The state of California requires that teacher candidates satisfy both Basic Skills and Subject Matter Compentency requirements before beginning student teaching. This page outlines options. We strongly encourage prospective applicants to begin the process of completing these requirements as soon as possible, especially if your undergraduate major does not align with one of the CTC-approved options below.
Meet Basic Skills Requirement
The majority of applicants will satisfy Basic Skills with their Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally-accredited institution.
UC Berkeley undergrads who are receiving their BTEP credential via our new undergraduate pathway will satisfy basic skills upon being awarded their BA/BS degree.
Meet Subject Matter Requirement
You may fulfill the Subject Matter Requirement in one of three ways, detailed below:
- By passing the CSET Exams aligned with your credential area (see below), OR
- By successfully a completing a Subject Matter Preparation Program, OR
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Through an undergraduate major or subject-relevant coursework that meets or exceeds the Commission’s subject matter requirements. If you have completed an academic major in the subject you will teach. For Single Subject credentials, the major must be in one of the subjects of single subject credential defined in statute. For Multiple Subject credentials, the major must be in liberal studies or an interdisciplinary major that addresses all the content areas of the Multiple Subject credential.
Option 1: CSET Exam (California Subject Examinations for Teachers):
Subject-matter competency is required of all applicants to programs leading to a multiple or single subject teaching credential. If you will demonstrate competency through CSET exams, please upload a PDF scan of your official score report into the online application.
You are required to take ALL CSET subtests of the corresponding credential Subject, unless you have an undergraduate major or coursework alignment.
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Credential Area |
CSET Subtests Required |
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English |
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Social Studies |
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Science (Taken 8/6/17 and before) |
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Science (Taken 8/7/17 and after) |
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Mathematics |
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Multiple Subject |
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Subject Matter Competency must be satisfied in order to begin student teaching in August. We strongly recommend that you schedule any necessary CSET exams for early spring 2025. It is not necessary to have passed the CSET exams when submitting your application for admission.
Visit: http://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_Tests.html for test dates and registration information.
Option 2: Subject Matter Preparation Program:
Complete an approved Subject Matter Preparation Program. Upload a certified letter from your credential analyst confirming your enrollment and completion of your program. If you are currently in a Subject Matter Preparation Program you should submit a letter indicating you have completed 80% of your program and submit final letter upon completion.
Option 3: Undergraduate Major/Coursework:
Review the coursework options for any subtests where you have not met SMR by using the Coursework worksheet for your intended credential pathway. You must have coursework in each domain listed for that subtest. Access the worksheets at the following links: Multiple Subjects, Secondary English, Secondary History/Social Science, Secondary Math, Secondary Science.
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If yes, you have a course for every domain for that subtest, you will request a Subject Matter Coursework Evaluation by submitting the worksheet in lieu of CSET scores for review. Upon recommendation for admission BTEP will verify subject matter competency.
- If you intend to apply to BTEP you can submit your subject-matter coursework worksheet for early evaluation by our program director and credential analyst. We will review submitted documents approximately every two weeks. Please upload worksheets here if you'd like them reviewed.
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If no, you have NOT taken a course in every domain listed for that subtest, you will need to pass the CSET exam for that subtest to meet SMR.
