Become a Teacher - Credentialing

Due to the teacher shortage, and the resulting creativity shown by the California Commission on Teacher Credentials (CCTC) in partnership with universities and school districts, there are several ways that one can become a teacher today. Here, in hierarchical order, are the options available to new teachers, and the credential or permit that each option would earn them:

The traditional fifth-year Teacher Education Program, in which a candidate attends university classes while student teaching at a local school, results in a Preliminary Single Subject, Multiple Subject or Special Education Credential. The Professional Clear Credential comes after the teacher has completed certain requirements within the next five years. 

 In a Teaching Internship Program, you simultaneously teach while are in school earning your teaching credential.  

After your internship, you earn a Preliminary credential in the subject you are teaching.  Internships are usually between 1 -3 years.

The resident teacher participates in a year long student teaching, non paid, experience with a mentor teacher.  Residents receive $10,000 of tuition assistance and a $25,000 stipend in exchange for at least four years of teaching commitment in WCCUSD.

WCCUSD is seeking Residents for two cohorts for the 2024-25 school year:

Individuals committed to teaching students from diverse social, cultural,
linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds
Individuals from underrepresented groups in the teaching profession
Individuals with a "growth mindset” that all students can learn and a sense of responsibility for student learning

Visit our Teacher Residency Program webpage for more information.

Both the STSP and PIP are valid for a maximum of one year, and each can only be used once in a lifetime. The two documents are nearly identical; however, the PIP is for individuals without Subject Matter Competency, whereas the STSP cannot be used for an individual who has completed this requirement. Typically these documents are used as a stopgap measure while the holder satisfies the admission requirements for a credential program.

A permit issued at the request of an employing school district, to fill a temporary staffing vacancy or need. They are issued for a minimum of six months, but not more than one year. Employing agencies are required to have a current Declaration of Need on file with the Commission before permits of this type may be issued. Individuals must complete a baccalaureate degree, CBEST, and a minimum number of units or verify subject matter competence to qualify for the permit. Employers must provide orientation, guidance and assistance to holders of emergency permits.

There are a variety of credentials and permits for teaching in the State of California. This is a summary of the major types of credentials, their requirements and their expiration times. The cost for all California permits or credentials is $111.00 for initial applications and $55.00 for renewals. Payment details will be provided by the Personnel Office during the hiring process.

This permit is issued to a person who has a B.A. degree and has passed the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). It allows one to teach for 30 days (six weeks) in an assignment. Generally it is used for day-to-day substituting. This permit is issued for one year and may be renewed yearly as long as the person wishes to continue unless some action is taken against the person by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).

This credential is issued to someone who has a B.A. degree, has passed CBEST, and has taken classes that demonstrate minimum competency in the subject matter being taught. The Emergency Permit allows one to teach in an assignment for one school year or for the time indicated on the permit. The Emergency Permit is usually issued for one year and can be renewed if the person enrolls in a teacher credentialing program and earns at least six semester units during the school year. Written proof of these requirements from the college or university is required by the CCTC for renewal on Form CL469 with appropriate certification by the institution.

This permit is issued to someone who qualifies for an Emergency Permit and wants to pass the subject matter competency exam (MSAT for multiple subjects or PRAXIS or SSAT for single subjects) necessary for the Intern Program. It requires that the participant attend designated workshops in order to prepare to take the exam, and to actually take the exam.

This credential is issued to someone who is enrolled in a college or university with a teacher intern program. The majority of interns in this district come from thedistrict's partnership with California State University, Hayward (CSUH), but we also have interns employed from Holy Names, St. Mary's, and the University of San Francisco. The intern credential requires a B.A. degree, passing CBEST, subject matter competency (not minimum competency) which in most cases means passing the MSAT or the PRAXIS Single Subject Competency, U.S. Government, Math for Teachers for multiple subject candidates and other requirements of the college or university. The Intern Credential is issued for a two-year period. Normally these credentials are not renewed because the person has completed his or her Preliminary Multiple Subject or Single Subject Credential by the end of two years.

This credential is issued to someone from out of state or out of the country who holds a teaching credential from his or her state or country. The person is then given one year to pass the CBEST while beginning work in a classroom. Proof of the non-California credential and transcripts must be submitted to the CCTC. In the case of applicants coming to us from outside of the country, transcripts will have to be verified by one of the agencies approved by the CCTC for translating language and credits for California standards. Usually these credentials are issued for one year and are not renewable. This does allow one to teach in a classroom during that year. Normally the person would apply for a Credential or may qualify for an Emergency Permit to renew for the following school year. We advise someone who holds this credential to go immediately to a college or university with a credential program to meet with an advisor to ascertain what requirements he or she needs to obtain a Preliminary Credential. The OYNR Credential was eliminated in October 2000 but it is still valid for the remainder of the school year for those who hold this credential.

This credential is issued to a person who has completed his or her credential program with an accredited college, university or district program. The Personnel Services office will accept a letter from a college or university stating that the candidate meets the requirements and that an application has been sent to the CCTC. This credential is usually issued for five years and allows the teacher to acquire a probationary contract unless he or she is filling a one year only assignment. In the case of Multiple Subject or Special Education Preliminary Credentials, we will issue a probationary contract even if the assignment is for only one year. Please note: in some cases, Preliminary Credentials are issued to fully credentialed teachers from out of state if they have passed CBEST and only need a few courses to complete their Clear Credential. In those cases, the Preliminary Credential is usually issued for only two years. Probationary contracts for these credentials are subject to review.

This credential is issued to someone who has acquired his or her Preliminary Credential and has completed other requirements stated on that credential. This credential allows a person to teach for five years before other requirements must be met. However, new teachers with Professional Clear Credentials are normally issued probationary contracts unless they are teaching in an one-year assignment. Again teachers with Professional Clear Multiple Subject Credentials or Special Education Credentials are issued probationary contracts even if they are assigned to a one-year only assignment. Renewal of the Professional Clear Multiple Subject Credential requires the completion of 150 hours of university classes or approved workshops, conferences, projects etc. every five years. Under current regulations of the CCTC, these renewals are required until the teacher retires or leaves the system.

The a bove information is subject to changes in California State Law or in the regulations of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Note: Carefully read the front and back of your credential for important information about the type of credential you have, renewal requirements, and expiration. You are responsible for meeting renewal requirements six months prior to expiration.

For more information seeCalifornia Commission on Teacher Credentialing website.

All foreign transcripts (even those in English) must be officially evaluated before the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing will consider them for teaching authorization. For more information about this procedure:

• California Commission on Teacher Credentialing - Explanation of Foreign Transcript Evaluation
  1900 Capitol Avenue
  Sacramento, CA 95811
  Telephone: (888) 921-2682
  Fax: (916) 327-3166

• Educational Records Evaluation Service
  601 University Avenue, Suite 127, Sacramento, CA 95825 
  Telephone: (916) 921-0790
  Fax: (916) 921-0793
• Institute for International Credentials Evaluations at California State University, Fresno
  5150 North Maple Avenue, Room 211, Fresno, CA 93740-0056 
  Telephone: (559) 278-7622 
  Fax: (559) 278-7879
• International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
  Credential Evaluation Service 
  P. O. Box 3665, 
  Culver City, CA 90231 
  Telephone: (310) 258-9451
• World Education Services 
  P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113-0745
• American Education Research Corporation 
  P.O. Box 996, West Covina, CA 91793-0996 
  Telephone: (626) 339-4404 Fax: (626) 339-9081