Depending on the credential, the process of earning your credential will differ. Use this step-by-step checklist to successfully complete your credential. Some steps may require a fee, which is outlined in each step if applicable.
California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential
Possession of a conferred bachelor’s (or higher) degree earned at a regionally accredited college or university satisfies the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR).
A Livescan fingerprint clearance and background check through the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) are required upon admission to the credential program.
- The certificate of clearance must be posted on the CTC website prior to fieldwork.
- After you have received your Certificate of Clearance, upload your verification notice to ELC.
- If you hold a California credential, such as an emergency or sub permit, submit a copy to the Credential Analyst.
- There is a fee for the certificate of clearance.
All candidates must provide the Credential Department with a TB test taken within the last 2 years. Submit TB test to ELC.
- CACREP requires students to carry individual professional counseling liability insurance while enrolled in practicum and fieldwork.
- Several affordable options are available through professional associations. You will find Organizations with Student Liability options in your Fieldwork Manual.
- Once a policy is selected, it must be uploaded to the ELC.
- The Liability Insurance Policy should have your name, policy ID number, amounts of coverage and expiration date.
To prepare to be recommended for the credential, all candidates must confirm the following items are resolved:
- Degree Posted: The Credential Analyst has on file an official copy of your undergraduate transcript with the Bachelor's degree posted.
- Final Grades: Final grades, including grades for student teaching/field placement and seminar, are posted on your transcript.
- Incompletes: All incompletes are cleared from your transcript.
Students should request a credential recommendation after ALL requirements are completed.
Please fill out the PPS (People Personnel Services) Credential Recommendation Request form in ELC so that the SOLES Credential Analysts can begin to recommend you for the PPS Credential with the CTC. The normal review and processing time for the Credential Analyst is 14 days from the submission date.
Please note: Once the Credential Analysts recommends you, you will need to complete the recommendation with the CTC, which will require paying the CTC the credential fee.
Preliminary Teaching Credential
Submit official transcripts and transfer transcripts, if applicable, to the Credential Analyst.
- If asking for credit for education coursework from another university for the credential program, complete the Petition for Approval of Credential Coursework form.
- Students should submit their transcripts to the credential analyst at the beginning of their first semester.
Possession of a conferred bachelor’s (or higher) degree earned at a regionally accredited college or university satisfies the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR).
Teacher credential candidates must demonstrate Subject Matter proficiency, which may be satisfied through one of the options outlined below:
1. Examination
Passing the appropriate subject matter examination of the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). The CSET must have been passed within the previous 5 years.
- Multiple Subject candidates are required to take the "CSET: Multiple Subject Subtests I, II and III."
- Single Subject candidates must pass all of the subtests of the CSET exam in the appropriate subject area or complete an approved subject area program if available. (Mathematics is the only USD subject area approved program.)
- Education Specialist candidates may meet either of the options above.
There is a fee to take the CSET.
2. Subject Matter Program
Completion of a CTC-approved Subject Matter Program.
Please note that a Subject Matter Program is different from an Educator Preparation Program. Completion of a Subject Matter Program is specifically needed to meet this requirement. See the hyperlink above to find a current list of approved Subject Matter Programs.
3. Academic Major
Completion of an academic major, from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, in the subject area of the credential being sought. (For details about acceptable majors see PSA 21-10, PSA 23-04, or At a Glance: Academic Majors).
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Single-subject credentials: A major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates, e.g., Math, English, Social Studies, etc., or one of the following:
1) For the single subject area World Language: English Language Development, an academic degree major in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).
2) For the single subject area of Home Economics, an academic degree major in family and consumer science.
3) For the single subject area of Mathematics, an academic degree major in statistics.
4) For the single subject area of Science: Biological Science, an academic degree major in biology, biological engineering, or biochemistry.
5) For the single subject area of Science: Chemistry, an academic degree major in chemical engineering or biochemistry.
6) For the single subject area of Science: Geoscience, an academic degree major in geology or earth science.
7) For the single subject area of Science: Physics, an academic degree major in mechanical or structural engineering.
8) For the single subject area of Science: Foundational-Level Science, an academic degree major in any type of engineering or any degree major offered by a college or university science department.
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Multiple subject credentials:
Completion of a baccalaureate degree or higher in one of following academic degree majors meets the subject matter competency requirement for the Multiple Subject Credential:
1) Liberal Studies
2) Liberal Arts
3) Elementary Education
AB 130 also allows for a candidate to meet the subject matter requirement for the Multiple Subject Credential with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a major that includes all of the subject areas identified in Education Code §44282(b): language studies, literature, mathematics, science, social studies, history, arts, physical education, and human development.
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Education specialist credentials: Either a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates or a liberal studies or other major that includes coursework in the multiple subject matter content areas.
4. Coursework
Teacher candidates may satisfy the Subject Matter Requirement through the completion of coursework with a grade of C or above at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that address each of the Commission-adopted subject matter domains of the subject matter of the credential being sought.
Candidates must identify the applicable Subject Matter Domains for their credential(s) and cross-list the courses they have taken that satisfy the various domains.
- Single-subject credentials: see the Single Subject Domains Document
- Multiple subject credentials: see the Multiple Subject Domains Document
- Education specialist credentials: see either of the options above.
5. Combination of Examinations & Coursework
Teacher candidates may satisfy the Subject Matter Requirement through the completion of a combination of coursework and examination(s) that meets or exceeds the subject matter domains. See Subject Matter Domains and CSET Examination by Subtest.
A Livescan fingerprint clearance and background check through the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) are required upon admission to the credential program. Instructions for completing the process are available at the San Diego County Office of Education.
- The certificate of clearance must be posted on the CTC website prior to fieldwork.
- After you have received your Certificate of Clearance, email the verification notice to the Credential Analyst.
- If you hold a California credential, such as an emergency or sub permit, submit a copy to the Credential Analyst.
- There is a fee for the certificate of clearance.
All candidates must provide the Credential Department with a TB test taken within the last 2 years. Submit TB test to ELC.
To prepare to be recommended for the credential, all candidates must confirm the following items are resolved:
- Degree Posted: The Credential Analyst has on file an official copy of your undergraduate transcript with the Bachelor's degree posted.
- Final Grades: Final grades, including grades for student teaching/field placement and seminar, are posted on your transcript.
- Incompletes: All incompletes are cleared from your transcript.
The University of San Diego uses the CalTPA and EdSp CalTPA exam as its final Teacher Performance Assessment.
Multiple or Single Subject Credentials (General Education)
- Candidates pursuing only a Multiple or Single Subject Credential must pass the CalTPA exam prior to being recommended for the Multiple or Single Subject Credential.
Education Specialist - Mild Moderate Support Needs Credential (Special Education)
- Candidates pursuing only the Education Specialist Credential must pass the EdSp CalTPA - MMSN (Mild/Moderate Support Needs) prior to being recommended for the Education Specialist Credential.
Dual Credentials - General and Special Education Credentials
- Candidates who seek dual (two) credentials only need to complete one performance assessment, the CalTPA or EdSp CalTPA - MMSN (Mild/Moderate Support Needs).
Students should request a credential recommendation after ALL requirements are completed.
To receive your teaching credential, submit the Request Credential Recommendation Form. This form can only be submitted after you have successfully completed student teaching and your final grades have been posted to your USD transcript.
Once all requirements have been confirmed, the Credential Analyst will submit a credential recommendation on your behalf to the CTC. This process typically takes 14 working days.
The CTC will email you that they have received the credential recommendation and request your payment for the credential.
After the CTC receives your payment, you will receive an e-mail verification of the credential to share with employers.
Additional Requirements for Teacher Credential
These requirements do not need to be done in any specific order but do need to be completed by the end of the program.
A course or examination in the U.S. Constitution is required for all Multiple and Single Subject and Education Specialist credentials. Candidates with Advanced Placement credit must supply the credential analyst with a copy of AP results from the USD Registrar’s Office. USD courses that fulfill this requirement: Political Science 120, History 117.
Alternative options:
- A course equivalent to Political Science 120 or History 117
- Passing scores in the U.S. Constitution Exam1
1This exam is administered by an outside entity and requires a fee to take this exam.
An English linguistics course for English Learner Authorization (ELA) must be completed in the first year of the program. USD courses that fulfill this requirement: EDTE 501P, EDTE 502P-EDTE 509P, EDTE 512P.
Submit a copy of valid infant, child and adult CPR certification (must be valid within 2 years)
Meet with our Credential Analyst
The Credential Analyst is responsible for assuring that School Counseling and Teacher Credential candidates have completed all California State requirements in order to be recommended by SOLES for the credential. Contact the Credential Analyst to learn more about the specific credential requirements and to build a personalized plan to make a difference in California schools.