The Department of Catholic Schools offers the Basic California Catechist Certification process to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills to meet the faith formation needs of the children in their care. The five-phase process, available for all Catholic elementary school principals and teachers in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, follows the criteria established by the Bishops of California to promote and standardize the competence of catechetical programs. 

Catechetical Certification for Elementary Schools is required of all faculty and administrators serving in Catholic Elementary Schools (Diocesan, Private, and Parish) within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (ADLA). The certification process equips teachers with the knowledge and skills to meet the faith formation needs of the youth in their care and meet the requirements for certification for the ADLA. Certification must be completed within 3 years from the date of hire date. The five phases process for California Basic Catechetical Certification includes:

• Orientation Phase 

• Theology Phase

• Specialization Phase 

• Spiritual Development  (4 hours per year)

• Practicum (Observation and Evaluation- after first year of teaching)

Upon completion of all phases, participants will earn a California Basic Catechetical Certification and must be renewed every 4 years to remain valid. 

This option offer a one-stop shop approach for all catechetical formation needs of Catholic school teachers and administrators.  A prescribed catechetical formation program encompassing all the phases (Orientation, Theology, Specialization/Renewal, Spiritual Development) outlined below (minus the practicum phase) has been developed offering teachers and catechists in Los Angeles Catholic Schools the ability to compete the basic certification process in 2 years or less dependent upon the pacing established by the learner.  This opportunity is made possible at no cost to schools and learners through the generous support of the Dan Murphy Foundation.  To begin this option, please visit the Franciscan at Home website for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to create your Franciscan at Home account.  

The theology phase provides an in depth knowledge of Catholic theology as related to core teachings of the Roman Catholic church. The course of studies is consistent with the guidelines found in the following documents:  General Directory for Catechesis, Directory for Catechesis, Catechism of the Catholic Church, United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, Co-Workers in the Vineyard and Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us.

This phase is meant to equip the catechist with tools and resources for specialized areas pertinent to catechetical ministry either by age, grade, subject specific, or other related areas.  Skills and training may also focus on areas such as RCIA, Scripture study, Restorative Justice, specific cultural groups, life-long faith formation as well as catechetical areas such as: whole community catechesis, adult catechesis, the elderly, young adults, adolescent catechesis, comprehensive youth ministry, family catechesis, elementary, early childhood, and catechesis for those with special needs. 

Ongoing spiritual formation is a vital aspect of any person serving in ministry and is completed each year to promote and strengthen the fundamental conversion that places God at the center of one’s life. This phase is intended to nourish the faith journey of the catechist through spiritual encounters with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Master Teacher . 

The Basic California Catechist Certification expires four (4) years after the date of issue. After the teacher has obtained the Basic California Catechist Certificate, the catechist moves into yearly faith formation and the Basic California Catechist Certificate Renewal Process. This process keeps the certification current for the teacher.

• To renew the certificate within the four-year term, 10 hours must be completed annually for a total of forty (40) hours, to be submitted before the certificate’s expiration date. 

  • • The renewal phase may consist of a combination of theology and/or specialization but must include (4) hours of Spiritual Development annually.

    • The catechist must demonstrate on-going catechetical formation in alignment with the Annual Cycle of Faith Formation for Catholic Schools

The completed Renewal Verification Form and a copy of the original Basic California Catechist Certificate is submitted to the Department of Catholic Schools every four years for a Basic Catechist Certificate Renewal Certificate. 

This phase is one classroom observation/evaluation of the candidate’s performance by the religion department chair, a certified Master Catechist or the school's priest chaplain. Contact dcscatecheticalcertification@la-archdiocese.org to be connected with a certified Master Catechist for this phase if needed.   

• Candidate must have taught for one year at the school site before the observation and evaluation is completed.

• The Practicum Phase – Observation & Evaluation Form must be used and may either be printed and written on directly or completed electronically and uploaded to the Catechetical Documentation Upload Form Portal upon completion of all phases.

1. Complete and submit DCS Catechetical Certification Teacher Profile and Application form

2. Complete all phases of the certification or renewal process. 

3. Submit:

   1. • For Basic Certification: Basic California Catechist Verification Form and any applicable supporting documentation (certificates, etc…) at the conclusion of all phases.

      • For Certification Renewal: Basic California Catechist Renewal Verification Form and any applicable supporting documentation (certificates, etc…) at the conclusion of all phases.

      • Submit the completed verification forms and supporting documentation to Catechetical Documentation Upload Form Portal

      • Provide copies of all submitted documents to your school principal for your file.

4. Request Basic Catechetical Certificate or Renewal Certificate via email at dcscatecheticalcertification@la-archdiocese.org  

5. Certificates will be emailed to the applicant upon review and approval of all documentation 

Completed forms can be uploaded to the: 

Catechetical Documentation Upload Form Portal