meet this requirement.
  • It is not necessary to attach anything as proof, since the Commission will already have this information if you were issued a document satisfying this requirement.

 

Verification of five or more years of teaching and/or school services experience earned in California and/or another state
  • Experience must be at a public school or private school of equivalent status located in California and/or another state.
  • Experience must be full-time and indicate beginning and ending dates of hire. Full-time teaching and services experience is defined as a minimum of four hours a day, unless the minimum statutory attendance requirement for the students serviced is less. Experience must be on a daily basis and for at least 75% of the school year. Experience may be accrued in increments of a minimum of one semester. No substitute or part-time experience will be accepted.
  • Signed by Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent, Director of personnel, or Director of HR.
  • The letter must be a scanned copy of an original letter or an electronic PDF. If the letter is a scanned copy, the original letter that was scanned must be signed with a wet ink signature. If the letter is an electronic PDF, it must be signed with an acceptable electronic signature. Screenshots are not acceptable.
  • Must be on official school or district letterhead.
  • Service record forms will also be accepted in lieu of a letter, as long as they contain all the required information.
 CPACE
  • Upload official score report of passing CPACE.
  • Both subtests (content and performance) must be passed.
  • In order to be valid, the exam must have been passed within the past 10 years.
 Verification of an offer of employment in an administrative position from a California employing agency
  • This must be verified on the Verification of Employment Form (CL-777). 
  • Individuals who do not have an offer of employment in an administrative position will be issued a Certificate of Eligibility if all other credential requirements are met.

Important Notes:

  • This checklist is ONLY for submission of an online application.
  • This web-based checklist is a guide and does not need to be uploaded with the online application.
  • If you are granted a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential, you must maintain a valid prerequisite California credential and complete a Commission-approved Clear Administrative Services induction program and two years of administrative experience in California to obtain your Clear Administrative Services Credential. Enrollment is expected upon placement in an administrative position and the program typically takes two years to complete.
  • The expiration date of the Preliminary Administrative Services credential matches the expiration date of the prerequisite credential. In cases when the prerequisite credential expires in less than 5 years, the Administrative Services credential will not be issued for the full 5 years, but you may apply for the remainder of time after renewing your prerequisite credential.
  • Full details on qualifying for the Administrative Services Credential via exam can be found on CL-574C under the section Requirements for the Five-Year Preliminary Credential.

Updated August 05, 2025