Recommendation Process

The following credential items must be completed and on file with your Credential Analyst in order to be recommended to the state of California for a Preliminary Teaching Credential:

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution with official transcript on file.
  • Completion of basic skills requirement
  • Certificate of Clearance or any other valid California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)‐issued permit.
  • Valid negative TB test.
  • Completion of U.S. Constitution requirement
  • Satisfying Subject Matter Competency.
  • Certification of infant/child/adult CPR training.
  • U.S Constitution Course passage or an approved U.S Constitution examination.
  • Passing RICA scores.
  • Transition Plan/Individual Development Plan (IDP) submitted in Taskstream.

In addition to the above, Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential candidates must complete two California Teaching Performance Assessments (CalTPAs):

  • CalTPA Cycle 1: Learning About Students and Planning Instruction
  • CalTPA Cycle 2: Assessment-Driven Instruction
Helpful Tips:
  • All credential items must be valid at the time of credential recommendation.
  • If all requirements listed above have been met, your respective Credential Analyst will recommend you to the CTC for your credential.
  • If there are outstanding credential requirements that have not been met, the Credential Analyst will notify you.
  • Upon credential recommendation, the CTC will send you, the teacher candidate, an email prompting payment. Payments are made directly to the CTC. Teacher candidates cannot receive their credential until they have paid for it on the CTC website. Once completed, candidates will be in the CTC database and listed publicly as a preliminary credential holder. All initial California teaching credentials are known as “preliminary.”
  • Candidates have five years to “clear” their credential. Some school districts may provide support but it is the candidate’s responsibility to fulfill the requirements to clear his/her credential within the allotted timeframe.