Adapted from the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Education

Under Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, every public school teacher must meet the applicable State certification and licensure requirements for their discipline. The state of California has specific requirements for CA public school teachers, with a variety of credentialing pathways. The following is a summary of the types of credentials available for TK-12 teachers (elementary, middle and high school, and special education).

I. Teaching Credentials

There are various types of credentials for prospective TK-12 grade teachers that include:

1. New PK-3 credential for Elementary teachers: For instruction in multiple areas commonly taught in California elementary schools, specifically only for grades TK-3rd. 
2. Multiple-Subject credential for Elementary teachers: For instruction in multiple subjects as commonly taught in California elementary schools. The Multiple Subject Teaching Credential authorizes its holder to teach all areas of curriculum for grades K-8 in a self-contained classroom. Educators can also teach TK if they have 24-units of Child Development along with their multiple subject credentials.
3. Single-Subject credential for Middle School and High School teachers: authorizes holders to teach specific subject(s) in most middle and high schools, TK-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults.
4. Education Specialist credential for Special Education teachers: authorizes holders to teach in disability areas of specialization in the following areas: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN); Extensive Support Needs (ESN); Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE); Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH); and Visual Impairments (VI). Holders of this credential can teach in a variety of settings including general education settings, resource rooms, development centers, among others.

For all four types of credentials, the commission issues two-level teaching credentials: ‘preliminary’ and ‘clear’. A preliminary credential is the first document issued after an individual has met basic credential requirements. The clear credential is issued once all credential requirements have been completed and one is already teaching.

There is no state-issued credential for those wishing to teach at the college and university level. A minimum of a Master’s degree is necessary in the subject matter to be taught. A Ph.D. is usually required for teaching at the four-year university level.

NEW PK-3RD GRADE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE) SPECIALIST INSTRUCTION CREDENTIAL

The PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential authorizes the holder to teach all subjects in a self-contained general education classroom setting in grades preschool through grade three, including Transitional Kindergarten.  It also allows the holder to team teach or to regroup students across self-contained classrooms within this grade range.

This credential will prepare teachers that represent a diverse workforce that reflects the children and families/guardians they serve in PK-3.  This credential recognizes and values the rich background and extensive experience candidates who come from current and/or prior work in the ECE field bring to their preparation programs. Taken together, these prior work experiences, knowledge and wisdom can provide foundational preparation in child development and early childhood education to support candidates' transition from the Child Development Permit system to earning the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential and serving as a teacher in a PK-3 ECE classroom setting.

As new PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction credential programs are approved, they will be listed on the Commission’s Approved Institutions and Programs website.  

Currently, in addition to the Baccalaureate degree AND completing a commission-approved credential program (or Bachelor/Credential dual program), those wishing to teach in California must also meet the following requirements:

1. Verify subject matter competence by one of the following methods:
   1. Possession of a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a degree major in one of the following fields: Child Development; Child and Adolescent Development; Human Development; Early Childhood Education; Child and Family Studies; Early Childhood Studies; Family Science; Human Development and Family Science; or Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies.
   2. Completion of 24 semester units or 36 quarter units of non-remedial, degree-applicable coursework at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in early childhood education and/or child development.
2. Meet the literacy requirement by obtaining a passing score on one of the following: a Commission-approved Literacy Performance Assessment, the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) (prior to October 31, 2025), or the Foundations of Reading Exam.
3. Complete a course (two semester units or three quarter units) in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution or pass an examination given by a regionally-accredited college or university.
4. Complete a Commission-approved PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist preparation program (includes TPA). 

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EDUCATION: MULTIPLE - SUBJECT CREDENTIAL

Students who wish to teach elementary education may choose from several pathway options. One option is a traditional Commission-approved multiple subject teacher preparation program after the Bachelor’s degree, leading to a Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or Preliminary Education Specialist Credential (to become a Special Education teacher).

In a second option, students may find it possible to concurrently complete the requirements for the bachelor’s degree AND a preliminary credential in a standard four-to-five year full-time college integrated program. These programs are referred to as Dual or Integrated Teacher Education Programs (ITEP) and are available at several universities and colleges. Students will complete their professional education courses AND student teaching while completing their bachelor’s degree. One such program is “Urban Learning” at CSU Los Angeles. The majority of CSU’s offer this pathway under the “Liberal Studies” major. The most common majors for students interested in pursuing elementary school teaching are Liberal Studies and Child Development.

Currently, in addition to the Baccalaureate degree AND completing a commission-approved credential program (or Bachelor/Credential integrated program), those wishing to teach in California must also meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfy the basics skills requirement by earning a B or higher in approved college courses satisfying the reading, writing, and mathematics subjects (or by passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST))
2. Verify subject matter competency by earning a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies or other pre-approved program/major (or by passing the appropriate California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET))
3. Meet the literacy requirement by obtaining a passing score on one of the following: a Commission-approved Literacy Performance Assessment, the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) (prior to October 31, 2025), or the Foundations of Reading Exam.
4. Complete a course on the principles of the U.S. constitution or pass an exam at a regionally-accredited college or university

Currently, PCC prepares students for transfer to Cal State Los Angeles (Major areas: Child Development, Liberal Studies, and Urban Learning); Cal State Fullerton (Liberal Studies and Child and Adolescent Development); Cal State Northridge (Liberal Studies and Child and Adolescent Development); Cal Poly Pomona (Liberal Studies and Gender, Ethnicity and Multicultural Studies – GEMS and Early Childhood Studies; University of California, Riverside (Liberal Studies); Mount St. Mary’s College (Liberal Studies); Pacific Oaks College (Human Development and Early Childhood Education); and University of La Verne (Liberal Studies).

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION: SINGLE-SUBJECT CREDENTIAL

Those wishing to teach a particular subject in middle and/or high school have a variety of options.  Typically, students major in the discipline they will teach and progress to the Single Subject Credential Program after the completion of a baccalaureate degree. For example, students wishing to teach high school English, usually major in English. There are however a few programs where the process of starting the Single Subject Teaching Credential begins prior to completing the baccalaureate degree. This is often in the areas of Science, Mathematics or English. For example, UC Riverside has an Integrated Program with a major in Mathematics.  

Single-Subject Teaching Credential programs offer credentials in the following subjects:

• Agriculture   
• Art   
• Business   
• English   
• Foundational-Level Gen. Science   
• Foundational-Level Mathematics   
• Health Science   
• Home Economics  
• Industrial and Technology Ed.   
• Mathematics  
• Music
• Physical Education
• Science: Biological Sciences
• Science: Chemistry
• Science: Geosciences
• Science: Physics
• Social Science (includes History)
• World Language: English Language Development
• World Language: Languages other than English

In addition to a Baccalaureate degree AND completing a commission-approved credential program (or Bachelor/Single-Subject credential integrated program), those wishing to teach in California must also meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfy the basics skills requirement by earning a B or higher in approved college courses satisfying the reading, writing, and mathematics subjects (or by passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST))
2. Verify subject matter competency by earning a Bachelor's degree in the content-area that will be taught (or by passing the appropriate California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET))
3. Complete a course on the principles of the U.S. constitution or pass an exam at a regionally-accredited college or university

See an Academic Counselor for specific program and major course requirements for the various colleges/universities, also available on ASSIST.

SPECIAL EDUCATION: EDUCATION SPECIALIST CREDENTIAL

Those wishing to become Special Education teachers have a variety of options in terms of who they teach and their pathways. The various specialty areas in the Education Specialist credential include:

• Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN): Includes specific learning disabilities; mild to moderate support needs; autism; emotional disturbance; intellectual disability; multiple disabilities; orthopedic impairment; other health impairment; specific learning disability; traumatic brain injury; and authorizes service in grades K–12, transitional kindergarten, and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22.
• Extensive Support Needs (ESN): Includes autism; deafblind; extensive support needs; intellectual disability; multiple disabilities; orthopedic impairment; other health impairment; emotional disturbance; traumatic brain injury, and authorizes service in grades K–12, transitional kindergarten, and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22.
• Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE): Includes the mild to moderate support needs and extensive support needs listed above; authorizes service to children ages birth to kindergarten only.
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH): Includes deafness; hearing impairment; deafblind; autism; and authorizes service to individuals ages birth through 22.
• Visual Impairments (VI): Includes blindness; visual impairment; deaf-blindness; and authorizes service to individuals ages birth through 22.

An added authorization in Early Childhood Special Education is also available to individuals who hold a preliminary, Level I, professional clear, clear, Level II, or life special education teaching credential, and who complete a program though a Commission-approved program sponsor. The ECSE Added Authorization authorizes the holder to provide special education services in the areas of autism, emotional disturbance, intellectual disability, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, traumatic brain injury, and multiple disabilities including developmental delay and a disabling medical condition for students ages birth to kindergarten as determined by the local level special education assessment.

In addition to earning the Baccalaureate degree AND completing a commission-approved Education Specialist credential program (or Bachelor/Credential integrated program), those wishing to become Special Education teachers in California must also meet the following requirements:

For an updated and complete list of requirements for all credentials please visit the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) website.

For offerings at Pasadena City College, please contact the PCC Hixon Teacher Preparation Program at hixonteacherprep@pasadena.edu

II. Pupil Services Credential

The Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential authorizes any of the following specializations: school counseling, school social work, school psychology, and the additional authorization of child welfare and attendance services.

The authorization and requirements for each specialization are listed on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) website. 

III. Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential

California has a two-tier structure for this credential that consists of a sequence of requirements, which the holder is given up to two years to complete. The two-year preliminary credential is the first document issued after an individual meets the specific credential requirements. Individuals receiving the preliminary credential are making a commitment to complete the process and obtain the clear credential. The clear credential is issued once all credential requirements have been completed. If requirements for the clear credential are not completed before the expiration of the preliminary, the holder will be unable to serve in California’s public schools with that credential until those requirements are met and the document renewed.

The Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential may be issued in any of the following areas:

• Language, Speech and Hearing
• Language, Speech and Hearing and Audiology
• Language, Speech and Hearing including Special Class Authorization
• Language, Speech and Hearing and Audiology including Special Class Authorization

The authorization and requirements for this credential and areas are listed on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) website. 

IV. Administrative Services Credential for Individuals Prepared in California

California has a two-tier credential structure. A five-year preliminary credential is the first credential issued after an individual meets basic credential requirements. A clear credential is issued when all credential requirements have been completed. The Administrative Services Credential authorizes the holder to provide the following services in grades 12 and below, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults: