Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be licensed to teach in California Public Schools?

• Yes. Adult Education (AE) and Career Technical Education (CTE) teachers must be certified by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing in order to be employed in a California public school.
• Qualified individuals may apply through LACOE for a 3 year preliminary teaching credential in either AE or CTE.
• Go to either the AE or CTE Applications page to download the appropriate application. You may see the preliminary AE or CTE credential qualifications and requirements by visiting our "Designated Subject Credential Requirements" page.

I am moving to another state: will that state accept my California credential?

• You will need to contact the state's credential or education agency to ask whether they will accept your California credential. Each state's credential requirements may differ.

How do I print my credential from the CTC website?

• All credential documents issued on or after September 1, 2008 are available on the Commission's website Links to an external site. in a view and print format. You may also refer to the video "How to Print Documents" posted on our Video Tutorials page.

How do I change my name or personal profile with the CTC?

• You may change your home address, work and home phone numbers, and email address by logging into your educator account on the CTC website.
• You must use the Request to Change Name or Personal Profile form 41-NC to make changes or corrections to your legal name, social security number and/or date of birth. Form 41-NC may be found on our “Credential Resources and Forms” page. For processing, the completed form and all required supporting documentation must be mailed to the CTC at mailing address listed on the bottom of the form.

What is the difference between the Adult Education and Career Technical Education credentials?

• The Designated Subjects Adult Education (AE) credential is for qualified individuals seeking a teaching position in an adult school within a school district or other adults-only school. The credential is limited to teaching adults. There are two types of AE credentials: Academic and Non-academic. See the appropriate AE credential application on our "Adult Education Credential Applications" page.
• The Designated Subjects Career Technical Education (CTE) Credential is for qualified individuals seeking a teaching position in a middle school, high school, adult school, ROCP, or other training school. The credential allows teaching in the CTE subject authorization for students middle and high school ages through adults. Individuals are limited to teaching the specific CTE subject authorization(s) listed on their credential. See the appropriate CTE credential application on our "Career Technical Education Applications" page.

Once I have been issued a Preliminary Credential, how do I take the required coursework and in what order?

Credential courses required for clearing the 3 year preliminary Career Technical Education credential and Adult Education credential are offered three terms per year. Courses may not be taken concurrently (with the exception of the HET course) and must be completed in the following order:
• Early Orientation (within first 30 days of the preliminary credential issuance date)
• Foundations of Classroom Management
• Foundations of Curriculum
• Teaching English Learners and Students with Special Needs (CTE only)
• Foundations of Teaching Adult Learners (Adult Ed only)
• Teaching Portfolio
• If needed, Advanced Professional Training (CTE only)
• Health Education for Teachers (HET may be taken at any time)
See our Credentials Course Overview for course descriptions. Early Orientation instructions and Course Schedule flyers are emailed to approved preliminary credential candidates and can be found on our website. Additional information regarding the coursework may be found in the Course Schedule including:
• Cost per class
• Course dates
• Instructor name
• Textbooks required
• Course units earned through University of San Diego
• Registration instructions
Other requirements to clear the preliminary CTE or AE credential include:
• U.S. Constitution requirement (may be completed at any time)
• Infant, Child and Adult CPR certification (may be completed at any time)
• Four semesters of verified teaching experience during the three year period of the preliminary credential or completion of the Advanced Professional Training course (for CTE credentials only)
• At least two semesters of supervision and mentoring documentation verifying program competencies have been met or completion of the Advanced Professional Training course (for CTE credentials only)

How do I register for the credential courses?

• The Designated Subjects Credential courses are offered by LACOE through the University of San Diego (USD). All courses are in an online format. All courses are offered three terms per year-summer, fall, and spring-with three class sections of each course scheduled per term.
• On our website, view the current course schedule flyer which has registration instructions at the bottom of the flyer or go directly to the USD website to register at pce.sandiego.edu. Click on the course that you need and then view the available sections by clicking on the + sign on the right side. Registration opens 30 days prior to the start of any course. Select your preferred class section, add to cart, and then checkout. You will be prompted to create a student account or log in to an existing account. Once the process is complete, you will receive a confirmation of registration which you should print and save.
• Typically you will receive an email from the instructor at least three days before your class begins. The instructor will ask that you respond to the email to confirm your email address and may have other information for you. Make sure you check your spam, junk or clutter email if you do not receive an email from the instructor. If you have not received an email by the first day of class, contact LACOE at 562-922-6798.

Is financial aid available for the credentials coursework?

USD does not offer financial aid for the credential courses. However, both the California Credit Union and the SchoolsFirst Credit Union offer personal loans for teachers who are pursuing their professional education. Please visit our "Credential Resources and Forms" page for additional information on each of the credit unions.

What if my preliminary Credential is expiring, but I have not completed the requirements to apply for a Clear Credential?

• If you do not have a teaching position, you may let your preliminary credential expire and then complete the clear credential requirements at a later time. Once you have completed the clear credential requirements, you may apply for the clear credential.
• If you currently have a teaching position, you may apply for a one-year extension through LACOE if you meet the CTC guidelines. Please note that lack of finances is not considered a valid reason for having not completed your clear credential requirements. The Extension Request application is available on our "Credential Extension Application" page or contact LACOE-Credential Services at 562-922-6798 for further information.

How do I clear my Preliminary Designated Subjects AE or CTE Credential?

• You may download the application to clear your Preliminary CTE credential by visiting our "Career Technical Education Credential Applications" page and clicking on Clear Career Technical Education Application.
• You may download the application to clear your Preliminary Adult Education credential by visiting our "Adult Education Credential Applications" page and clicking on Clear Adult Education Application.

After I have cleared my Designated Subjects Credential, how do I renew it?

Once you have cleared your Designated Subjects Credential, it will be issued for five years. You must renew the credential with CTC every five years in order to keep it active. Renewals must be done directly with CTC on their website.

How do I obtain an application packet for the Designated Subject Adult Education Credential?

You may obtain an application packet for a Designated Subjects Adult Education credential on our "Adult Education Credential Applications" page. You may download a credential application and instuctions by "clicking" on the link for the appropriate application. Once you have the application on the screen, you may fill it out and save and/or print the form. Print, sign, and mail all items on the checklist to the address on the bottom of the check list. If you are experiencing difficulty you may contact us at (562) 922-6798.

How do I apply for the Designated Subjects Adult Education Credential?

• Once you have downloaded an application, please follow the instructions on the front cover of the application to ensure that you have included the applicable fees, application forms, work verification letters (for General Subjects only), official transcripts, completed live scan forms and Certificate of Clearance, if required, to complete the application. Please mail in your application to the LACOE-CTE Credential Services Office. The mailing address is located on the bottom of the front cover of the application.
• If you have any questions about completing the application, please contact the LACOE-CTE Credentials Services Unit at (562) 922-6798, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

How do I calculate the three years of work experience/education directly related to each general subject for the AE Credential?

See the chart below for the conversion of work and education for the three years of experience required for each general subject on the Adult Education credential:
• 3 years work experience
High school diploma or equivalent
• 2 years work experience
24 semester units of college related to the general subject or one year of full-time general education teaching experience in grades K-12
• 1 year work experience
48 semester units of college related to the general subject

What is the process after I have mailed in my application packet for the Designated Subjects AE Credential?

• Once LACOE-CTE Credential Services receives the complete application, the credentials coordinator will review the application within 10-15 business days. If there is any additional information or documentation required to process your credential application, the credentials coordinator will contact the applicant via email. Once the application is approved, the credentials coordinator will email a credential recommendation letter which notifies the applicant that LACOE-CTE is recommending the applicant for the Designated Subjects Adult Education credential. About 2-3 weeks after you receive your credential recommendation letter, our office will upload your credential recommendation letter directly to the CTC website on your behalf. At that time, the candidate will receive a donotreply@ctc.ca.gov email. You must then log into your educator account on the CTC website at www.ctc.ca.gov and complete the Online Recommendation from a Program Sponsor and pay the processing fee to the CTC. It will then take 5-10 business days for CTC to process your online application.
• The credential recommendation letter sent to the applicant by the LACOE credentials coordinator may be used to begin teaching until CTC approves the credential. The decision to accept the recommendation letter on a provisional basis is at the discretion of the employing school district.

How can I expedite the review of my application packet if I already have a teaching job offer pending?

• The LACOE-Credential Services Unit offers an expedite process for those applicants that are seeking to expedite the review of their credential application. There is an additional $60 expedite fee payable via money order or cashier's check to LACOE, you may combine the two LACOE fees into one money order or cashier's check.
• The additional fee is recommended for applicants that have an urgent situation such as pending employment offer that will begin in less than 30 days or a credential that is expiring in less than 30 days.

What coursework and requirements do I need to complete to clear my Preliminary AE Credential?

Credential courses required for clearing the 3 year preliminary Adult Education credential are offered three terms per year. Courses may not be taken concurrently (with the exception of the HET course) and must be completed in the following order:
• Early Orientation (within first 30 days of the preliminary credential issuance date)
• Foundations of Classroom Management
• Foundations of Curriculum
• Foundations of Teaching Adult Learners
• Teaching Portfolio
• Health Education for Teachers (HET may be taken at any time)
See the AE Credentials Coursework Overview for more information. Early Orientation instructions and Course Schedule flyers are emailed to approved preliminary credential candidates and can be found on our "University of San Diego Course Schedules" page. Additional information regarding the coursework may be found in the Course Schedule including:
• Cost per class
• Course dates
• Instructor name
• Textbooks required
• Course units earned through University of San Diego
• Registration instructions
Other requirements to clear the preliminary AE credential include:
• U.S. Constitution requirement (may be completed at any time)
• Infant, Child and Adult CPR certification (may be completed at any time)
• Four semesters of verified teaching experience during the three year period of the preliminary AE credential
• At least two semesters of supervision and mentoring documentation verifying program competencies have been met
• Once you have cleared your Designated Subjects AE Credential, it will be issued for five years. You must renew the credential with CTC every five years in order to keep it active. Renewals must be done directly with CTC on their website.

What are CTC acceptable foreign transcript evaluating agencies?

• You may view the Commission Approved Foreign Transcript Evaluating Agencies Here! Links to an external site.

How do I obtain an application for the Designated Subject CTE Education Credential?

You may obtain an application for a Designated Subjects Career Technical Education credential on our "Career Technical Education Applications" page. You may download an application and instuctions by "clicking" on the link for the appropriate application. Once you have the application on the screen, you may fill it out and save and/or print the form. Print, sign, and mail all items on the checklist to the address on the bottom of the check list. If you are experiencing difficulty you may contact us at (562) 922-6798.

How do I apply for the Designated Subjects Career Technical Education Credential?

• Once you have an application, please follow the instructions on the front cover of the application to ensure that you have included the applicable fees, application forms, work verification letters, verification of education, completed live scan forms and Certificate of Clearance, if required, to complete the application. Please mail in your application to the LACOE-CTE Credential Services Office. The mailing address is located on the bottom of the front cover of the application.
• If you have any questions about completing the application, please contact the LACOE-CTE Credentials Services Unit at (562) 922-6798, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

What is the process after I have mailed in my application packet for the Designated Subjects CTE Credential?

• Once LACOE-CTE Credential Services receives the application, the credentials coordinator will review the application within 10-15 business days. If there is any additional information or documentation required to process your credential application, the credentials coordinator will contact the applicant via email. Once the application is approved, the credentials coordinator will email a credential recommendation letter which notifies the applicant that LACOE-CTE is recommending the applicant for the Designated Subjects Career Technical Education credential. About 2-3 weeks after you receive your credential recommendation letter, our office will upload your credential recommendation letter directly to the CTC website on your behalf. At that time, you will receive a donotreply@ctc.ca.gov email. You must then log into your educator account on the CTC website at www.ctc.ca.gov and complete your Online Recommendation from a Program Sponsor and pay the processing fee to the CTC. It will then take 5-10 business days for the CTC to process your online application.
• The credential recommendation letter sent to the applicant by the LACOE credentials coordinator may be used to begin teaching until CTC approves the credential. The decision to accept the recommendation letter on a provisional basis is at the discretion of the employing school district.

How can I expedite the review of my application packet if I already have a teaching job offer pending?

• The LACOE-Credential Services Unit offers an expedite process for those applicants that are seeking to expedite the review of their credential application. There is an additional $60 expedite fee payable via money order or cashier's check to LACOE, you may combine the two LACOE fees into one money order or cashier's check.
• The additional fee is recommended for applicants that have an urgent situation such as pending employment offer that will begin in less than 30 days or a credential that is expiring in less than 30 days.

What coursework and requirements do I need to complete to clear my Preliminary AE Credential?

Credential courses required for clearing the 3 year preliminary Career Technical Education credential are offered three terms per year. Courses may not be taken concurrently (with the exception of the HET course) and must be completed in the following order:
• Early Orientation (within first 30 days of the preliminary credential issuance date)
• Foundations of Classroom Management
• Foundations of Curriculum
• Teaching English Learners and Students with Special Needs
• Teaching Portfolio
• Health Education for Teachers (HET may be taken at any time)
See the CTE Credentials Coursework Overview for more information. Early Orientation instructions and Course Schedule flyers are emailed to approved preliminary credential candidates and can be found on our "University of San Diego Course Schedules" page. Additional information regarding the coursework may be found in the Course Schedule including:
• Cost per class
• Course dates
• Instructor name
• Textbooks required
• Course units earned through University of San Diego
• Registration instructions
Other requirements to clear the preliminary AE credential include:
• U.S. Constitution requirement (may be completed at any time)
• Infant, Child and Adult CPR certification (may be completed at any time)
• Four semesters of verified teaching experience during the three year period of the preliminary AE credential
• At least two semesters of supervision and mentoring documentation verifying program competencies have been met
• Once you have cleared your Designated Subjects CTE Credential, it will be issued for five years. You must renew the credential with CTC every five years in order to keep it active. Renewals must be done directly with CTC on their website.

Can I teach Career Technical Education with a Single Subject Credential?

• Title 5 clarifies that holders of Single Subject Teaching Credentials in specific subject areas (agriculture, business, home economics, industrial arts, and industrial and technology education) are authorized to teach trade, technical, and vocational classes. These teachers may or may not need to obtain a CTE credential, as it is at the discretion of the employing school district; however, they should document some industry work experience or the equivalent.
• Teachers with Single Subject Credentials in other subject areas may qualify for a CTE credential with:
• 1 year (1000 hours) of industry experience
• 24 semester units in the subject listed on the CTE credential or industry certification (or two years of industry experience)
• 1 year of full time teaching – any subject
• Teachers with Single Subject Credentials should contact the LACOE-CTE Credential Services office at 562-922-6798 to obtain a specialized application via email.

Do I need to meet the U.S. Constitution requirement to qualify for my clear credential?

• The U.S. Constitution requirement must be met for the clear Adult Education credential and the clear CTE credential.
It may be met by one of the following:
• Completion of a two (2) semester or three (3) quarter unit college-level course which includes the United States Constitution in the course description (official transcripts required).
• Completion of an online course through UCSD at https://extension.ucsd.edu/courses-and-programs/u-s-constitution-preparation-course-and-examination
• Passage of an online examination through Notre Dame de Namur at https://usconstitutionexam.com/