Tools for Credentialing

Find Your Career Path

California needs amazing educators! This tool will help you learn more about what it takes to become a licensed educator in California, depending on the type of role you are interested in.

Program Pathways Dashboard

This dashboard shows the Commission-approved institutions offering California educator preparation programs, separated out by program pathway. Navigate to each pathway using the tabs at the top, and filter to narrow down the list and find the program that's best for you.

Financial Supports

Earning a valuable teaching credential can be affordable, thanks to new funding and techniques for combining financial resources. Learn more about the options available to you, and how to leverage them for maximum effect.

• Funding Your Future in Teaching
  This resource offers financial planning steps for every aspiring educator and sample packages if you're considering a California-based teacher residency program. In some cases, candidates can complete their Preliminary teaching credential debt-free!
  
  
• Teacher Candidate Funding Explorer
  Search this database of federal and state dollars you may be eligible to collect to make your journey toward a teaching credential affordable or cost free. Funding opportunities depend on your unique circumstances, as well as your choices in career and teacher program pathway.

Shareable Resources

The following flyers are available as resources for educators and cover a variety of topics.

• How to Clear Your Credential
  The resource is intended for the holders of Preliminary teaching credentials based on the completion of Commission-approved California credential programs, and would be particularly useful for educators that were held for TPA and/or RICA renewal requirements.
  
  
• Pathways to Credentialing
  To teach in California, you will need to earn a credential by completing a teacher preparation program approved by the Commission. There are many options to choose from, each with its own strengths and philosophy of how to prepare a successful teacher. Depending on the program, the format may be in-person, virtual, or hybrid and you may have the option to earn your bachelor's or master's degree along with your Preliminary credential (a professional-level license valid for five years). Explore the program models in the resource to find the one that's right for you!
  
  
• Serving Multilingual or English Learner Students
  Multilingual students or English Learners are students who have not yet attained full proficiency in English. Students designated in these categories must be taught by teachers that hold an English Learner Authorization. If an educator has even one English Learner in the classroom, they must hold the appropriate authorization to serve them in accordance with California law. There are a few types of English Learner services available depending on students’ needs. This resource describes the types and how to obtain the appropriate authorization depending on how you obtained your California teaching credential.

Your Classroom Awaits Pamphlet Series

The following pamphlets are available as printable resources for educators. Educational agencies who wish to use them for recruitment purposes are also welcome to disseminate them freely. Please note that because these are intended to be viewed as tri-fold pamphlets, they are formatted to be printed double-sided and folded, so the second page will appear upside down to account for printer settings.

• Decide What You Want to Teach
  The first step in the process of becoming a teacher is to decide what you want to teach. In this pamphlet, learn about the common types of classroom settings and types of credentials that exist in California.
  
  
• Identify Your Pathway
  After you've decided what type of credential you want, the next step is to identify your pathway. There are four program pathways in California: residency, traditional, integrated undergraduate, and intern. In this pamphlet, learn about each pathway and what financial resources may be available depending on the one you choose.
  
  
• Program Considerations
  Now that you've identified the pathway that suits you best, your next step is to research programs. There are many things to consider in choosing a program. Some questions are answered in this pamphlet, but others will need to be directed to a program as the answer may vary depending on the program. Learn about program enrollment requirements, modality options, subject matter competence, program cost, and out-of-state programs.