Understand the Requirements
To be a teacher, you must meet all the requirements for a credential. California teaching credentials have similar basic skills requirements, but there are specific requirements for each type of teaching:
- Elementary requirements (Multiple Subject Teaching Credential)
- Secondary/middle requirements (Single Subject Teaching Credential)
- Special education requirements (Education Specialist Instruction Credential)
There are also different requirements for people who:
-
wish to teach career-technical education (Designated Subjects Career Technical Education Teaching Credential
- people with teaching experience
Virtual Advisor
The Virtual Advisor can answer your questions about high-need subject areas:
- Special Education
- Mathematics
- Science
Next Steps
What's your next step for becoming a teacher in California? Find the answer by using the My Career Plan tool.
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) sets teacher
preparation standards, approves teacher preparation programs, and grants credentials and related documents.
California has added some credentialing flexibilities for teachers during the pandemic. These changes allow future teachers flexibility in when they take the required tests. Read the EdSource article.