Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements for the Education Specialist Preliminary Credential:

1. Possess a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.

2. One of the following requirements must be satisfied:

   1. 1. • Provide verification of subject-matter competence by passing the appropriate subject matter examination(s) as specified in Verifying Subject-Matter Competence by Examination (Multiple Subject) leaflet CL-674M or the (Single Subject) leaflet CL-674S.

         • Complete a Commission-approved subject-matter program of coursework or its equivalent and obtain certification of completion from the authorized person in the education department of a California college or university with an approved subject-matter program. 

         • Successful completion of applicable coursework verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation. Coursework must be completed at a regionally-accredited college or university and addresses each of the domains of the applicable subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission.

         • Complete a degree major from a regionally-accredited college or university in one of the statutory subjects available for a Single Subject Credential or in liberal studies.

         • Successful completion through a combination of coursework and examination options that meet or exceed the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission. Such mixing of options may only be done by candidates enrolled in a Commission-approved preparation program.

3. Pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment. (RICA)

4. Complete a course (two semester units or three quarter units) in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution or pass an examination given by a regionally-accredited college or university.

5. Complete a Commission-approved Education Specialist Credential program in an education specialist specialty area resulting in formal recommendation by the Commission-approved program sponsor through which requirements are completed. Contact the institution for specific program requirements.

   1. 1. • Developing English Language Skills, including Reading, by completing comprehensive reading instruction that includes the following: the systematic study of phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding; literature, language and comprehension; and diagnostic and early intervention techniques.

         • Instruction in foundational and advanced computer technology that includes general and specialized skills in the use of computers and technology in educational settings.

         • Instruction in Health Education, including, but not limited to, nutrition; the physiological and sociological effects of alcohol, narcotics, and drug abuse; the use of tobacco; and provide verification of training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that covers infant, child, and adult CPR skills that meets the standards established by the American Heart Association or Red Cross.

         • Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) for Mild to Moderate and Extensive Support Needs candidates.

           1. TPA Cycle 1: Learning about students with IEPs and planning instruction

           2. TPA Cycle 2: Assessment-Driven Instruction for Students with IEPs

6. Obtain a formal recommendation for the credential by the program sponsor.

PK - 3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Handbook

Education Specialist (2024, Includes new literacy standard and TPEs)

Education Specialist (Adopted 2018)

Literacy Standard and Teaching Performance Expectations

• Adopted October 2022

• Adopted February 2023 - Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH), Visual Impairments (VI), and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Credentials

AUT - Autism

DB - Deaf-Blindness

DEAF - Deafness

HI - Hearing Impairment

ED - Emotional Disturbance

ID - Intellectual Disabilities

MD - Multiple Disabilities

OI - Orthopedic Impairment

OHI - Other Health Impairment

SLD - Specific Learning Disability

TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury

VI - Visual Impairment