Education Specialist Instruction Credential Checklist for Educators Prepared Outside of the United States

The items below are required to apply for an Education Specialist Instruction Credential based on preparation outside of the United States. The Education Specialist Instruction Credential authorizes the holder to teach all subjects in a Special Education classroom, provided that the credential specialty area matches the disability areas of the students. Please note that this checklist is ONLY for submission of an online application, and details regarding certain items may differ from what is required to submit a paper application. To submit a paper application, please refer to Education Specialist Credential Requirements for Individuals Prepared Outside of the United States (CL-872).

Before You Apply

You will need to obtain your fingerprint clearance. Please see below for information regarding how to complete fingerprinting depending on your situation.

Current credential holders: 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 through one of the methods below. Details on how to check your fingerprint status can be found on CTC Online - Your Educator Account under the section Check the Status.
California residents and non-residents who reside in or are visiting California: Complete Live Scan with 41-LS form. Applicants may upload a copy of their Live Scan form to facilitate tracking if issues arise, but this is not required.
Non-residents who are unable to complete a California Live Scan: If you are unable to complete the Live Scan process then you cannot submit your applications online. You must instead request fingerprint cards (FD-258) using this online portal and submit the completed cards, along with a paper application and processing fees ($49 for fingerprint cards and $100 for the credential application).
NOTE: Fingerprints are not transferable between agencies, so fingerprinting completed for credentialing purposes and fingerprinting completed for employment purposes are separate.

Checklist for Online Application

Requirement	Item	Important Details and Tips
	Out-of-country teaching credential	Be sure that when you request your foreign transcript evaluation, you provide the agency with your out-of-country teaching credential as well.
	Foreign transcript evaluation from an approved agency	Must show completion of a bachelor's or higher degree from an institution equivalent to a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. Must show completion of a professional preparation program in Special Education, with a minimum of 24 semester units, including completion of a supervised field study at an institution equivalent to a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. For paper foreign transcript evaluations, upload an electronic scan of the original, official paper foreign transcript evaluation. All pages must be scanned and uploaded. Clear photo images will also be accepted but must include all pages. For electronic foreign transcript evaluations, upload the original file sent to you by the foreign transcript evaluation agency. The Commission reserves the right to request the original foreign transcript evaluation by mail to ensure authenticity. Unofficial foreign transcript evaluations are not acceptable. NOTE: If the program completed outside the U.S. was only in "Special Education" or in a specialty area that does not align with a California specialty area, the Commission may issue a Preliminary credential to an individual based on completion of a generic program in Special Education completed outside the U.S. in one of the following specialty areas: Mild to Moderate Support Needs, Extensive Support Needs, or Early Childhood Special Education.

Requirement

Item

Important Details and Tips

Out-of-country teaching credential

Be sure that when you request your foreign transcript evaluation, you provide the agency with your out-of-country teaching credential as well.

Foreign transcript evaluation from an approved agency

Must show completion of a bachelor's or higher degree from an institution equivalent to a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.

Must show completion of a professional preparation program in Special Education, with a minimum of 24 semester units, including completion of a supervised field study at an institution equivalent to a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.

For paper foreign transcript evaluations, upload an electronic scan of the original, official paper foreign transcript evaluation. All pages must be scanned and uploaded. Clear photo images will also be accepted but must include all pages.
For electronic foreign transcript evaluations, upload the original file sent to you by the foreign transcript evaluation agency.
The Commission reserves the right to request the original foreign transcript evaluation by mail to ensure authenticity.
Unofficial foreign transcript evaluations are not acceptable.
NOTE: If the program completed outside the U.S. was only in "Special Education" or in a specialty area that does not align with a California specialty area, the Commission may issue a Preliminary credential to an individual based on completion of a generic program in Special Education completed outside the U.S. in one of the following specialty areas: Mild to Moderate Support Needs, Extensive Support Needs, or Early Childhood Special Education.

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Updated May 01, 2024