General Information

Teachers of English learners (EL) must hold an appropriate credential document, emphasis or authorization for English language development, specially designed academic instruction delivered in English, or content instruction delivered in the primary language. The Commission issues several documents that authorize this instruction for English Learners (EL).

A teacher who is assigned to provide any of the following services must hold an appropriate authorization to provide the instruction to EL students.

  • Instruction for English language development (ELD)
  • Specially designed academic instruction delivered in English (SDAIE)
  • Content instruction delivered in the primary language
  • Instruction for Primary Language Development

For a summary of all documents that authorize instruction to EL students, see credential leaflet CL-622. For more information regarding the appropriate documents and their authorizations for teaching English learners, refer to pages G-1 to G-9 in the Administrator's Assignment Manual.

Teachers who do not hold appropriate authorizations may be given EL assignments on an interim basis if the teacher is identified on the district's Plan to Remedy the Shortage approved by the California Department of Education (CDE). For information about Department of Education options, contact the CDE English Learning Monitoring Unit (ELMU) at (916) 319-0938, or refer to CL-622.

Summary

All teacher candidates admitted to a California Multiple or Single Subject Teacher Credential Program on or after July 1, 2002 complete embedded English learner course work authorized under Assembly Bill 1059 (Chap. 711, Stats. 1999). In June 2006, an English Learner authorization was also embedded in the coursework for the Education Specialist Credential. Bilingual authorizations (formerly BCLAD) could be obtained through a multiple or single subject credential program with the bilingual emphasis included.

Individuals who did not hold an English learner or bilingual authorization were issued a separate CLAD or BCLAD Certificate, as appropriate, upon completion of requirements. Since January 1, 2007, individuals prepared in another state are provided the option of having an English learner authorization added directly to their prerequisite credential.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1871 (Chap. 660, Stats. 2008) signed by the Governor on September 30, 2008 brought forward three primary provisions for persons seeking English learner or bilingual authorizations:

Additional options to earn a bilingual authorization including the completion of a Commission-approved bilingual program either concurrently or following the initial issuance of the prerequisite credential or allowing recommending institutions to combine coursework from the bilingual program with Commission approved bilingual examination subtest(s).

Additional option to earn an English learner authorization or Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development (CLAD) Certificate by allowing recommending institutions to combine Commission-approved California Teacher of English Learner (CTEL) program coursework with passing scores on the CTEL examination subtest(s).

Individuals earn an "authorization" as opposed to a "certificate" or an "emphasis" for bilingual authorizations and may choose to earn either an English learner authorization or a CLAD Certificate. See Coded Correspondence 10-07: Implementation of AB 1871 Concerning Bilingual and English Learner Authorizations [PDF].

  • English Learner Options
    • English Learner Authorization/CLAD Certificate
    • Bilingual Authorization
    • Certificate of Completion of Staff Development
  • Prerequisite Documents for English Learner Authorizations
  • History

 

Resources

Updated August 14, 2025