PRECONDITIONREQUIRED EVIDENCE

1. Prerequisite Credential 
An institution that operates a program for the Agriculture Specialist Instruction Credential shall determine, prior to admitting the candidate into the program, that the candidate either: 
(1) possesses a single subject teaching credential in agriculture, or

(2) is enrolled in a preparation program leading to a single-subject teaching credential in agriculture concurrently with enrollment in the program leading to the Agriculture Specialist Instruction Credential.

  • Direct link to the admissions criteria on the program website describing the requirements for program admission.
  • Direct link to the tracking sheet or program checklist used to verify that the candidate has a valid Single Subject credential in Agriculture or verification of enrollment in a Single Subject Credential Program. Brief description of the process the program uses to verify that this requirement is met, including the title of the individual responsible for verifying this requirement is met.
2. Completion Requirements 
An institution that operates a program for the Agriculture Specialist Instruction Credential shall determine, prior to recommending the candidate for the credential, that the candidate possesses a valid single-subject teaching credential in agriculture. If the candidate completes both the single-subject and agriculture specialist instruction programs concurrently, the institution may recommend the candidate for both credentials concurrently.
  • Direct link to program completion requirements on the program website. This must include clear language regarding the requirement for candidates to have a valid single-subject teaching credential in agriculture or will be recommended for a single-subject teaching credential prior to recommending the candidate for the credential.
  • A brief description of the process the program uses to verify, prior to recommendation of a candidate for an Agriculture Specialist Instruction Credential, that the candidate possesses a valid single-subject teaching credential in agriculture.
3. Area of Specialization 
An institution that operates a program for the Agriculture Specialist Instruction Credential shall determine, prior to recommending the candidate for the credential, that the candidate has demonstrated advanced knowledge in one of the following domains in agriculture: animal science; plant and soil science; ornamental horticulture; agricultural business management; environmental science and natural resource management; or agricultural systems technology. 

This advanced knowledge must be demonstrated through one of the following means: 
(1) possession of a baccalaureate degree with a major in one of the six domains listed above or in a field closely related to one of those domains; 
(2) verification of subject matter competence as required for the single subject credential in agriculture, plus a minimum of nine semester units or twelve quarter units of college coursework in one of the domains listed above; or, 
(3) verification of subject matter competence as required for the single subject credential in agriculture, plus 1,000 hours of occupational experience in one of the domains listed above. (Occupational experience accrued to meet this requirement also applies to the occupational experience precondition defined below.)

  • Direct link to program completion requirements on the program website. This must include clear language regarding the requirement for candidates to demonstrate advanced knowledge in the domains of agriculture described in the precondition.
  • A brief description of the process the program uses to verify, prior to recommendation of a candidate for an Agriculture Specialist Instruction Credential, that the candidate has demonstrated advanced knowledge in the required domains in agriculture.

4. Verification of Experience
An institution that operates a program for the Agriculture Specialist Instruction Credential shall determine, prior to recommending the candidate for the credential, that the candidate has completed occupational experience in agriculture that consists of one of the following:
(a) minimum of 2,000 hours of either paid or voluntary experience, the entirety of which must be completed after graduation from high school; or, Agriculture Specialist 1 Preconditions
(b) A minimum of 3,000 hours of either paid or voluntary experience, of which a maximum of 1,500 hours may be accrued prior to graduation from high school.
  • Direct link to program completion requirements on the program website. This must include clear language regarding the requirement for candidates to have completed occupational experience met by (a) or (b).
  • A brief description of the process the program uses to verify, prior to recommendation of a candidate for an Agriculture Specialist Instruction Credential, that the candidate has completed occupational experience in agriculture by (a) or (b).
Updated November 20, 2025