Subject Matter Authorizations (CL-852)

Introductory Subject Matter Authorizations

An Introductory Subject Matter Authorization authorizes the holder to teach the subject matter content typically included in curriculum guidelines and textbooks approved for study in grades 9 and below. This allows an employer to assign a teacher with an Introductory Subject Matter Authorization to teach a class in which the curriculum is for grades 9 and below but the students in the class may be in preschool, grades K-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults.

Note: Introductory Subject Matter Authorizations are limited in scope, and not comparable to full Single Subject authorizations that allow instruction in grades TK-12. For information on earning the full authorization on an existing credential, see leaflet CL-621a (Adding a Teaching or Content Area to Multiple and Single Subject Credentials).

Introductory Subjects

Introductory Subject Matter Authorizations are available in the following subjects (in bold below):

• Art: must include coursework in the content areas of art history including aesthetics and appreciation, two dimensional art including drawing, painting, and printmaking, three-dimensional art including sculpture and ceramics, and photography/computer generated imagery.
  
  
• Dance: must include coursework in the content areas of jazz dance, contemporary dance, and dance theory.
  
  
• English: must include coursework in the content areas of grammar or language structure, advanced composition, speech, and literature.
  
  
• Mathematics: must include coursework in the content areas of algebra, advanced algebra, geometry, probability or statistics, and development of the real number system or introduction to mathematics.
  
  
• Music: must include coursework in the content areas of vocal music including the analysis of repertoire and literature appreciation for developing musicians, instrumental music including the analysis of repertoire and literature appreciation for developing musicians, aural musicianship, keyboard, music history including music appreciation, world music, conducting, and music theory.
  
  
• Science: must include coursework in the content areas of biological sciences, chemistry, geosciences, and physics.
  
  
• Social Science: must include coursework in the content areas of United States history, California history, world history, world civilization or world cultures, physical geography, and United States government.
  
  
• Theater: must include coursework in the content areas of acting, directing, and stagecraft.
  
  
• World Language (Specify): must include coursework in the content areas of grammar, composition, culture, conversation, and literature.

To qualify for an Introductory Subject Matter Authorization, individuals must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Possess a valid prerequisite teaching credential.
   
   
2. Complete one of the following:
   
   
   1. Submission of official transcripts showing 32 semester units (48 quarter units) of non-remedial coursework in the subject, including a minimum of three semester or four quarter units of coursework in each content area provided above. The balance of the units may be in any course within the subject category. (Exception: the subject of Science requires at least six semester or eight quarter units in each of the four science content areas [biological sciences, chemistry, geosciences, and physics]).
      
      
   2. Submission of a official transcripts showing a college major from a regionally accredited college or university in the subject to be listed on the credential or in a subject directly related to the subject to be listed on the credential.
      
      
   3. Submission of a copy of a professional level teaching license earned in a state other than California, with a middle school or departmentalized classroom teaching authorization that is not comparable to a full single subject content area issued by the Commission, but aligns with an Introductory Subject Matter Authorization.
      
      
   4. Achieve a passing score on the appropriate subject-matter examination(s). Information, including passing scores and registration, can be found in Commission leaflet CL-674S entitled Verifying Subject-Matter Competence for Single Subject Teaching Credentials.
      
      
   5. Submission of a signed verification letter on official letterhead from an approved preparation program that confirms successful completion through a combination of coursework and examination options that meet or exceed the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the Single Subject Credential. Such mixing of options may only be completed by a Commission-approved preparation program.

Specific Subject Matter Authorizations

A Specific Subject Matter Authorization authorizes the holder to teach the specific subject in departmentalized classes in preschool, K-12, and classes organized primarily for adults.

Specific Subject Matter Authorizations are available in the following subjects:

To qualify for a Specific Subject Matter Authorization, individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements:

1. Possess a valid prerequisite teaching credential
   
   
2. Complete one of the following:
   
   
   1. Submission of official transcripts showing 32 semester units (48 quarter units) of non-remedial coursework directly related to the subject to be listed on the credential (Exception: the subject of History requires a minimum of 16 semester units in both world history and U.S. history).
      
      
   2. Submission of official transcripts showing a college major from a regionally accredited college or university in a subject directly related to the subject to be listed on the credential.
      
      
   3. Possession of a professional level teaching license earned in a state other than California, with a middle school or departmentalized classroom teaching authorization that is not comparable to a full single subject content area issued by the Commission, but aligns with a Specific Subject Matter Authorization.
      
      
   4. Achieve a passing score on the appropriate subject-matter examination(s). Information, including passing scores and registration, can be found in Commission leaflet CL-674S entitled Verifying Subject-Matter Competence for Single Subject Teaching Credentials.
       
      
   5. Submission of a signed verification letter on official letterhead from an approved preparation program that confirms successful completion through a combination of coursework and examination options that meet or exceed the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the Single Subject Credential. Such mixing of options may only be completed by a Commission-approved preparation program. 

Definitions

Prerequisite teaching credential:

• Holders of Single Subject, Multiple Subject, Standard Elementary, Standard Secondary, or Special Secondary [1] Teaching Credentials may have one or more of the subjects listed below added to their credential as an Introductory Subject Matter Authorization or Specific Subject Matter Authorization by verifying completion of the requirements outlined below. 
• Note [1]: To be a valid prerequisite credential per California Education Code, Section 44256(a)(1), the Special Secondary Teaching Credential must have been issued on the basis of at least a bachelor’s degree, a student teaching requirement, and 24 semester units of coursework in the subject specialty of the credential. Only Special Secondary Teaching Credentials in the subjects of Art, Business Education, Homemaking, Industrial Arts, Music, Physical Education, Speech Arts, and Vocational Agriculture meet this requirement. 

Acceptable coursework must be:

• Completed with a grade of “C” or better (“credit,” “passing,” or “satisfactory” grades are acceptable).
• Applicable toward a bachelor’s degree or a higher degree (non-remedial).
• Taken at a regionally accredited institution.
• Granted regular quarter or semester hour credit.
• From the subject department of the subject matter authorization being sought.

The following coursework may be used as long as it meets the criteria listed above:

• Community college, correspondence, online, or extension coursework.
• Advanced placement units (requires an official transcript of the course and written verification from the college or university admission or registrar’s office that the units were used towards a bachelor’s degree and are in the subject category of the requested subject matter authorization).

Unacceptable coursework includes:

• Coursework that is not applicable toward a bachelor’s degree or higher degree (remedial).
• Professional development or continuing education units.
• In-service training or workshops.
• Coursework that does not cover the subject matter authorized by the requested subject matter authorization, unless a letter is provided from the chair of the subject area department stating that the course is equivalent to one offered by that department.

How to Apply

Applications for adding subject matter authorization content areas to a credential may be submitted to the Commission by mail including the following items:

1. Completed application (form 41-4).
2. Official transcripts verifying qualifying degree held or coursework completed. You may be required to submit photocopies of the catalog course descriptions or a course syllabus if the content of any course you wish to use to qualify for a subject matter authorization is not clear from the course title.
3. Application processing fee.

Resources

For more detailed information, including instructions for converting supplementary authorizations to subject matter authorizations, please refer to the Subject Matter Authorization Guideline Book, available on the Commission’s website. You may also contact the Commission using the Contact Credentialing form.

References:

California Education Code, Section 44225, and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Sections 80089.3 and 80089.4

CL-852  April 2025