Specialist Instruction Credentials (CL-529)

Specialist Instruction Credentials authorize the holder to teach or provide services in the area of specialization listed on the credential.

• Agriculture
• Early Childhood Education
• Gifted Education
• Health Science

All documents require the individual to complete a Commission-approved program in the area of specialization, or an equivalent preparation program at a regionally-accredited institution outside of California.

Agriculture

Authorizes the holder to teach agriculture in preschool, grades K–12 inclusive, and in classes organized primarily for adults. This credential authorizes the holder to develop and coordinate curriculum, develop programs, and deliver staff development for agriculture education programs coordinated by school districts or county offices of education.

Requirements for the Clear Credential in Agriculture

Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements:

1. Possess a valid California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Agriculture, Standard Secondary Teaching Credential in Agriculture Science, or Special Secondary Credential in Vocational Agriculture.
   
   
2. Complete a Commission-approved specialist program, including student teaching.
   
   
3. Obtain the recommendation of a California college or university with a Commission-approved program in the specialist area.

Out-of-State Prepared Individuals

Out-of-state prepared applicants may apply directly to the Commission for the clear credential if they satisfy both of the following requirements:

1. Posses a valid California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Agriculture, Standard Secondary Teaching Credential in Agriculture Science, or Special Secondary Credential in Vocational Agriculture.
   
   
2. Complete a comparable program, including supervised student teaching appropriate to the specialization at a regionally-accredited institution, approved by the state agency where the course work was completed. A photocopy of the out-of-state credential is acceptable verification of this requirement, as is a letter from the issuing state’s licensing agency.

Early Childhood Education

Authorizes the holder to develop and coordinate curriculum, develop programs, and deliver staff development including age-appropriate teaching methodologies for child development programs and early childhood education programs in grades three and below which are coordinated by school districts or county offices of education. This credential also authorizes teaching courses in child development in grades K–12 inclusive and in classes organized primarily for adults.

Requirements for the Clear Credential in Early Childhood Education

Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements:

1. Possess a valid California Multiple Subject, Standard Elementary, or General Elementary Teaching Credential.
2. Complete a Commission-approved specialist program, including student teaching.
3. Obtain the recommendation of a California college or university with a Commission-approved program in the specialist area.

Out-of-State Applicants

Out-of-state applicants may apply directly to the Commission for the clear credential if they satisfy all of the following requirements:

1. Possess a valid California Multiple Subject, Standard Elementary, or General Elementary Teaching Credential.
2. Complete a comparable program, including supervised student teaching appropriate to the specialization at a regionally-accredited institution, approved by the state agency where the course work was completed. A photocopy of the out-of-state credential is acceptable verification of this requirement, as is a letter from the issuing state’s licensing agency.

Gifted Education

Requirements for the Clear Credential in Gifted Education

Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements:

1. Satisfy one of the following requirements:
   1. Possess a valid California teaching credential requiring a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a program of professional preparation including student teaching.
      
      
   2. Possess a valid California Designated Subjects Teaching Credential provided the applicant also possesses a baccalaureate degree and has met the basic skills requirement. See Commission leaflet CL-667, entitled Basic Skills Requirement, for additional information.
      
      
2. Complete a Commission-approved specialist program, including student teaching.
   
   
3. Obtain the recommendation of a California college or university with a Commission-approved program in the specialist area.

Note: Currently there are no Commission adopted standards, guidelines or approved programs in California for the Gifted Specialist Credential.

Out-of-State Applicants

Out-of-state applicants may apply directly to the Commission for the clear credential if they satisfy both of the following requirements:

1. Satisfy one of the following requirements:
   1. Possess  a valid California teaching credential requiring a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a program of professional preparation including student teaching.
      
      
   2. Possess a valid California Designated Subjects Teaching Credential provided the applicant also possesses a baccalaureate degree and has met the basic skills requirement. See Commission leaflet CL-667, entitled Basic Skills Requirement, for additional information.
      
      
2. Complete a comparable program, including supervised student teaching appropriate to the specialization at a regionally-accredited institution, approved by the state agency where the course work was completed. A photocopy of the out-of-state credential is acceptable verification of this requirement, as is a letter from the issuing state’s licensing agency.

Health Science

Authorizes the holder to teach health science in preschool, grades K–12 inclusive, and in classes organized primarily for adults. This credential also authorizes the holder to develop and coordinate curriculum, develop programs, and deliver staff development health science education programs coordinated by school districts or county offices of education.

Requirements for the Clear Credential in Health Science

Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements:

1. Satisfy one of the following requirements:
   1. Possess a valid California teaching credential requiring a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a program of professional preparation including student teaching.
      
      
   2. Possess a valid Clear Full-Time Designated Subjects Credential if the holder also possesses a bachelor’s degree from a regionally- accredited college or university and has met the basic skills requirement. See Commission leaflet CL-667, entitled Basic Skills Requirement, for additional information.
      
      
2. Complete a Commission-approved specialist program, including student teaching.
   
   
3. Obtain the recommendation of a California college or university with a Commission-approved program in the specialist area.

Out-of-State Applicants

Out-of-state applicants may apply directly to the Commission for the clear credential if they satisfy both of the following requirements:

1. Satisfy one of the following requirements:
   1. Possess a valid California teaching credential requiring a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a program of professional preparation including student teaching.
      
      
   2. Possess a valid California Designated Subjects Teaching Credential provided the applicant also possesses a baccalaureate degree and has met the basic skills requirement. See Commission leaflet CL-667, entitled Basic Skills Requirement, for additional information.
      
      
2. Complete a teacher preparation program, including student teaching, and complete a comparable program that includes supervised student teaching appropriate to the specialization at a regionally accredited institution, approved by the state agency where the course work was completed. A photocopy of the out-of-state credential is acceptable verification of this requirement, as is a letter from the issuing state’s licensing agency.

Period Of Validity

The term of a Clear Specialist Instruction Credential is determined by the expiration date of the prerequisite teaching credential held, but may not exceed five calendar years.

Other Specialist Credentials

For information regarding the Reading and Language Arts Specialist Credential, refer to leaflet CL-537.

For information on the Mathematics Instructional Leader Specialist (MILS) Credential and the Mathematics Instruction Added Authorization (MIAA), refer to leaflet CL-898.

For information regarding the Specialist Instruction Credential in Bilingual Crosscultural Education, refer to leaflet CL-622.

Specialist Instruction Credentials are also available in special education areas. Refer to Education Specialist Instruction Credential leaflet CL-808CA for information about the requirements for individuals completing teacher preparation in California, leaflet CL-808 for those prepared out-of-state, and leaflet CL-872 for those prepared outside the United States.

For a list of Professional Preparation Program, visit the Professional Preparation Program Page.