General Credential Information

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

Prospective Students

• Verifying Subject Matter Competence (SMC)
• Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)
• Test Preparation Resources for CBEST, CSET, and RICA
• International Students and Foreign Transcript Evaluation
• Fingerprinting/Certificate of Clearance

Credential Holders

• Adding Authorizations To An Existing Credential
• Teacher Certification for Employment Outside of California
• How to Renew an Emergency Permit (CL469 Form)

Additional Information

• How to Meet the U.S. Constitution Requirements
• How to Meet the Adult-Child-Infant CPR Requirement
• SJSU Transcript Request

Verifying Subject Matter Competence  

Updated 10/2022

Individuals applying to the Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist (MMD & MSD) 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. Degree Major

  • Verification of successful completion of an academic degree 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 exactly matches one of those identified in the law as indicated below.

    Candidates automatically meet the SMC requirement under this option. Verificaton of degree is required by program department.

    Multiple Subject Candidates:

    Liberal Studies - degree may include any focus or concentration in the title

    Interdisplinary Degree - Contact credentials@sjsu.edu.

    Single Subject Candidates: The major must be an exact degree/credential subject match in one of the subjects named in Education Code section 44257(a). These subjects are:

    Agriculture

    Art

    Business

    Dance

    English

    World Language (in any of the languages for which there is a credential)

    Health Science

    Home Economics

    Industrial and Technology Education

    Mathematics

    Music

    Physical Education

    Science (including Biology, Chemistry, Geoscience or Earth and Space Science, and Physics)

    Social Science

    Theater

    At this time, the Commission will also accept applied majors in the single subject credential areas (e.g., Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics) and exact majors in one of the single subject areas that may have additional modifiers (e.g., Biology: Environmental Biology; Art: Art History; and Physical Education: Kinesiology).

    Education Specialist Candidates: The academic degree major must be in one of the subject areas listed above for either Multiple Subject or Single Subject candidates.

• 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
    -Physical Education/Kinesiology
    -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 complete 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 Commission-adopted Subject Matter Domains 

  • 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. A combination of coursework and CSET is acceptable for this option.

    Multiple Subject Candidates: 

    -SJSU ChAD majors should contact the ChAD department for an evaluation at childdev@sjsu.edu.  NOTE: Credential Services does not evaluate coursework for SJSU ChAD majors. Please do not submit a request to Credential Services.

    -Liberal Studies majors do not need an evaluation. Your degree will be verified by the program.

    -All other majors may submit a request for coursework evaluation to Credential Services. Follow the instructions on the SMC Evaluation Form [pdf].

    Single Subject Candidates: 

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

    Education Specialist Candidates: 

    Applicants may choose an option listed above for Multiple Subject.

     

Basic Skills Requirement

The California Education Code and Title 5 Regulations specify, in most cases, that applicants for a credential, certificate, or permit to serve in the public schools of California must verify basic skills proficiency before the credential, certificate, or permit will be issued. For Preliminary Teaching Credential candidates, the basic skills requirement must be met prior to serving as an intern. 

There are alternate options for meeting the BSR besides passing the CBEST exam, which are outlined on the CTC website (CL-667).  If you are choosing an alternate option, you are required to have it verified by a Credential Analyst in the Credential Services Office prior to applying for admissions to a credential program.

NEW Options for Meeting BSR Effective 7/9/2021 - Assembly Bill (AB) 130 signed by the Governor and became effective July 9, 2021 includes provisions of the bill for creating new options for credential candidates to meet the Basic Skills Requirements (BSR). These new options include coursework or a combination of exams and coursework.   

BSR Verfication Process:

1. Review the Guidance for Meeting BSR through Coursework/Exams [pdf] (updated 4/4/2022) & BSR FAQ [pdf] (updated 10.14.2021)
2. ALL student must complete the BSR Verification Form. [pdf] 
3. For coursework or a combination of coursework/exam evaluation, include the 41-bsr_sjsu [pdf] form with your request.
4. Include official exam score report and/or transcripts. NOTE: Unofficial exam score reports and/or transcripts may be submitted, however, a conditional approval will be processed for admission purposes. Candidates will be required to submit official exam scores/reports when filing for the credential at the end of the program.
5. Submit to Credential Services by email at credentials@sjsu.edu or in person in Sweeney Hall 445.
6. The processing time is 7-10 business days. If you do not hear from us after 10 business days, please reach out.

NOTE:  Approved BSR verifications are only valid for CTC approved credential programs offered at San José State University.  The BSR verification will be submitted to CTC at the end of the program when you are ready to file for your credential.  CTC is the granting authority and makes the final approval of the BSR. 

International Students and Foreign Transcript Evaluation

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing 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. bachelors or masters degree. If an individual holds a masters degree from an accredited U.S. University or College, evaluation of undergraduate course work is not required for CTC, however, it may still be required for admission by SJSU's Graduate Admission and Program Evaluation office. 

SJSU and CTC requires independent evaluation of foreign degrees. 

1. For SJSU admissions, you may visit the Graduate Admission and Program Evaluation (GAPE) website for more information about the transcript evaluation process, or you may contact GAPE at admissions@sjsu.edu for assistance.
2. To meet CTCs requirement, foreign degrees must be evaluated by an approved agency. See leaflet CL-635 for a list of foreign transcript evaluation agenices approved by CTC. The SJSU Credentials 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 credentials@sjsu.edu.

Fingerprinting/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.

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, print 3 copies of the 41-LS form and take it with you.
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.

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 you do not receive an email after the 10th business day, you may contact the CTC at 916-322-4974, (Option 1, M-F, 12:30 PM - 4:35 PM) or by email at credentials@ctc.ca.gov for a status update.

Adding Authorizations to an Existing Credential

General Education Authorizations

• 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

Supplementary and Subject Matter Authorizations

Supplementary and Subject Matter Authorization applications must be submitted directly to CTC for processing. If you require assistance with transcript evaluation to determine eligiblity, you may contact the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

• Supplementary Authorization for Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials
  • Multiple Subject Worksheet
• Supplementary Authorization for Single Subject Teaching Credentials 
  • Single Subject Worksheet
• Subject Matter Authorization for Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credentials
  • Subject Matter Authorization for Multple or Single Subject Worksheet

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.

How to Renew an Emergency Permit

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 
Sweeney Hall 445
San Jose, CA 95192-0015

How to Meet the U.S. Constitution Requirement

California law requires that all teachers pass a course in the U.S. Constitution before being issued a credential. This requirement can be fulfilled by taking an approved college level course(s) or by passing an approved exam. Below is a list of courses that satisfy this requirement:

San José State University Courses

Community College Courses

If you have taken a course at another institution that you believe satisfies the requirement but is not listed, please s ubmit the items below to the SJSU Credential Services at credentials@sjsu.edu or Sweeney Hall 445.

1. Complete the U.S Constitution Verification form [pdf].
2. Course description and syllabus from the college where the course was taken.
3. Transcripts with passing grade of "C" or better for the course

The Education Code states that the U.S Constitution requirement may be met by satisfactory completion of coursework covering the principles of the U.S Constitution. The CTC has deemed that coursework for this requirement must be met by the 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.

U.S. Constitution Exam Option

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

How to Meet the Adult-Child-Infant CPR Requirement

If you are considering enrolling in a CPR course it must meet the American Heart Association guidelines. Due to COVID-19, online CPR courses are acceptable. (Updated 1/11/21)

Recommended Courses

• Online Course: ProCPR: Community CPR: Online General CPR for All Ages Certification Adult, Child and Infant CPR/AED (10% discount with code: SJSU5168) 
• American Heart Association | Heartsaver CPR 
• American Red Cross | Adult and Pediatric CPR