General Credential Information

Prospective students and current credential holders may use the menu of options below to navigate around this page for general credential information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) [pdf]

Credential Requirements

• Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)
• Bilingual Authorization
• Certificate of Clearance
• CPR Requirement (Adult-Child-Infant) 
• Foreign Transcript Evaluation
• Subject Matter Competence (SMC)
• U.S. Constitution Requirement

Credential Holders

• Adding Authorizations To An Existing Credential
• Emergency Permit Renewal (CL469 Form)
• Verification of Teacher Certification for Employment Outside of California

Resources

• Credential Programs
• Financial Aid & Scholarships
• LCOE Student Success Center
• SJSU Transcript Request
• Test Preparation Resources for CBEST, CSET, and RICA

Basic Skills Requirement

On June 29, 2024, Governor Newsom signed a budget trailer bill, SB 153 (Chap. 38, Statutes of 2024), that allow candidates to use their bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education as demonstration of the basic skills requirement, effective immediately.

• What does regional accreditation mean?
  • The Commission can only accept course work and degrees completed at regionally accredited institutions through one of the accrediting bodies listed here. Degrees and course work must have been completed while the institution was regionally accredited in order for the Commission to consider them for credentialing purposes. 
• Check your Institution's Accreditation
  • Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP).
• Foreign Degrees
  • Course work and degrees completed outside of the United States must be evaluated by a Commission-approved foreign transcript evaluation agency before it may be used for credentialing purposes. For information see Foreign Transcript Evaluation.
• Alternate Options for Meeting the BSR

  • If your degree does not meet the CTC criteria, there are alternate ways for meeting the Basic Skills Requirement. Complete the BSR Verification Form and submit it to credentials@sjsu.edu to initiate an evaluation.

    - BSR Verification Form [pdf]
    - BSR FAQ [pdf]

If you are unsure whether your degree meets the BSR requirement, you may contact Credential Services for guidance at credentials@sjsu.edu.

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Bilingual Authorization

We offer bilingual authorizations in Mandarin and Spanish through the Critical Bilingual Authorization Program. Students enrolled in the bilingual authorization option must meet the Language Proficiency Requirement which must be verified by Credential Services.

There are three options for meeting this requirement:

• Pass the CSET LOTE exam (subtest 3); or 
• Bachelor's or higher degree in the language you are seeking; or
• Foreign degree from a country where the language you are seeking is spoken. This options requires a transcript evaluation through a CTC approved agency to determine U.S equivalency. For information, see Foreign Transcript Evaluation.

You may contact credentials@sjsu.edu to have your transcripts verified.

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Certificate of Clearance

The Certificate of Clearance is a document issued by the Commission to an individual who has completed the Commission's fingerprint character and identification process and whose moral and professional fitness has been shown to meet the standards as established by law. Certificates of Clearance issued on or after February 28, 2005 are valid for five years.

The Certificate of Clearance is a two-part process that requires fingerprinting and an online application submission to CTC. 

Individuals who hold a valid/current (not expired) CTC permit or credential that required fingerprinting may submit this document in lieu of the the Certificate of Clearance. You may contact Credential Services at credentials@sjsu.edu if you are unsure whether your document is valid.

• Certificate of Clearance Process

  • STEP 1: Make an appointment for Livescan Fingerprinting service with the SJSU University Police Department. Alternatively, you may go to any agency to complete the Livescan service. Before you go to your Livescan appointment, complete CTCs 41-LS form and bring it with you to your Livescan appointment.

    STEP 2: Complete the online application for the Certificate of Clearance through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) website.  Immediately following the successful submission of the online application, you will receive a confirmation email with a confirmation number and a link to track your application.

• Processing Time
  • It may take up to 10 business days for CTC to process and grant your Certificate of Clearance. An email will be sent informing the individual that the document has been granted and can be viewed in 48 hours on the CTC website. If your clearance is taking longer than usual, you may contact CTC directly to check on the status.
• Contact CTC

  • To check on the status of your certificate of clearance application or if you have questions about the process or need technical help, you may contact CTC directly.

    Contact CTC

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CPR Requirement (Infant/Child/Adult)

If you are considering enrolling in a CPR course, it must meet the American Heart Association or American Red Cross standards. The course must include Infant, Child and Adult CPR. Online courses are acceptable.

Recommended Courses:

• Online Course: ProCPR: Community CPR: Online General CPR for All Ages Certification Adult, Child and Infant CPR/AED 
• American Heart Association | Heartsaver CPR
• American Red Cross | Adult and Pediatric CPR 

If you plan to take a course that is not recommended, please check with Credential Services for approval before enrolling in the course to ensure it meets the CPR requirement.

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Foreign Transcript Evaluation

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) requires all individuals who have completed college or university coursework at an institution in a country other than the United States to obtain a complete evaluation of foreign transcripts/degrees. The evaluation must result in an equivalent U.S. bachelor's or master's degree.

Individuals who hold a master's degree from an accredited U.S. University or College do not need an evaluation of foreign undergraduate course work for CTC, however, it may still be required for admission by SJSU's Graduate Admission and Program Evaluation (GAPE).

SJSU and CTC requires independent evaluation of foreign degrees. See guidelines below.

• SJSU Graduate Admission & Program Evaluation (GAPE)
  • Visit the Graduate Admission and Program Evaluation (GAPE) website for more information about the foreign transcript evaluation requirement, or you may contact GAPE at 408-924-2480 or graduate@sjsu.edu for assistance.
• CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)

  • For credentialing purposes, foreign degrees require an evaluation by a CTC approved agency. See leaflet CL-635 for a list of approved foreign transcript evaluation agencies. The SJSU Credential Services Office recommends using WES (World Education Services) for your evaluation since it is accepted by both CTC and SJSU's GAPE office. If you have questions, you may contact SJSU Credential Services at 408-924-3541 or credentials@sjsu.edu.

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Verifying Subject Matter Competence (SMC)

Individuals applying to the Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist Credential Programs must satisfy subject matter competency which may be demonstrated through one of the following options. Additional details are available on the CTC website. 

• 1. CTC Approved Major

  • Verification of successful completion of an academic major in the subject area of the credential being sought. 

    This option is currently available for candidates who have completed an academic bachelors or higher degree in a major that matches EXACTLY one of those identified in the law as indicated below. Candidates automatically meet the SMC requirement under this option. Verification of degree is required by program department.

    Multiple Subject: 

    -Liberal Studies
    -Liberal Studies: Urban Education
    -Liberal Studies: Elementary Education
    -Liberal Arts
    -Elementary Education

    For Interdisciplinary degrees, contact credentials@sjsu.edu.

    Single Subject: The major must be an exact credential subject area match in one of the subjects named in Education Code section 44257(a) and approved by CTC. See list of CTC Approved Majors [pdf].

    Single Subject Credential Programs offered at SJSU:
    - Art
    - English
    - Mathematics
    - Music
    - Physical Education
    - Science: Biology, Chemistry, Geoscience, Physics
    - Social Science
    - World Languages: French, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish,

    Education Specialist: The academic major must be in one of the subject areas for either Multiple Subject or Single Subject. The major must be an EXACT match as approved by CTC. See list of CTC Approved Majors [pdf].

• 2. CTC Approved Subject Matter Preparation Program 

  • Completion of a Subject Matter Preparation Program approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

    Candidates who completed a commission approved subject matter preparation program at SJSU may contact the program department to initiate a letter of verification of completion to waive the CSET exam. Candidates who completed a commission approved subject matter program at another institution are required to provide an SMC letter signed by the credential analyst at their institution. 

    SJSU Elementary Subject Matter (ESM) Preparation Programs:  
    -Liberal Studies 
    -Child & Adolescent Development 

    SJSU Secondary Subject Matter (SSM) Preparation Programs:
    -Art 
    -English
    -Mathematics
    -Music Education
    -Kinesiology (Physical Education)
    -Social Science
    -Spanish

    Education Specialist Candidates may complete one of the subject matter preparations programs listed above for Multiple Subject or Single Subject candidates.

• 3. CSET

  • Pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET).

    Click on the link below to look up the subtest(s) required for the credential you are seeking.

    Multiple Subject - Verifying Subject Matter Competence by Exam

    Single Subject - Verifying Subject Matter Competence by Exam

    Education Specialist Candidates may choose one of the CSET test options listed above for Multiple Subject or Single Subject candidates. Check with the Special Education Department if you are unsure which exam to take.

• 4. Coursework addressing each of the CTC-adopted Subject Matter Domains 

  • If you do not meet the degree major option, a completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter domain requirements adopted by the commission in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282, as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation is required. A combination of coursework and CSET is acceptable for this option.

    MULTIPLE SUBJECT & EDUCATION SPECIALIST
    Applicants may refer to link below for instructions:
    SMC Coursework Evaluation Process
    

    SINGLE SUBJECT
    Applicants may refer to the Single Subject Program website for guidance on how to have their coursework reviewed by a subject area advisor.

The PK-3 Early Childhood Education Credential Program offers two options to satisfy the Subject Matter Competency (SMC) requirement. Refer to the link below for details. 

• PK-3 Early Childhood Education 
  • PK-3_Subject Matter Competence (SMC) Assessment

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U.S. Constitution Requirement

California law requires that all teachers pass a course in the U.S. Constitution before being issued a credential. See options below for meeting this requirement.

• CSU Bachelor's Degree
  • Individuals with a bachelor's degree from any CSU automatically meet the U.S. Constitution requirement. Your transcripts will be verified during the admissions process. You do not need to submit any paperwork. 
• Coursework

  • The Education Code states that the U.S Constitution requirement may be met by satisfactory completion of coursework covering the provisions & principles of the U.S Constitution. The CTC has deemed that coursework for this requirement must be met with a grade of "C" or better or pass, credit, or satisfactory grade. The coursework may be an online course taken at a regionally accredited two or four-year college of university. 

    See list of approved U.S. Constitution Courses [pdf]. 

    Verification Process:
    1. Complete the U.S Constitution Verification Form [pdf]
    2. Transcripts reflecting completion of course with a grade of "C" or better.
    3. Course description and/or syllabus from the college where the course was taken (not required if the course is on the list of approved courses.)
    4. Submit to credentials@sjsu.edu for processing

• AP Exam

  • AP Exams are acceptable if ALL of the following criteria are met:

    - AP US Government or AP US History 
    - AP Exam score is 3 or higher 
    - Credit is posted on college transcripts 

    Verification Process:
    1. Complete the U.S Constitution Verification Form [pdf]
    2. AP Exam score report
    3. Official transcripts
    4. Submit to credentials@sjsu.edu for processing

• College Level Exam

  • Notre Dame de Namur University U.S. Constitution Exam

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Adding Authorizations to an Existing Credential

Multiple Subject and Single Subject credential holders may obtain additional authorizations without completing full professional preparation programs.

General Education Authorizations

• Adding a Teaching or Subject Area to Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credentials
  • Adding a Teaching or Subject Area to Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credentials
• Adding a Teaching or Subject Area to General or Standard Teaching Credentials
  • Adding a Teaching or Subject Area to General or Standard Teaching Credentials

Supplementary and Subject Matter Authorizations

Supplementary and Subject Matter Authorizations may be added to Multiple or Single Subject Credentials. Applications must be submitted directly to CTC for processing. You may contact us for guidance at credentials@sjsu.edu.

• Multiple Subject Credential Holders

  • Supplementary Authorization for Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials
    - Worksheet for Supplementary Authorization Multiple Subject

    Subject Matter Authorization for Multiple Teaching Credentials 
    - Worksheet for Subject Matter Authorization Multiple Subject

• Single Subject Credential Holders

  • Supplementary Authorization for Single Subject Teaching Credentials
    - Worksheet for Supplementary Authorization Single Subject

    Subject Matter Authorization for Single Subject Teaching Credentials
    - Worksheet Subject Matter Authorization Single Subject

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Verification of Teacher Certification for Employment Outside of CA

If you are seeking employment outside of California and require verification of program completion, please complete the following steps below and submit to credentials@sjsu.edu

1. Complete the Out-of-State Information Cover Sheet [pdf]
2. Pay the $15 processing fee
3. Complete a Teacher Certification Form: This form is usually provided by the education department of the state where you are seeking employment.

Note: Your credential will be verified with the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). It does not have to be valid, however, if you do not hold a CA credential related to the program for which you are seeking verification, you will be required to submit additional paperwork. Please contact the SJSU Credential Services office for further instructions.

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Emergency Permit Renewal

Completion of at least 6 semester units of coursework towards the appropriate credential program is required. The coursework must be completed after the issuance date of the last emergency permit and before the issuance date of the new permit. The original CL-469 form will be returned to you by mail as you will need to submit it to your employer for further processing.

To renew your Emergency Permit, complete steps 1 - 3 below:

1. Complete the CL-469 form [pdf]
2. Complete the Emergency Permit Information Cover Sheet [pdf]
3. Email to credentials@sjsu.edu or mail to:

San Jose State University 
Credential Services
One Washington Square, Sweeney Hall 445
San Jose, CA 95192-0015

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