Requirements for in-state Italian teachers overview

• Candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in order to satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement. If a candidate does not have a bachelor’s degree, they can satisfy the basic education skills requirement by taking the CBEST standardized test.

• Candidate must complete a CTC-approved Single Subject (high school) Teacher Preparation Program (which includes 600 hours of student teaching*). For a list of approved programs visit the CTC website here.

• In addition to the general teacher preparation program, candidates must establish Subject-Matter Competence in the area they wish to teach. For Italian, candidates must pass the relevant Italian CSET: World Languages subtests offered in three parts. The first two parts (Culture, History and Pedagogy) are administered by CTC and are offered in windows for four weeks by appointment only three times a year. For more information and to make an appointment click here. The third subtest (Speaking and Writing) is administered only twice a year by an Italian Assessor Agency for the CTC, Fondazione Italia. For more information and to register for the subtest click here. ALL three subtests must be passed in order establish subject-matter competence in Italian. Once the CSET in Italian is passed it is valid for seven years.

• Additional Requirements include completing a course in Developing English Language Skills (SDAIE), pass a background check/fingerprint clearance via Live Scan, and fulfill the U.S. Constitution requirement.

Once a candidate has completed the above requirements, they receive a Preliminary credential. Once a teacher starts working as a teacher they must upgrade to a Cleared credential which requires a two-year induction program offered by the district that is employing them.

*Please note that candidates interested in exclusively obtaining a single-subject credential in Italian must choose a teaching preparation program that has a partnership with a high school in the area that teaches Italian. To earn a Single Subject credential in California, you are required by law to complete 600 hours of clinical fieldwork and student teaching. The state dictates that this student teaching must take place in a "departmentalized" classroom specifically teaching the subject listed on your target credential. If you are exclusively pursuing an Italian credential, you cannot fulfill your student teaching hours by teaching a Spanish or French class. If a university on the approved CTC list does not have a formal partnership or a geographic proximity to a high school that actually operates an active Italian program, they cannot legally place you in a student teaching assignment. Without that placement, you cannot graduate or be recommended for the credential.

Requirements for out-of-state Italian teachers overview

California has several pathways for teachers that have been credentialed in other states to teach in California. Find out about the different pathways here. The first step will be to apply to transfer your credential from another state to California here. Once your documents are reviewed, CTC will let you know of any additional requirements that may need to be satisfied in order to transfer your credential to California.

Out-of-State credentialing FAQ’s.

In order for internationally prepared teachers to apply for a California teacher credential they need to meet the following basic requirements before they can submit their application for review:

• Establish candidate has U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, employment authorization document (EAD), a visa that permits employment in the U.S. or a J-1 or H-1B visa through the school district (please note, candidates can receive a credential if not authorized to work but cannot be hired unless have a valid visa or work authorization status).

• Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. To have degree obtained in another country evaluated for U.S. equivalency, candidates must use CTC-approved agencies to complete the transcript review and final evaluation for equivalency. To find approved agencies click here.

• Be able to demonstrate documented completion of a teacher preparation program and supervised student teaching in foreign countries.

• See CTC’s roadmap for teachers trained outside country.

If the above requirements can be satisfied, a foreign prepared teacher can then choose what type of credential they are seeking and apply for it. There are three credentials offered by the CTC:

• Multiple Subject (Elementary)

• Single Subject (Middle/High School)

• Education Specialist (Special Education)

To apply for one of the above credentials, click here.

If the application is successful, candidates will also be required to meet California-specific requirements for a credential which includes:

• U.S. Constitution requirement

• English Learner Authorization (a test affirming ability in English)

• Additional coursework or exams (if needed)

• Fingerprinting/background check

For many experienced international teachers, the biggest first hurdle is obtaining the course-by-course transcript evaluation and documenting their student teaching experience, since those are the items, California uses to determine credential eligibility.

Requirements for private school teachers seeking a credential to teach in public school is the same as what is needed for an in-state teacher with the main difference being that the 600 supervised student training hours can be satisfied with 3-5 years in classroom private school teaching experience in the target subject area for the credential being sought.

For more information and to apply for CTC review, click here.

A California Intern Credential is a temporary license that allows aspiring teachers to work as the paid "teacher of record" while completing their formal credential coursework. Valid for two to three years, it is designed for candidates who want to earn a salary and gain on-the-job experience immediately. Instead of the traditional route, which requires unpaid student teaching before taking a job, the intern route flips the process. You get hired as a full-time Italian teacher and learn on the job while simultaneously completing required teacher preparation program through a CTC-approved university or district-sponsored program.

To qualify for an intern credential the following requirements need to be meet:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or pass CBEST to demonstrate basic skills competency (reading, writing, and math)

• Demonstrate subject matter competence (usually via CSET, approved coursework, or a subject matter program)

• Be accepted into a CTC-approved teacher preparation program

• Be hired by a school district as a teacher of record

• Complete at least 120 hours of pre-service training.

Part of the intern credentialing program requires support during the internship by receiving ongoing mentoring and supervision from a university advisor and a school-based mentor while teaching. After completing the intern program and required assessments, candidates earn a Preliminary Credential and must then complete an induction program to obtain a Clear Credential.

For more information and to apply, click here.

If you are already credentialed in another subject, you can pursue a Dual-Language or Dual-Subject Credential. Most candidates choose to couple Italian with a highly active language like Spanish or another subject area. Holding a dual authorization allows you to fulfill your student teaching hours in a standard Spanish or other subject area classroom while then adding-on an Italian credential through simply taking the Italian CSET to establish core subject competency.

Candidates interested in exclusively obtaining a single-subject credential in Italian must choose a teaching preparation program that has a partnership with a high school in their area that teaches Italian. California requires by law that credentialing candidates complete 600 hours of clinical fieldwork and student teaching. The state dictates that this student teaching must take place in a "departmentalized" classroom specifically teaching the subject listed on your target credential. If you are exclusively pursuing an Italian credential, you cannot fulfill your student teaching hours by teaching a Spanish or French class. If a university on the approved CTC list for a World Language credential does not have a formal partnership or a geographic proximity to a high school that actually operates an active Italian program, they cannot legally place you in a student teaching assignment. Without that placement, you cannot graduate or be recommended for the credential.

Schools in California that currently offer Italian under their World Language credential are:

Cal State University Long Beach
Cal State University East Bay

The Italian CSET serves to establish core competency in Italian for a single-subject credential in California. Candidates must register for and pass three separate subtests: 1) Italian Cultural Sub Test I & II (General Linguistics, Literature, History, Geography and Culture), and 2) Italian Language Sub Test III (Oral and written competency).

The Italian CSET Sub Test I & II are administered at the same time by the California Commission for Teaching Credentials (CTC). For more information on this portion of the Italian CSET including test dates and test overview please visit the CTC website. Register for an appointment here.

The Italian CSET Sub Test III is administered by Fondazione Italia on behalf of the CTC. This in-person exam is held only twice a year. Once in Southern California and once in Northern California. For test dates and exam overview, information and registration click here.

Candidates must pass Sub Tests I, II, & III to pass the Italian CSET.

Important! Please note that passing both parts of the Italian CSET does not provide you with a single-subject credential unless you already hold a credential in another subject. It is the responsibility of the candidate to make sure they have completed a single-subject credentialing program.

To find out about available Italian teaching jobs in California there are a few digital job boards available for you to explore. Please note that to access the AATI and ACTFL job boards you must be a member.

EdJoin
AATI
ACTFL
Fondazione Italia

Indeed