The California Education code requires that all teaching credential candidates to demonstrate subject matter competency in their intended credential. Recent action by the Governor and the Legislature on AB 130 (Chapter 44, Statutes of 2021) has expanded the ways in which candidates may demonstrate subject matter proficiency.
Options to Meet Subject Matter Competency
1) Completion of a subject matter program approved by the commission.
2) Passage of a subject matter examination (the California Subject Examination for Teachers or CSET).
3) Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the commission in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282, as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation.
4) Successful completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with the following, as applicable:
- For single subject credentials, a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates.
- 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. See PSA 21-10
5) Through a combination of the methods described in clauses (1), (2), and (3) in whole or in part, has met or exceeded each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the commission in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282 for multiple and single subject credentials, or pursuant to Section 44265 for education specialist credentials.