Getting your california teaching license

Each year, thousands of new jobs are expected to open up for teachers at all levels. As these teachers exit the workforce, new teachers will be needed to fill the gap. To meet the needs of its students, California needs more teachers -both now and in the future. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing CTC sets the standards for teacher licensing and credentialing and offers several pathways to becoming a certified teacher.

You must also complete a teacher preparation program approved by the CTC. An approved program provides both educational curriculum and fieldwork. It can be a blended with an undergraduate teacher preparation program or a postbaccalaureate program. There are also a variety of other options for earning your teaching certification such as Teach for America, California Teacher Corps, Troops to Teachers, and intern programs that can help you start working in a classroom while you complete your teacher prep course.

More information on these programs is included below. Student teaching is a required component of CTC-approved teacher education programs. These are obligated to provide a minimum of hours of field experience within the duration of the program. However, the types of experiences offered and the length of time you spend in each classroom vary by program. You may participate in traditional student teaching , co-teaching, a teacher residency, or intern teaching to accrue hands-on classroom experience.

California requires specific certification exams for a Preliminary Credential. In addition, candidates must complete a class on the U.

Constitution or pass a Constitution test given by a regionally accredited college or university. After completing an approved program, the fastest and easiest way to apply for a California teaching credential is online.

After the recommendation is submitted, you have 90 days to complete the recommendation document. You must answer Professional Fitness Questions regarding your criminal and professional history that determine your competence for the requested credential. Your submission of an online payment completes your application. A paper application is necessary when the teacher certification is based on alternate preparation such as an out-of-state credential, or the request is for the addition of authorizations to existing certificates.

Original transcripts and documentation must accompany a paper application. You can do this by completing an approved teacher induction program and submitting your application through the program sponsor.

Another option is to become certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and submitting your application, photocopy of certification, and processing fee to the CTC. California has 3 different types of teaching credentials that authorize you to teach single subjects, multiple subjects, or special education students. Each of these credentials has slightly different requirements, although there are many similarities between them.

This credential helps qualify you to teach all subjects in a self-contained classroom. If you are currently working abroad, going back home is not really an option, and it would just open up your life to un-needed stress. Moreland University offers full American licensure in the states of Arizona and Washington DC, and it entitles you to all of the benefits of having a proper teaching license.

If you were to come back home and teach, changing your licensure to your home state or country is as simple as filing a bit of paperwork. Moreland University allows you to do your student teaching at your current school or another nearby institution, and they even offer Masters of Education degrees for teachers that are interested!

Login here If you remember your password. How do I get a teaching license? Teaching license program details How to get your teaching license U. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas.

Complete the coursework and classroom areas required. Online Credentials: Many states accept credentials from courses that were completed online or abroad, but the one-year probationary period has to be completed in-state in order to receive your permanent teaching license.

Canadian Teaching License Because Canada is home to many bilingual schools, some provinces require teachers to pass a French proficiency exam. You will not need a sponsor if you go this route.

The process is similar for the other teacher credential programs. However, you will take different tests. Legislators attempted to eliminate the CSET and other tests permanently, but the legislation did not pass. As of now, the state is not eliminating the CSET. If you are a licensed teacher in another state, you can transfer the certification to California. Submit form to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

This will verify your credentials. You also need to send your official transcripts and a copy of your teaching license. Finally, show proof of your fingerprint processing. It will take approximately 5. Some teaching programs will make it a mandatory part of their application.

Some states have specific coursework requirements and a few have unique requirements. For example, Alaska requires teachers to take two courses on Alaskan history and multicultural studies during the first two years of teaching.

California requires coursework and passing a test on the U. Be sure to know the requirements of your credential. Your teaching program will help you! When you get to this stage, reach out to a staff member of your teacher prep program to get all the details. The National Board Certification is considered the most advanced certification that a teacher can receive.

It's purely optional, but completing the rigorous and challenging certification process is a prestigious accomplishment and could lead to a higher salary, more professional opportunities and easier transfer between states. In some cases, when there is a reciprocity agreement between states, the process is relatively easy; in other cases, it can be more difficult.

If you are planning a move from one state to another, research the specific requirements that out-of-state certified teachers need to meet to get certified in the new state. A: The short answer is—not really. All public school teachers have some sort of license.

There are numerous ways, though, to earn a license, and that varies by state. For example, if you have a few years of teaching experience at a college or private school, you may be qualified for a license in some states without going through a teaching program.