Become a Teacher
in California

All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. Prerequisite coursework for teaching in California varies depending on different teacher preparation programs and credentials; however, most programs do not have specific undergraduate credit hour requirements.

Teacher preparation includes the completion of an accredited teacher education program. Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship. The California Department of Education and Commission on Teacher Credentialing co-sponsor the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) Program. BTSA is one of the best state-funded induction programs in the country. The program is designed to aid in the development of newly-credentialed teachers, and to help teachers fulfill the requirements for the California Clear Multiple and Single Subjects Credentials. The California Department of Education also offers information on internship programs for prospective teachers. While the involvement in an education program may seem financially daunting, a number of financial resources specifically for teachers exist around the country. For more information on this, visit our page on scholarships for teachers. For more scholarships for teachers specific to the State of California visit our California Teacher Scholarships page.

In order to become a certified teacher, you must satisfactorily complete the Basic Skill Test requirement and any Subject Area Competence assessments needed for your desired area of instruction. Subject Area Competence

• CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers)

• California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
• California Teacher Tenure
• California Social Work
• Troops to Teachers California: In California, Troops to Teachers is managed by the Mountain Pacific Region Troops to Teachers Office

Need help preparing for your California credentialing exams?  We recommend you look at Teachers Test Prep, which offers test preparation programs for the CSET, CBEST, and RICA.