Applying for:

Clear Teacher Librarian Services Credential based on completing an out-of-state program

Allows you to:

Serve as a School Librarian.

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
California teaching credential
  • You must have a teaching credential issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing that is valid (not expired). The following would be considered acceptable prerequisite 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 full-time Designated Subjects Teaching credentials, provided the holder also possesses a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.
  • 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

Transcript

 

  • Transcripts must show completion of ALL of the following:

(A bachelor’s degree satisfies both the degree requirement and the Basic Skills Requirement beginning 6/29/2024.)

 Professional preparation program for teacher librarian services in another state, comparable to a program accredited by the Committee on Accreditation, and consisting of at least 30 graduate semester units.

  • The college or university must be regionally accredited.
  • Submitting paper transcripts:
    • Upload a scan of the original, official paper transcripts. Clear photographs will also be accepted. All pages, front and back, must be included in the upload. 
  • Submitting electronic transcripts:
    • Upload the original file sent to you by the college or transcript service provider.
Supervised field work or the equivalent
  • Supervised field experience can be verified with ONE of the following:

 A letter verifying field experience from the college or university's education department where you completed your teacher librarian services preparation program.

 Transcript verifying that your program included supervised field experience.

  • If you are using a course on your transcript to meet this requirement, the course must be passed with a grade of C or better (Pass, Credit, or Satisfactory grades will also be accepted). If it is not clearly indicated on the transcript that the course is supervised field experience, you must submit the course description.
  • If you are submitting a letter, it must be on official letterhead from the chair of the college or university's Education department, and it 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.

Out-of-state teacher librarian services credential or eligibility letter
  • Scanned copy, image, or screenshot of your full, professional-level teacher librarian services credential from another state.
  • If you were not issued a teacher librarian services credential but are eligible for one, you may provide a letter of eligibility instead.
    • The letter must be from the state agency responsible for issuing the credential.
    • 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 letterhead of the state agency that issues the credential.

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 Clear level credential is issued for five years and is renewable. However, the expiration date will align with your prerequisite teaching credential. To renew this credential, you must also renew the prerequisite teaching credential.
  • Full details on qualifying for the Clear Teacher Librarian Services Credential based on completing an out-of-state program can be found on CL-562 under the section Requirements for the Clear Credential.
Updated December 12, 2025