Apply for the Teaching Credential

The Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) verifies basic skills proficiency in the areas of Reading, Writing, and Mathematics before a credential, certificate, or permit will be issued. There are several options for candidates to satisfy this requirement including exams, qualifying coursework, and a combination of exams and coursework. 

To indicate which option will be used to fulfill BSR, please complete the BSR Evaluation Form. This form is for enrolled students in the Teacher Preparation, School Counseling, and School Psychology programs at the Kalmanovitz School of Education (KSOE). Candidates must provide official exam score reports and official transcripts for qualifying coursework. 

For more information on the CTC’s BSR guidelines, please visit BSR (CL-667).

Meet the BSR by Exam

Individuals may satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement by one of the following exams:

1. Pass the CBEST

To pass the CBEST, one must obtain a minimum scaled score of 41 in each of the three sections—reading, writing, and mathematics. However, a score as low as 37 on an individual section is acceptable if the total scaled score is at least 123. For more information including exam fees and dates visit the CTC-Exam website.

2. Pass the CSET: Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skills Examination

Passage of the CSET: Multiple Subjects Examination (subtests #101, 214, & 225) plus the CSET: Writing Skills examination (test #142) can be used to meet the basic skills requirement. For more information including exam fees and dates visit the CTC-Exam website.

3. Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement Examinations

Receive passing scores on the California State University (CSU) Early Assessment Program (EAP), English and Mathematics sections. Or, receive passing scores on the CSU Placement Examinations (English Placement Test [EPT] and Entry Level Mathematics [ELM]). See Appendix Table 1 for passing scores.

4. Achieve Qualifying Score on the SAT or ACT

For SAT exams taken after March 2016 a minimum score of 570 in Mathematics and a minimum score of 560 in Evidence- Based Reading and Writing are required. See Appendix Table 3 for passing scores from exams taken prior to March 2016.

For the ACT, achieve a score of 22 or higher on the English exam and a score of 23 or higher on the Mathematics exam.

5. College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations

Achieve a score of 3 or higher on the College Board AP Exams. Acceptable exams include: AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, and AP Statistics.

6. Pass a Basic Skills Examination from Another State

The Out-of-State Basic Skills Exams Chart provides guidance for examinations from other states that may be accepted for use toward meeting California's basic skills requirement. This chart is only a guide and is subject to change.
 

Meet the BSR by Coursework

Individuals may satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement by verification of qualifying coursework. Courses must be from a regionally-accredited college or university for credit, passed with a grade of B or better (B-, Passing, and Credit are acceptable), be AA/AS or BA/BS/BFA degree applicable, and be at least 3 semester units or 4 quarter units. 

Coursework including professional development, continuing education units or in-service training or workshops does not qualify.

Qualifying coursework includes the following:

For reading proficiency: a course in critical thinking, literature, philosophy, reading, rhetoric, or textual analysis.

For writing proficiency: a course in composition, English, rhetoric, written communication, or writing.

For mathematics proficiency: a course in algebra, geometry, mathematics, quantitative reasoning, or statistics.

A course that does not fall within the indicated areas may still qualify with an additional letter of explanation. The  letter must be from the registrar or the department chair that oversees the Mathematics or English department, as applicable. The letter must state that a course passed by the applicant covered reading, writing, or mathematics. Such a letter could also attest that a single course sufficiently indicates proficiency in reading and writing combined.
 

Meet the BSR by Coursework and Exam

Individuals may satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement by a combination of exam scores and verification of qualifying coursework. The qualifying coursework must meet the requirements as described above. A qualifying exam score can be used from all available options except out-of-state exams. The Guidance Chart for Mixing BSR Options can be used when determining acceptable combinations.

Candidates may meet the SMCR through successful completion of one the following options:

1. Completion of a CTC-approved subject matter preparation program.

2. Passage of the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) in the appropriate subject area.

3. Successful completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with the following, as applicable (PSA 21-10):

   • For Education Specialist Credentials: either a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates or a liberal studies or other major that includes coursework in the content areas pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44282 (PSA 21-10). 

     • This includes the Saint Mary’s College BA in Justice, Community and Leadership and the JCL + MSTE Multiple Subjects Credential Preparation program.

   • For Multiple Subject Credentials: a liberal studies major or other degree that includes coursework in the content areas pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44282 (PSA 21-10).

     • This includes the Saint Mary’s College BA in Justice, Community and Leadership and the JCL + MSTE Multiple Subjects Credential Preparation program.

   • For Single Subject Credentials: a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates. 

For example, if you want to teach English, then you must have an English degree to waive the CSET exam.  If you want to teach Math, then you must hold a degree in Math to waive the CSET.  Even if you have taken a lot of math classes for an Engineering or Business degree, those degrees will not waive the CSET at this time. The accepted majors that waive the subject matter requirements for SMC single subject teacher preparation programs are:  

• Art
• English  
• World Language (in any of the languages for which there is a credential)  
• Health Science  
• Mathematics  
• Music   
• Physical Education  
• Science (including Biology, Chemistry, Geoscience or Earth and Space Science, and Physics)  
• Social Science 

Applied majors (e.g. Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics) and exact majors in one of the single subject areas that may have additional modifiers (e.g. Biology: Environmental Biology; Art: Art History; and Physical Education: Kinesiology) are also acceptable. 

For Social Science, the BA/BS degree must be in “Social Science” in order to fulfill this requirement. Majors in History, Economics, Geography, Anthropology, Psychology, or Political Science, etc., do not fulfill the subject matter requirement for Social Science.  

4. Coursework evaluation according to the Subject Matter Domains conducted by a CTC accredited educator preparation program. 

5. Through a combination of coursework and CSET exams that meets or exceeds the subject matter domains. 

FAQs

• Does SMC offer coursework evaluations according to the Subject Matter Domains to meet the subject matter requirements?

  • SMC does not provide this evaluation service at this time, but will consider evaluations conducted by another CTC accredited institution.

• Does SMC offer coursework evaluations combined with CSET exams that meets or exceeds the subject matter domains?

  • SMC does not provide this evaluation service at this time but will consider evaluations conducted by another CTC accredited institution.

Teaching credential candidates are required to demonstrate knowledge of the United States Constitution by completing a college level course, or a college level examination. The Constitution requirement can be met by one of the following:

1. Completion of a college-level course that covers the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution with a grade of C- or better. The course must be taken from a regionally accredited college or university and be at least two semester units or three quarter units.

2. Pass an examination on the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution offered by a regionally accredited college or university.

It is the student's responsibility to order an official transcript from the institution at which the Constitution course was taken or to provide an official exam result to the Credential Office before applying for the credential. Documentation can be submitted to the Credentials Office through the Credential Documents Form.

Coursework

Candidates who have completed a bachelor’s degree at Saint Mary’s College in Justice Community and Leadership (JCL), or a Bachelor’s degree from any of the Cal State University (CSU) campuses, have completed the U.S. Constitution requirement through their coursework. 

Previously completed college-level coursework is acceptable. Alternatively, candidates may complete coursework at Saint Mary’s College or a community college to fulfill the requirement. Courses that are taken online through a regionally accredited college or university are acceptable. 

Online Exam

Candidates may fulfill the Constitution requirement by passing one of the following online exams: 

• Notre Dame de Namur University: US Constitution Exam

• UCLA Extension: Online US Constitution Exam

• UCSD Extension: US Constitution Preparation Course and Examination

For more information about the U.S. Constitution requirement, please visit the CTC’s CC 11-01.

The CTC Credential Record requirement may be fulfilled by providing proof of holding any of the following valid CTC documents. Students may upload a screenshot of their CTC account showing their name, document number, and valid dates or receipts for any of these items to fulfill the CTC Credential Record requirement:

• CTC Certificate of Clearance 
• 30-Day Substitute Permit
• Children’s Center Permit
• Activity Supervisor Clearance Certificate
• Variable Term Waiver
• CTC Credential

Please watch the video provided at the bottom of the CTC's Online Application Information webpage to apply for the Certificate of Clearance. For locations that provide Live-Scan fingerprinting services, please visit the DOJ's Live Scans webpage, and select your county of residence. After completing your Live-Scan, email a copy of your Form 41-LS receipt to the CTC at fingerprints@ctc.ca.gov. 

For more informaiton, please visit CTC's Fingerprint Information webpage. 

The CTC requires CPR certification for candidates applying for the Preliminary Teaching Credentials. The training must include infant, child, and adult CPR skills that meet the standards established by the American Heart Association or Red Cross. Students may use a training of their choice as long as it adheres to these guidelines. 

CPR Certificates that cover Infant, Child, and Adult CPR, show the student’s name, valid dates, course title, training organization, and appropriate signatures will fulfill the requirement. Trainings completed in-person or online are acceptable. 

Students may use the Credential Documents Form to upload a copy of their official CPR certification to the Credentials Office. CPR trainings must cover infant, child, and adult CPR in order to meet requirements set by the CTC. The Credentials Office will reject documents if they are unable to verify coverage of all three areas as well as any document that contains ineligible text. CPR Certification must be valid at the time of application for a credential.

Unofficial SMC Transcripts showing completed program coursework will fulfill the Final SMC Transcript requirement. Unofficial transcripts may be retrieved from GaelXpress or the Registrar’s Office through the Unofficial Transcript Request form. 

Official results showing your name, dates, and passing scores for the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) will fulfill the RICA requirement. A PDF of your official results can be found in your CTC Educator Credentialing Assessments account. 

*RICA is only required for MSTE and SPED candidates.

*RICA may be deferred to the Clear Credential if testing was impacted by test center closures. This deferral expires on June 30, 2022. 

Official results showing your name, dates, and passing scores for the EdTPA will fulfill the EdTPA requirement. A PDF of your official results can be found in your CTC Educator Credentialing Assessments account.

*EdTPA is only required for MSTE and SSTE candidates. EdTPA will become a requirement for new SPED candidates starting Fall 2022. 

*EdTPA may be deferred to the Clear Credential if completion was impacted by school closures. This deferral expires on August 31, 2022.