Seeing an exceptional teacher in the classroom is like watching a real-life superhero in action. The exceptional teacher successfully prepares lessons, is attentive to student needs, crafts the classroom culture, and inspires each young person to be the best learner he or she can be.
No teacher immediately starts out as a superhero. Every excellent teacher has gone through a valuable training and credentialing process and spent many hours in the classroom as a student teacher before embarking on their teaching career.
If you're considering starting a career in education and you’re wondering how to become a teacher in California, this blog will help you better understand the California teaching credential requirements.
In California specifically, there are five steps required to become a credentialed teacher and begin making a life-changing impact in the classroom.
What Do You Need to Become a Teacher in California?
In order to become a teacher in California, most schools require you to obtain a teaching credential. The pathways and requirements vary slightly depending on the age group and subject(s) you’re interested in teaching, but the five baseline requirements to becoming a teacher are:
1. Get a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Completing your degree shows your commitment to your own learning and provides broad experiences that can enhance your teaching as well. The degree does not have to be from a California school, it simply has to be accredited.
Do you need to major in education to become a teacher? This is a common question, and the answer is absolutely not. The purpose of teacher preparation programs and the state-required credentialing process is to prepare you to teach. USD SOLES offers a preliminary credential only track for future educators looking to make the transition to the classroom who may not have a bachelor's degree in education. You can learn more about our credential options here.
2. Successfully complete an accredited teacher preparation program.
The teacher preparation program is where you actually learn to be that heroic, engaged teacher that students dream of having, so it’s important to choose one that is the best fit for you. Programs involve both coursework (educational theory) and fieldwork (in-classroom practice).z
Check to see the approved teacher preparation programs here.
3. Get a Passing Score on the CBEST.
CBEST is the California Basic Educational Skills Test. It tests for fundamental abilities in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. Some teacher preparation programs require you to pass the CBEST before entering the program, while others allow you to take it as part of the program and before you begin student teaching.
The test can be taken all at once or by individual section and by paper test or computer. There are available options for out-of-state test-takers too.
The California Teaching Commission (CTC) does their best to help you understand what’s included on the CBEST and prepare for it. Their website has more details about the CBEST and practice materials to prepare for it.
4. Get a Passing Score on the CSET and TPA.
CSET is the California Subject Examinations for Teachers. Each school subject has its own exam to assess if you have sufficient knowledge and understanding to teach that specific area. The exams you take will depend on if you plan to teach a single subject or multiple subjects (which is common for elementary educators).
Similar to the CBEST, the subject exam must be passed prior to student teaching according to California state law. Review the different subject exams here (click on “CSET” for the list to drop down).
Additionally, TPA is the Teaching Performance Assessment. Unlike the other tests described, the TPA actually assesses your teaching performance, including pedagogy, designing and implementing instruction, and more. The type of TPA model used depends on your teacher preparation program (at USD, we use the CalTPA model).
5. Submit a full application to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Once you’ve passed the assessments and completed your teacher preparation program, your final step is submitting a formal application. This involves an official from your program submitting a recommendation and you providing the supporting documentation to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Applicants receive an email notification when their program sponsor’s recommendation is submitted and will be able to complete and pay for the application immediately. This must be done within 90 days of that notification for a valid application. The Commission’s website has more details about this final step of credentialing.
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Becoming a Teacher in California Can Be Simple with the Right Support System
When you follow these five steps, you can achieve your dream of finding a meaningful, rewarding career as a teacher in California. Take it one step at a time, and remember that the best teachers have support systems to help them along the way.
One of those support systems could simply be more information. Here at USD, we are guiding many students through the teacher credentialing process at our School of Leadership and Education Sciences. We’ve prepared a complete resource to help you think through the decision to pursue a teaching career.
In our guide, How to Become a Teacher: Your Guide to Getting a Teaching Credential, you’ll get:
- Advice about choosing the right teacher preparation program for your needs
- Insight into why teaching is a strong career choice
- Questions to ask yourself as you consider teaching as a career
- Practical information about the process of becoming a teacher in California
Here at the University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES), we are committed to supporting and empowering the next generation of America’s best teachers. To learn more about our teacher preparation program and the credentialing options available here at SOLES, schedule a call to speak with a member of the Admissions team today!
Interested in becoming a teacher in California? Download our complete resource today!
