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CTC Credential Requirements

The following are general requirements for all TCs to be recommended to the CTC for a credential. TCs must satisfy these as well as TPP admission requirements.

  • TB Clearance
  • Certificate of Clearance (COC)
  • Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)
  • Multiple Subject Matter Competency or Single Subject Matter Competency Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)
  • US Constitution
  • CPR Certification
  • Official transcript with a baccalaureate degree or higher
  • Minimum GPA Requirement Education Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA)

TB Clearance

TCs will be required to provide evidence of a negative TB test upon admission to the credential program. This can be completed through either a TB Risk Assessment Form or TB test. If the TB Risk Assessment Form determines there are TB risk factors or a history of TB, then TCs must proceed with a TB test. If the TB test is positive, TCs are required to obtain a clear chest x-ray. A copy of the x-ray results can be submitted to the Credential Office. The negative TB examination is valid for two (2) years from the date the test was read and the results were recorded. TCs must have a valid TB report for the entire duration of their program.

Certificate of Clearance (COC)

The CTC requires a LiveScan fingerprint clearance and background check through the CTC and is required upon admission to the credential program. Forms and information are available from the Credential Office. If TCs hold an Emergency or Substitute Teaching Permit, they can submit a copy to the Credential Office in lieu of COC. The Certificate of Clearance must be posted on the CTC website www.ctc.ca.gov for verification.

Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)

TCs must complete the BSR and submit it to the Credential Office prior to beginning Clinical Experience 2. There are 8 options for satisfying the BSR.

  1. Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
  2. Pass the CSET: Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skills Examination
  3. Pass CTC approved out-of-state basic skills exam
  4. Achieve qualifying scores on the SAT (If taken before March 2016, a score of 500 or above on English and a score of 550 or above on Math. If taken after March 2016, a score of 560 or above on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and a score of 570 or above on Math.)
  5. Achieve qualifying scores on the ACT (score of 22 or above on English and score of 23 or above on math)
  6. Achieve qualifying scores on Advanced Placement (AP) examinations (score of 3 or above on AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition; a score of 3 or above on AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, or AP Statistics)
  7. Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program (score of "College Ready" or "Exempt" on both English and math)
  8. Pass the CSU Placement Examinations (score of 151 or above on English and score of 50 or above on math)

Multiple Subject Matter Competency

There are two methods of establishing subject-matter competence for the Multiple Subject teaching credential in California: (1) complete a Commission-approved Subject Matter Preparation Program at a California college or university and obtain a Subject Matter Competence Equivalency letter (verification of completion) from the authorized person in the Education Department at that university or college or (2) take and pass all three CSET Multiple Subject subtests. All Subject Matter Competence Equivalency letters or passing CSET score reports must be submitted to the Credential Office prior to beginning Clinical Experience 2. If a TC has not passed the proper CSET subtests and met the BSR by the last day of the "add/drop period" for that term, then the TC must withdraw from the clinical experience course immediately. For more information on the CSET registration, the tests, test dates, passing scores and to view sample tests visit www.cset.nesinc.com.

Single Subject Matter Competency

There are two methods of establishing subject-matter competence for the Single Subject teaching credential in California: (1) complete a Commission-approved Subject Matter Preparation Program at a California college or university and obtain a Subject Matter Competence Equivalency letter (verification of completion) from the authorized person in the Education Department at that university or college or (2) take and pass all appropriate CSET subtests. All Subject Matter Competence Equivalency letters or passing CSET score reports must be submitted to the Credential Office prior to beginning Clinical Experience 2. If a TC has not passed the proper CSET subtests and met the BSR by the last day of the "add/drop period" for that term, then the TC must withdraw from the clinical experience course immediately. For more information on the CSET registration, the tests, test dates, passing scores and to view sample tests visit www.cset.nesinc.com.

*Please note: Seaver's English Credential program is the only state-approved subject matter program at Pepperdine. TCs who major in other subjects will be required to take the CSET.

Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)

The RICA is required for all Multiple Subject Teaching Credential TCs. To fulfill this credential requirement, TCs must take and pass either the RICA Written Examination or the RICA Video Performance Assessment. Passage of either one of these two assessments satisfies this credential requirement. For more information, refer to the RICA Registration Bulletin.

U.S. Constitution

This requirement may be met by passing a Commission-approved college or university examination, or by successfully completing a CTC-approved college course (two-semester units or three-quarter units) in the provisions of the U.S. Constitution with a grade of 'C' or better. The Credential Office will evaluate college transcripts to determine whether or not the U.S. Constitution requirement has been met.

CPR Certification

To fulfill this requirement, the training must be the equivalent of the American Heart Association Heartsaver (BLS-B) course, or the Community CPR course provided by the American Red Cross. The course must cover adult, infant and child CPR skills, plus rescue breathing and choke rescue, education risk factors, sudden cardiac arrest. It may also include causes of respiratory arrest, healthy heart concept and emphasis on recognizing the symptoms of heart attack and taking action before CPR becomes necessary.

Official Transcript with Baccalaureate Degree or Higher

TCs must submit official transcripts with a Bachelor's Degree or higher conferred by a regionally accredited institution. Electronic official transcripts are only acceptable if it can be verified that they were directly received by the TPP.

Minimum GPA Requirement

TCs must establish a 2.5 GPA in their first semester of academic work in order to continue in the program on regular status. Grades must be a C or better to earn a recommendation for the SB 2042 teaching credential.

Education Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA)

The edTPA is completed during Clinical Experience 2 or 3. Developed by Stanford University at the Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, and Equity (SCALE), the edTPA is a performance-based, subject-specific assessment used by TPPs throughout the United States to measure the skills and knowledge that all beginning teachers must acquire. The assessment features a common architecture focused on three tasks: planning, instruction, and assessment.