Do you want to become a teacher in the state of California? Well, we have put together a handy guide that lists the steps that you must take.
- Complete a bachelor’s degree. You need a bachelor’s degree to apply for teaching certification in California. A potential teacher can complete their undergraduate degree in any subject as long as they complete a CTC-approved teacher preparation program. You need to complete your undergraduate degree with a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for certification. This means that you need to maintain a B average to become a teacher in the state of California. Sounds fair to me.
- Complete a teacher education program and subject matter program. To become a teacher in the state of California, students must complete a CTC-approved educator preparation program and a CTC-approved subject matter program instead of the two Praxis tests. These programs provide substitute for the Praxis, as they indicate both general aptitude and content-area knowledge.
- Complete your student teaching hours. All teacher education candidates must complete a student teaching experience under the supervision of a licensed teacher and a faculty mentor.
- Pass a background check. The state of California requires that all teachers pass a live scan, which is an electronic fingerprinting method used by many organizations to check each applicant’s background for prior offenses. Applicants can fill out a Live Scan request here.
- Submit an application for teacher certification. Potential teachers must submit an application that includes their transcripts, education preparation, subject matter programs, and proof of satisfaction of the basic skills requirement.
- Payment of all fees. Teacher candidates must pay a $100 application fee when they submit their application. Students pay Live Scan fees directly to Live Scan. Out-of-state students can request fingerprint cards, but they must pay an additional $49 to do so. Online applications may include a $2.50 service fee.
