Applying for:

Reading and Literacy Added Authorization based on National Board Certification

Allows you to:

Assess student reading and provide reading instruction in response to those assessments.

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

Basic California teaching credential
  • You must have a basic teaching credential issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing that is valid (not expired). The following would be considered acceptable prerequisite basic teaching credentials:
    • Preliminary or Clear teaching credentials that required a baccalaureate degree and a program of professional preparation, including student teaching, in order to obtain.
    • Clear Designated Subjects Teaching credentials, provided the holder also possesses a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. (A bachelor’s degree satisfies both the degree requirement and the Basic Skills Requirement beginning 6/29/2024.)
  • 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.
 English Learner Authorization

Verification of three or more years of teaching experience
  • Experience may be in any grades preschool through adult, but may not include student teaching, intern teaching, or teaching while holding an emergency or teaching permit.
  • Only experience earned in public schools or private schools of equivalent status located in California and/or another state will be accepted.
  • Experience must be full-time and indicate beginning and ending dates of hire. Full-time teaching 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 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.
National Board Certification

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.
  • The Reading and Literacy Added Authorization is issued with no expiration date. However, it is only valid as long as your base teaching credential is valid.
  • Full details on qualifying for the Reading and Literacy Added Authorization based on National Board Certification can be found on CL-812 under the section National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification.
Updated December 16, 2025