Certification Glossary

An out-of-state prepared teacher may apply to transfer their credential to California via Route 2. This route requires a professional-level teaching license in another state and verification of two or more years of full-time, out-of-state teaching experience. In addition to a letter verifying the years of teaching experience, two summative annual performance evaluations are also required.

The two evaluations must be satisfactory or better and coincide with two years of verified service on your experience verification letter. Photocopies of the evaluations are acceptable, and they do not need signatures. Informal classroom observations are not accepted to meet this requirement because they are not considered to be summative year-end evaluations. Avoid sending observations that took place on one day for a short amount of time, and instead only send in evaluations that encompass the year’s performance, which are typically completed during the months of April, May, or June.

If summative evaluations aren't available, you may submit a supplemental evaluation letter instead. This letter must be on the school or district letterhead completed by an administrator, signed with an original signature which must be either ‘wet ink’ or an acceptable electronic signature. The letter must verify that you have satisfactorily met these four professional teaching standards.

1. The use of teaching strategies that motivate all students to engage in the learning process.
2. The ability to establish and maintain high standards for student behavior.
3. A demonstration of deep knowledge of the subject being taught and the use of appropriate instructional strategies that promote student understanding.
4. An ability to plan and implement a sequence of appropriate instructional activities.