California Teacher Certifications

How to Become a Teacher in California

To become a teacher in California, you'll need to meet the proper educational requirements by attending an accredited teaching program at a university or college. Once you have a Bachelor's degree, you will need to take at least two certification exams.

California Teacher Education Requirements

Apart from needing to attend an officially accredited institution, California teaching requirements mandate that programs include a class on the United States Constitution, a course on using computers and technology for education, health education classes, and a course on Developing English Language Skills.

These requirements are over and above the typical undergraduate and graduate program requirements of studying pedagogy, performing in-field work like student teaching, and the fundamentals of the subject matter you plan on teaching.

California Teacher Testing Requirements

After you have completed the proper coursework and fieldwork, your program will likely sign you up to take your California teacher certification exams. There are two state-mandated requirements: one test about basic knowledge and skills, and another about your subject of expertise. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) offers a number of qualifying certification exams for those hoping to meet the California teaching license requirements.

There are multiple ways of meeting the first requirement. You may take either the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), enroll in the CSU Early Assessment Program, or take the CSET Multiple Subject Plus Writing Skills Examination.

The second requirement, which focuses on the subject you plan to teach, only has one applicable test for licensure: the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). The exams used in California for teaching certification are part of the Praxis line of exams developed by ETS. At Exam Edge, we offer practice tests for these and other teaching certification exams.

California Teaching License Application Process

California's teacher licensing process is somewhat convoluted, so it is understandable if it's difficult to follow. After you pass your certification exam the first time, you are awarded a Preliminary Credential, which lasts up to five years. Once that time period is over, you'll need to get a Clear Credential. This can be done either through the General Education Induction Program or the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards.

Once you have your Clear Credential, it's valid for another five years before you'll need to get a California teaching credential renewal. This process is much simpler than it used to be, as you no longer need to complete hundreds of hours of continuing education for renewal.

Why Take California Teaching Certification Exams?

The complexity of California's teaching credential process may cause you to wonder: why even take these certification exams? Of course, the main reason is that without passing these exams, you won't be able to teach in the state. But there are additional reasons to prepare well and perform better on your certification test.

Being a teacher is still widely respected largely due to the difficulty of the job and its crucial importance for future generations. You will be instructing the next century's artists, engineers, scientists, politicians, and others, and it's vital to get credentials that show that you are qualified for that impressive task. Also, it doesn't hurt that higher scores often pave the way for future career opportunities, promotions, and higher pay!

How to Prepare for Teaching Certifications in California?

After you've completed your accredited teaching program and received your Bachelor's degree (at least), you've got all the knowledge you should need to pass California's credentialing exams. However, the trick is getting that knowledge to the surface of your mind on test day.

We recommend using practice exams to help adjust your study habits and pinpoint the areas in which you struggle to recall needed information. You can also use practice tests to become more acquainted with the pace of the exam, allowing you to avoid those test day jitters.

Exam Edge is a leader in online test preparation. We've helped many teachers, as well as other professionals, get certification on their first go. That's much better than having to continuously pay to retake the exam and having multiple failures on your record!

Purchase a set of California credential practice exams today to start your prep work, or download a short, free sample of our test questions. We're confident that you'll pass your exam knowing that Exam Edge helped make your dream a reality.

Why use Exam Edge for your California Teacher Certifications

With Exam Edge online practice tests, youll find an almost exact replica of the real testing experience, with one important exception: we give you valuable feedback on why you got questions right or wrong. Our exams feature easy-to-understand explanations for each answer. This allows you to take extensive notes and build a customized study guide tailored to your precise study needs.

We know everybody studies a little differently, so we offer three different options for taking online practice tests:

Timed - If you're concerned about using your time wisely on exam day, youll want to take a timed practice test. They turn on the same pressure youll feel when you have to complete an exam during a strict time frame. This method defaults the test timing to the same time limit per question as you would have on the day of the actual exam. This is a great way to practice your pacing, particularly if you're worried about not having enough time to finish the test. Exam Edge exam prep can be as laid-back or as disciplined as you prefer!

No Time Limit - This option allows you the freedom to take your time and really ponder each question before responding. Rush-free online exam prep is a good idea for anyone just starting to prepare for an exam. Its the ideal way to test your existing knowledge while illuminating blind spots you may need to revisit in your studies.

Explanation - Unsure of how to kickstart your studies? A practice test in explanation mode can do wonders for your confidence. The questions serve as a study guide, giving you the freedom to see the answers as you take the practice test. Study guide mode is a great way to review the tests content before you take it in a more controlled format. Take notes as you go - its one of the best study methods for those just beginning to prepare.

Standardized tests gauge what you know. They also test your ability to perform under pressure. While its easy to psych yourself out about the entire test-taking process, confidence is often half the battle. By practicing the same set of skills youll use on the day of the real exam, youre sure to rise to the occasion. Examedge.com has everything you need to prepare. Dont take our word for it, though – look to our testimonials page for reviews from satisfied Exam Edge users!