Credential Student Resources

Information and resources to aid students with frequently-asked-about topics.

Credential Requirements

What Type of Credential Will I Need?

A Multiple Subject Teaching Credential is required to be an elementary school teacher in a public school setting.  This credential authorizes the teacher to teach all subjects to the same group of students in a self-contained classroom.  It may also authorize teaching in a middle school.
Multiple Subject Credential Program

A Single Subject Teaching Credential is required to be a junior high or high school teacher in a public school setting.  This credential authorizes the teacher to teach one subject to different groups of students in a departmentalized classroom in grades 12 and below.
Single Subject Credential Program

An Education Specialist Credential is required to teach students with disabilities (Special Education) in a public-school setting. Credential holders are authorized to teach children with disabilities in grades K-12 and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22.
Special Education Credential Program

A Pupil Personnel Service Credential is required to be a School Counselor in a public-school setting. This specialization in School Counseling authorizes the holder to provide school counseling and guidance in academic, career, personal, and social development within grades K-12.
Educational Counseling: School Counseling

An Administrative Service Credential is required to be an administrator in a public-school setting. There is a two-tier structure which authorizes the holder to perform services in grades preschool, K-12, and adults. 
Educational Administration

Do I Need a Bachelor's Degree?

The credential programs are graduate level programs. A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is required in order to be considered for program admission or to be recommended for a credential in California. Current CSUB undergraduates in an approved major may apply to a credential program for admission consideration without holding a bachelor's degree. For more information on these blended programs, visit Integrated Pathways.

Grade-point-average (GPA) Requirements

All credential candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA within their credential program. For program admission GPA requirements, please consult the credential program you are considering applying to:

If a candidate's GPA falls below the 3.0 requirement, they may be placed on academic probation which may affect a candidate's program standing.
Candidates should strive to maintain at least a "B" in all coursework. No course will be considered passed/completed if a grade of less than "C" or "No Credit" is achieved.

What Is Basic Skills Requirement?

The Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) is a state requirement for any applicant who wishes to obtain a permit or certificate to serve in a public school. This requirement is to verify that the applicant is proficient in basic skills such as reading comprehension, mathematics, and writing in English. This requirement must be attempted prior to credential program admission consideration and completed prior to being eligible to complete a credential program if granted admission. For more information on fulfilling this requirement, visit BSR.

What Is Subject Matter Competency?

In California, all teaching credential candidates must demonstrate their proficiency in subject matter of their intended credential. This requirement verifies a candidate's aptitude and knowledge of the subject matter content area and is a requirement for teaching credential program admission consideration. Please consult the teaching credential program you intend to apply to for the program's subject matter requirements:

For more information on meeting this important requirement, visit SMC. 

While a Teaching Credential Candidate may be considered for a teaching credential program admission without having established 100% subject matter competency, no Teaching Credential Candidate is eligible to complete their credential program without having met 100% subject matter competency.

What is RICA?

The Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) is designed to verify the knowledge and skills to provide effective reading instruction to children.  It is required to earn a California Preliminary Multiple Subject or Education Specialist Credential. There are three subtests to the RICA Exam. Subtests maybe taken individually or all together. Candidates are encouraged to take the RICA right after completing the reading instruction course of their teaching credential program. Passing scores must be used for certification purposes within ten years of the individual test date. For more information and to register, visit RICA.

The California Education Code §44340 & §44341 require that all individuals who seek to obtain California credentials, certificates, permits, and waivers issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing receive fingerprint clearance from the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Commission.  

CSUB accepts current valid permits issued by CTC as proof of  fingerprint clearance. Such a permit may be: Certificate of Clearance, Substitute/Emergency Teacher permit, Provisional Intern Permit (PIP), Short Term Staff Permit (STSP), or other permit as issued by CTC and appearing under your name on CTC's Educator Search page.

If you have questions relating to fingerprinting, visit CTC Fingerprint Information or CTC Fingerprint FAQ.

If you have an issue with your fingerprinting, please contact Fingerprints@ctc.ca.gov.

What is a Certificate of Clearance and how do I obtain one?

A Certificate of Clearance (COC) is a document issued by CTC to an individual who has successfully completed the fingerprint character and identification process and whose moral and professional fitness has been shown to meet the established law standards. A Certificate of Clearance is valid for five (5) years from the issuance date. For more information on Certificate of Clearance, visit CTC Certificate of Clearance (CL-900).

Obtaining a Certificate of Clearance is a 2-step process:

  1. Take CTC-specific Form 41-LS to a LiveScan operator and get fingerprinted. (If you have been fingerprinted within the last 18 months with an institution that submits fingerprints to CTC, you are not required to be re-fingerprinted, but you must complete Step 2 to obtain your certificate of clearance.)
     
  2. Apply for your certificate at CTC Educator Login:

Certificate of Clearance instructions for CSUB campuses and specific CSUB school partners: 

Tuberculosis (TB) clearance is documentation indicating freedom from active tuberculosis. Documentation must be within one year of applying and being accepted to CSUB, acceptable documents for establishing clearance: CSUB Tuberculosis Testing.  Students will need to submit their TB clearance to Student Health Services to clear immunization holds and with their credential program application.

TB assessment and/or testing must be completed by a qualified medical professional. The credential programs will not accept documentation that does not indicate testing type, testing date, clearance date, and credentials of medical professional. Qualified professionals can be your Dr.'s office, your employer's medical office i.e. a school nurse if you work for a school district, a community medical center, or CSUB Student Health Services.
List of available low cost testing centers:

In California, school personnel are mandated reporters for child abuse as school personnel play a key role in helping to identify and assist abused children. To assist you in knowing how to recognize and report suspected abuse, you are required to complete a mandated reporter training for school personnel. This must be completed on a yearly basis.

You will need to complete the General Training (if not previously completed), then the School Personnel Training. These trainings are free and offered from California Office of Child Abuse Prevention. Both trainings are available at  mandatedreporterca.com.

Please submit a copy of your certificate with your credential program application or as part of your clinical practice clearance documents if admitted to a credential program. If you work for a school district and have completed the district's mandated reporter training, you may submit a copy of your district's certificate of completion in lieu of the certificate from the Child Abuse Mandated Reporter website as long as it is valid and current.

What Is the U.S. Constitution Requirement?

Education Code section 44335 and Title 5 section 80415 requires that the applicant for a teaching credential has demonstrated knowledge in provisions and principles of the Constitution of the United States by completing a college level course or exam. This requirement must be met prior to being eligible to apply for an intern teaching credential or to apply for a preliminary teaching credential.

Options to meet the U.S. Constitution Requirement:

  • Graduation from a university within the California State University (CSU) system with a bachelor's degree.
  • Completion of a course on the provision and principles of the U.S. Constitution taken at a regionally accredited college with a grade of "C" or better.
  • Passage of an examination on the provision and principles of the U.S. Constitution taken at a regionally accredited college.

Please note: University of California (UC) or private colleges/universities may accept high school credit such as AP courses or exams as meeting the U.S. Constitution requirement for a bachelor's degree. This does not qualify as an acceptable course/exam for meeting the U.S. Constitution requirement for a teaching credential.

Approved Courses:
Most community colleges offer a course that meets the provisions and principals of the U.S. Constitution. Please contact, your Credential Program Admission Advisor prior to registration if you are uncertain about the validity of a course.
Admission Advisors:

Approved Exams:

See the US Constitution Requirement Flyer.

What Type of CPR Do I Need?

Candidates must provide verification of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training that meets the standard set by the American Red Cross and American Heart Association for Infant, Child, and Adult in order to be eligible to apply for their preliminary teaching credential. Verification can be provided by submitting a copy of your signed CPR card or certificate.

Approved Courses:

Other organizations may offer CPR training that is comparable to American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Please contact the credential office prior to attending the training for approval.

Approved CPR courses flyer

What Is an Intern and How to Become One?

For information on what is an intern and becoming an intern, visit Intern Credential Requirements.

How Do I Apply for My Preliminary Credential/Certificate?

Each credential program has specific requirements that successfully must successfully be completed for a Candidate to be eligible to apply for their preliminary credential or certificate of eligibility. Please consult Preliminary Credential Requirements.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities for teachers are expected to increase especially in high need areas like math, sciences, career technical education, bilingual education, and special education.  The following may be helpful in assisting you develop career opportunities:

Center for Community Engagement and Career Education

The CECE is located on Bakersfield campus and assists students with career planning, employment opportunities and other services.
CSUB students can create a self-managed placement file which is a tool to demonstrate your professionalism and preparedness for your career. Self-managed placement files are currently used through the CSU system and accepted by many school districts. To develop your file, create a Handshake account.

The following is recommended to be included in your file: resume, letters of recommendation, other documents: unofficial transcripts, BSR, SMC, certificate of clearance or other security clearance, copy of credential or intern ready letter (if applicable).

Edjoin.org

Edjoin is a comprehensive site for school districts to advertise their current employment opportunities. 

CSUB Social Media
Job openings from cooperating CSUB school partners are often posted to our social media accounts.

  • Bakersfield Campus: @csubted or @csubedsp or @csubedadmin
  • Antelope Valley Campus: @csubavted

Helpful Links

CTC Links

CSUB Links
Tuition, Fees, Aid
Credential Student Financial Information

Using myCSUB
Demonstration on how to use myCSUB (Student Interface)

Food/Housing/Medical
Food and Housing Security Information: Basic Needs, AV Campus Helpful Resources
Student Health Services: Bakersfield Campus, Antelope Valley Campus
TB testing sites: Bakersfield Sites, AV Sites

For Students with Disabilities
Services for Students with Disabilities
AV Campus Services for Students with Disabilities

Testing Prep
Free or Low-cost CBEST/CSET Preparation
RICA Prep

For Clinical Practice
How to purchase professional liability insurance

Credential Office Forms
Intern Teaching Credential Application
Preliminary Credential Applications
Credential Service Request
How to pay for the Credential Service fee

Grievance Policies
CSUB Student Complaint and Grievance Procedures
CSUB Graduate Programs Forms
Educator Preparation Programs Appeals Process