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California has three routes for a professional-level license teacher from another state to apply for a California credential. It's important to know which route you qualify for because the materials you need to provide for your application will vary depending on your out-of-state experience. Keep reading to learn more about Route 3!
Should I take Route 3?
This is your route if you hold a professional-level teaching license in another state and are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Applying under this route also means that you are exempt from having to meet the Basic Skills Requirement!
What do I need to apply?
Your application packet should include the following items:
- Application packet
- Copy of out-of-state teaching credential
- This must be a professional-level license in a comparable subject area issued in California. Not sure if your license is professional-level? In most cases, if your license was issued for only three years or less and includes terms like intern, apprentice, temporary, or alternative or if you still need to complete a subject matter examination, you have not yet met the requirements of a professional-level credential. It should also be noted that California does not issue Middle School teaching authorizations. If you have only a Middle School grades authorization on your out-of-state license, you may apply for the Multiple Subjects credential or the Single Subject Credential, but not both. Also, if your out-of-state license is issued in "Special Education" or in a specialty area that does not align with a California specialty area, you may be issued a California Preliminary credential based on completion of an out-of-state generic program in one of the following specialty areas: Mild to Moderate Support Needs, Extensive Support Needs, or Early Childhood Special Education. More details can be found in the Miscellaneous Questions section of Frequently Asked Questions for Out-of-State Prepared Applicants.
- This must be a professional-level license in a comparable subject area issued in California. Not sure if your license is professional-level? In most cases, if your license was issued for only three years or less and includes terms like intern, apprentice, temporary, or alternative or if you still need to complete a subject matter examination, you have not yet met the requirements of a professional-level credential. It should also be noted that California does not issue Middle School teaching authorizations. If you have only a Middle School grades authorization on your out-of-state license, you may apply for the Multiple Subjects credential or the Single Subject Credential, but not both. Also, if your out-of-state license is issued in "Special Education" or in a specialty area that does not align with a California specialty area, you may be issued a California Preliminary credential based on completion of an out-of-state generic program in one of the following specialty areas: Mild to Moderate Support Needs, Extensive Support Needs, or Early Childhood Special Education. More details can be found in the Miscellaneous Questions section of Frequently Asked Questions for Out-of-State Prepared Applicants.
- Official transcripts showing conferral of a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally-accredited college or university
- Hard copies do not need to be in their original sealed envelope. You may also have official e-transcripts emailed from your college or university to etranscripts@ctc.ca.gov.
- Hard copies do not need to be in their original sealed envelope. You may also have official e-transcripts emailed from your college or university to etranscripts@ctc.ca.gov.
- Copy of National Board Certification
- Teachers who are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) can be issued a Clear credential in the subject area in which they have received national certification. The following National Board Certifications are acceptable:
- For Multiple Subject: Early Childhood (ages 3-8)/Generalist or Middle Childhood (ages 7- 12)/Generalist
- For Single Subject: See subject areas listed under Table 1 in Single Subject Teaching Credential Requirements for Teachers Prepared Out-of-State
- For Education Specialist Instruction: Exceptional Needs/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood
- Teachers who are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) can be issued a Clear credential in the subject area in which they have received national certification. The following National Board Certifications are acceptable:
A note about the English Learner Authorization
Please note that while you may be issued the Clear credential through this route, you will not be issued a California English Learner Authorization unless you have an equivalent authorization on your out-of-state license or have previously passed the CTEL exams. This authorization qualifies you to teach English Language Development (ELD) as well as Specially Designed Academic Instruction Delivered in English (SDAIE). California employers may require you to hold this authorization as a condition of employment if the classroom assigned has any English Learner students. For more details about the English Learner Authorization, visit this page or What is the English Learner Authorization and how do I get that?
Where do I send my application packet?
To apply, mail all materials in one envelope to the following address:
May Lee State Office Complex
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Certification Division
651 Bannon Street, Suite 601
Sacramento, CA 95811
Recalculating route...
If after reading about Route 3 you're not sure that it's the right route for you, take a look at the other routes. If you have less than two years of out-of-state teaching experience or can't get the documentation to verify it, check out Route 1! If you're have two or more years of out-of-state teaching experience, Route 2 might be the one for you.
Help! I think I'm lost!
If you have additional questions, please visit Frequently Asked Questions for Out-of-State Prepared Applicants or reach out to the Education Career Counselors via email at careerguidance@ctc.ca.gov.