Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) Calculator

For most credentials or permits to serve in California public schools, applicants must verify basic skills proficiency, aka. BSR, in English reading, English writing, and mathematics before the credential or permit can be issued. Additionally, teacher preparation programs often require that a candidate verify the completion of this requirement during the application process as well. There are multiple ways in which this requirement can be satisfied. This tool is designed to provide an understanding of the various options available and the documentation that must be submitted to the Commission for each option.

Please select from the options below indicating how you passed the Reading portion of the Basic Skills Requirement.
To see important details about each BSR option, select the icon next to each choice.

College Course (3 Semester Units or 4 Quarter Units)
Individuals can meet the reading component of the basic skills requirement by completing a college course in critical thinking, literature, philosophy, reading, rhetoric, or textual analysis. Courses must have been taken at a regionally-accredited college or university for credit, passed with a grade of B or better, be degree applicable, and be at least 3 semester units or 4 quarter units. Qualifying coursework does not include professional development or continuing education units or in-service training or workshops. See the Transcript Guidance for information on how to submit official transcripts.
California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
Individuals can meet the reading component of the basic skills requirement by passing the Reading subtest of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) with a score of 41 or higher. However, a score as low as 37 on an individual section is acceptable if the total score is at least 123.
CSET: Multiple Subjects Subtest I (Test Code 101)
Individuals can meet the reading component of the basic skills requirement by passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects Examination Subtests 101 with a minimum score of 220.
Qualifying Score on the ACT
Individuals can meet the reading component of the basic skills requirement by achieving a score of 22 or higher on the ACT English exam.
Qualifying Score on the SAT (taken before 2016)
Individuals who took the SATs before March 1, 2016, can meet the reading component of the basic skills requirement by having achieved a score of 500 or higher on the Critical Reading (or Verbal) section of the SAT exam.
Qualifying Score on the SAT (taken after 2016)
Individuals who took the SATs after March 1, 2016, can meet the reading component of the basic skills requirement by having achieved a score of 560 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT exam.
College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations - English
Individuals who achieve a score of 3 or higher on the College Board AP English exam have met the reading component of the basic skills requirement.
CSU Early Assessment Program
Individuals whose college transcripts show that they achieved a designation of “College Ready” or “Exempt” on the California State University’s Early Assessment Program (EAP) in English can satisfy the reading component of the basic skills requirement. Note that these assessments are no longer offered by the CSU system.
CSU Placement Examinations
Individuals who achieved a score of 151 on the California State University’s English Placement Test (EPT) can satisfy the reading component of the basic skills Rrequirement. Note that these assessments are no longer offered by the CSU system.
Basic Skills Examination from Another State
If you completed teacher preparation in another state, you may be able to use that state's exam to meet the Basic Skills Requirement. See the Out-of-State Basic Skills Exams Guide for a list of acceptable out-of-state exams.

Please select from the options below indicating how you passed the Writing portion of the Basic Skills Requirement.
To see important details about each BSR option, select the icon next to each choice.

College Course (3 Semester Units or 4 Quarter Units)
Individuals can meet the writing component of the basic skills requirement by completing a college course in composition, English, rhetoric, written communication, or writing. Courses must have been taken at a regionally-accredited college or university for credit, passed with a grade of B or better, be degree applicable, and be at least 3 semester units or 4 quarter units. Qualifying coursework does not include professional development or continuing education units or in-service training or workshops. See the Transcript Guidance for information on how to submit official transcripts.
California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
Individuals can meet the writing component of the basic skills requirement by passing the Writing subtest of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) with a score of 41 or higher. However, a score as low as 37 on an individual section is acceptable if the total score is at least 123.
CSET: Writing Skills (Test Code 142)
Individuals can meet the writing component of the basic skills requirement by passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): Writing Skills Examination Subtest 142 with a minimum score of 220.
Qualifying Score on the ACT
Individuals can meet the writing component of the basic skills requirement by achieving a score of 22 or higher on the ACT English exam.
Qualifying Score on the SAT (taken before 2016)
Individuals who took the SATs before March 1, 2016, can meet the writing component of the basic skills requirement by having achieved a score of 500 or higher on the Critical Reading (or Verbal) section of the SAT exam.
Qualifying Score on the SAT (taken after 2016)
Individuals who took the SATs after March 1, 2016, can meet the writing component of the basic skills requirement by having achieved a score of 560 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT exam.
College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations - English
Individuals who achieve a score of 3 or higher on the College Board AP English exam have met the writing component of the basic skills requirement.
CSU Early Assessment Program
Individuals whose college transcripts show that they achieved a designation of “College Ready” or “Exempt” on the California State University’s Early Assessment Program (EAP) in English can satisfy the writing component of the basic skills requirement. Note that these assessments are no longer offered by the CSU system.
CSU Placement Examinations
Individuals who achieved a score of 151 on the California State University’s English Placement Test (EPT) can satisfy the writing component of the basic skills Rrequirement. Note that these assessments are no longer offered by the CSU system.
Basic Skills Examination from Another State
If you completed teacher preparation in another state, you may be able to use that state's exam to meet the Basic Skills Requirement. See the Out-of-State Basic Skills Exams Guide for a list of acceptable out-of-state exams.

Please select from the options below indicating how you passed the Mathematics portion of the Basic Skills Requirement.
To see important details about each BSR option, select the icon next to each choice.

College Course (3 Semester Units or 4 Quarter Units)
Individuals can meet the mathematics component of the basic skills requirement by completing a college course in in algebra, geometry, mathematics, quantitative reasoning, or statistics. Courses must have been taken at a regionally-accredited college or university for credit, passed with a grade of B or better, be degree applicable, and be at least 3 semester units or 4 quarter units. Qualifying coursework does not include professional development or continuing education units or in-service training or workshops. See the Transcript Guidance for information on how to submit official transcripts.
California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
Individuals can meet the mathematics component of the basic skills requirement by passing the Mathematics subtest of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) with a score of 41 or higher. However, a score as low as 37 on an individual section is acceptable if the total score is at least 123.
CSET: Multiple Subjects Subtest II (Test Code 102 or 214)
Individuals can meet the mathematics component of the basic skills requirement by passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects Examination Subtest 214 with a minimum score of 220 in each subtest.
Qualifying Score on the ACT
Individuals can meet the mathematics component of the basic skills requirement by achieving a score of 23 or higher on the ACT Mathematics exam.
Qualifying Score on the SAT (taken before 2016)
Individuals who took the SATs before March 1, 2016, can meet the reading component of the basic skills requirement by having achieved a score of 550 or higher on the Mathematics section of the SAT exam.
Qualifying Score on the SAT (taken after 2016)
Individuals who took the SATs after March 1, 2016, can meet the reading component of the basic skills requirement by having achieved a score of 570 or higher on the Mathematics section of the SAT exam.
College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations – Calculus
Individuals who achieve a score of 3 or higher on either the College Board AP Calculus or AP Statistics exams have met the mathematics component of the basic skills requirement.
College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations - Statistics
Individuals who achieve a score of 3 or higher on either the College Board AP Calculus or AP Statistics exams have met the mathematics component of the basic skills requirement.
CSU Early Assessment Program
Individuals whose college transcripts show that they achieved a designation of “College Ready” or “Exempt” on the California State University’s Early Assessment Program (EAP) in Mathematics can satisfy the mathematics component of the basic skills requirement. Note that these assessments are no longer offered by the CSU system.
CSU Placement Examinations
Individuals who achieved a score of 50 on the Entry Level Math (ELM) test can satisfy the mathematics component of the basic skills requirement. Note that these assessments are no longer offered by the CSU system.
Basic Skills Examination from Another State
If you completed teacher preparation in another state, you may be able to use that state's exam to meet the Basic Skills Requirement. See the Out-of-State Basic Skills Exams Guide for a list of acceptable out-of-state exams.
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