Teacher Credentialing Requirements

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Requirements

The teacher preparation programs at Dominican University are approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to prepare candidates for teaching responsibilities in general and special classrooms in elementary, middle and high schools. Candidates participate in a program that combines academic preparation (coursework) with extensive experience in schools (fieldwork). 

In California, the Learning to Teach System is a multi-step, multi-year process as shown in the following graphic. As you begin your pre-service (or preliminary preparation) program at Dominican, you are entering the first phase of this process. Each of the three steps is designed to advance your development as you become a professional teacher. The completion of each step is associated with a particular type of credential: a preliminary credential, a clear credential, or a renewed credential. 

Preliminary Credential Requirements

1. Bachelor's Degree

2. Certificate of Clearance

3. Tuberculosis (TB) Screening*/Questionnaire

4. Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST Exam, SAT/ACT, or EC 1000, EC 2000, and MATH 1450 (or other college math course) with a B- or better )

5. Child and Adolescent Development

6. Subject Matter Competency

7. US Constitution (American Institutions Requirement)

8. CPR

9. California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA)

10. Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA) [Multiple Subject/Education Specialist Only]

11. Official Transcripts

Demonstrating Subject Matter Knowledge

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires two general kinds of knowledge and skills from its teachers:

• Knowing how to teach, which you demonstrate by completing an approved teacher education program such as Dominican’s; and

• Knowing the subject matter, which you demonstrate either through academic coursework or through examination. The standards for subject matter knowledge are established by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing through expert panels composed of teachers, administrators, teacher educators, and university subject specialists. 

Subject Matter Competency is met by receiving passing scores on the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) or through the completion of a Commission-approved Subject Matter Preparation Program in the subject area for which they are seeking a credential (i.e., Subject Matter Waiver), such as Dominican's Education Studies Bachelor's Degree Program.

Graduate candidates without a Subject Matter Waiver are required to take all sections of the CSET by the end of the 1st semester in their credential program (or 2nd semester for part-time students). The majority of the sub-tests must be passed prior to Student Teaching or an Internship. Candidates should request that their scores be released directly to Dominican.  Alternatively, scores must be verified through http://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/ by a Dominican staff or faculty. 

All test scores must be verified through http://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/ by the Department.

Preliminary Credential Recommendation

No one other than employees of Dominican University of California will submit credential recommendations. Our current Credential Analyst is responsible for all credential recommendations to the Commission. Any individual requiring a recommendation will always receive this from a current employee of Dominican University of California, according to the following guidelines: 

After you have successfully completed all credential requirements including Supervised Teaching and coursework:

• The Credential Analyst submits the preliminary credential recommendation online.

• The candidate receives an email from the CTC with time-sensitive directions to complete the Recommendation online (answer the Professional Fitness Questions and pay the Credentialing Fee). If the candidate does not follow through with this step and submit a credit card payment for the fees within 90 days, the Recommendation is purged from the system by the CTC.

• Approximately 10 business days after the CTC website information and the fee payment is complete, the credential will be available to employers through an online search.

  • The CTC no longer prints or mails these credential documents. Credentials, certificate, and permits are only available online, where they can be viewed by colleges, universities, employers and the document holder at:  www.ctc.ca.gov