Teaching Levels & Credentials
Information Sessions & Counseling
The Center for Teacher Education offers counselor-led information sessions that provide an overview of the teaching profession, which includes information about the pathways to becoming a teacher, academic preparation, the CBEST and CSET exams, and credential requirements. Students may also meet with a Center for Teacher Education counselor to receive individual academic advisement and to obtain a comprehensive educational plan, which maps out their coursework in preparation to become a teacher. Contact the Center for Teacher Education to sign up for an information session or to make a counseling appointment.
Levels of Teaching
- Preschool Teachers/Child Care Workers
- Elementary School Teachers (K-6)
- Secondary School Teachers (Middle School/Jr. High School/High School)
- Special Education Teacher (K-12)
- College/University Faculty (Post-Secondary/Higher Education)
- Counselors (School Counseling/College Counseling)
- Adult Education
Types of Teaching Credentials
In California there are three basic teaching credentials issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). In addition to these credentials, the CCTC also issues Child Development permits for those interested in working with children up to 5 years of age.
These permits authorize service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a child care and development program. Individuals must have a permit to be eligible for child care and development teaching or administration positions funded by the California Department of Education - Child Development Division. For more information on the Child Development Permit, view the Preparing for a Career in Early Childhood Education / Teaching Pre-School and After-School Programs handout. For course information pertaining to the six levels of the Child Development Permit, listed below, view the Child Development Permit Matrix.
- Child Development Assistant Permit
- Child Development Associate Teacher Permit
- Child Development Teacher Permit
- Child Development Master Teacher Permit
- Child Development Site Supervisor Permit
- Child Development Program Director Permit
- Applying for California Teacher Permit
This credential authorizes a person to teach young children in grades PK through 3. For more information on the "PK-3 ECE Credential," view the Preparing to Teach PK-3 Early Childhood Education handout. Additional information and FAQ's can be found on the CalState PK-3 Early Childhood Education Instruction Specialist Credential webpage.
This credential authorizes a person to teach in a classroom where many different subjects are taught by a single individual, such as in elementary schools. For more information on Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials, view the Preparing to Teach Elementary School handout.
This credential authorizes a person to teach in a classroom where only one subject is taught, such as a classroom in departmentalized high schools and junior high schools. Single Subject Teaching Credentials are offered in California in areas listed below. For more information on Single Subject Teaching Credentials, view the Preparing to Teach Junior High and High School handout.
- Agriculture
- Art
- Business
- Dance
- English
- English Language Development
- Foundational-Level General Science
- Foundational-Level Mathematics
- Health Science
- Home Economics
- Industrial and Technology Education
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physical Education
- Science: Biological Sciences
- Science: Chemistry
- Science: Geosciences
- Science: Physics
- Social Science
- Theater
- World Languages: English Language Development
- World Languages: Languages other than English
This credential authorizes a person to work with children with special needs. The person holding this credential may work with elementary, junior high, or high school students. Specialty areas are listed below. For more information on Education Specialist Credentials, view the Preparing to Teach Special Education handout.
- Mild to Moderate Support Needs
- Extensive Support Needs
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Visual Impairments
Roadmap to Teaching
There have never been more opportunities than there are now to become an educator
in
California. To make this process as easy as possible, you can find links to everything
you need
to know about becoming an educator on this page. Take a look to see how to get started
on
your road to a career in education! Visit CA Roadmap to Teaching.