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All teacher candidates admitted to a California Multiple or Single Subject Teacher Credential Program on or after July 1, 2002 complete embedded English Learner coursework. In June 2006, an English Learner authorization was also embedded in the coursework for the Education Specialist Credential. These Multiple Subject, Single Subject and Education Specialist candidates are recommended for an English Learner authorization directly on their teaching credential at the completion of their program.

Helpful Resource:

CTC Information on 

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing administers examinations used to meet certification requirements.

Test bulletins are available on line at the web sites for downloading if a printed copy is desired.

Please use the following web sites for exam information and to register for exams.

• (formerly RICA)
•  (replaces CLAD exams)

See .

The California Education Code Section 44335 requires Multiple Subject, Single Subject and Educational Specialist credential candidates to complete a course (two semester units or three quarter units) in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution, or pass an examination in the subject given by a regionally-accredited community college, college, or university. At CSU, Long Beach, both POSC 100 and POSC 391 are approved; only one is required. Equivalent courses taken at other institutions may be substituted. You may contact staff in the Credential Center for review of your transcripts to find out if you have already met the requirement or for information regarding acceptable alternatives. View our U.S. Constitution section on the left for more information. 

Your first step to get a California credential is to either go to a School District or County Office of Education and have them file for your credential. Your requirements will be based upon your experience as a teacher. You will need to provide official transcripts, letters verifying experience and evaluations of your previous teaching experience. The School District or County Office of Education will provide you with the forms necessary (including fingerprinting) to file for the credential. When you receive your five-year credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the actual face of the document will list the requirements you must complete within the timeline of the document.

CBEST (California Basic Education Skills Test for Teachers) must be passed within the first year.

You can also file directly with the state providing all the information listed above.

CCTC Links:

1. This is not required. You will need to hold onto your scores and submit them to your district when it is time to apply for your Clear Credential.
2. If you have passed the examinations and would like to have the renewal requirement of the TPA and/or RICA removed from your document, you will need to mail a state credential , fee, and scores directly to the CTC and request that they remove the requirement(s).

No, please submit your request once all requirements are completed to alert us that your file is ready. Submitting too early may cause a delay in recommendation as we will need to skip your file to review other files that are already complete.

You should receive an automated email confirmation when you form is submitted. Please include the email address on file with the CTC (non-ºÚÁÏÍø email) and check your spam folder if you do not see the email confirmation.

If we find that you file is incomplete, a credential analyst or other SSAC staff member will contact you with more information. Please check your spam folder for the automated email from CTC (donotreply @ ctc.ca.gov). Your recommendation may take up to 15 business days to be submitted to the CTC from the time your file is complete. At the end of the semester, we are busy working on hundreds of credential files and reviewing them individually. We appreciate your patience.

Credential issuance dates depend on the date the last requirements were completed, and when you apply for recommendation. We do not know what your issuance date will be in advance, and not everyone will have the same issuance date.

Examinations, fingerprints, and courses can expire, and state program standards may change. Finish and apply.

We will send you more information if you are not ready to apply by the deadline. It will be your responsibility to contact us at CED-Credentials@csulb.edu to notify us that you are ready to apply for your credential, and will assist you with your next steps. You will still be able to apply for your credential when ready.

You do not need to complete a new Preliminary Credential Program. Preliminary or expired credentials can be reactivated by requesting an extension with the CTC but may be subject to new regulations. See for more information. 

No, but if you teach out of state, this may help you earn your California Clear Credential. for more information.

If you are moving out of California and need program verification to obtain a new credential certification in your new state, please visit our Out of State and Program Verification page.