California requires public school teachers to have a state-issued teaching license. Governed by the CTC, California Commission on Teaching Credentialing, the process requires license holders to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

While these requirements may feel rigid for some candidates, there are actually several ways to pursue a California teaching license. The state uses a tiered system that we will describe in greater detail later on.

This article provides a roadmap for all of your educator credentialing options in the state of California. Read on to learn more.

Overview of Typical Educational Pathways

While there are multiple ways to become a teacher in the state of California, the most typical route is to get a bachelor's degree and complete a teacher preparation program at the same time. There are four types of credentials to choose from:

• Multiple subject teaching, which allows you to teach in elementary classrooms.

• Single-subject teaching allows you to teach in middle school or high school.

• The Education Specialist Instruction credential allows you to teach special education.

• The Designated Subjects Career Technical Education credential allows you to teach technical subjects.

Assuming that you are participating in an education-focused undergraduate program, you'll be able to get your degree and earn your license in the same four-year time frame. 

In addition to completing all of the classroom requirements, you'll also need to fulfill student teaching and practicum obligations, which take about 600 hours total.

Other Pathways

The approach described above is what California refers to as the Integrated Framework. All of the requirements for achieving a teacher's license are integrated into the curriculum. 

However, education is also one of the most popular secondary careers. People pivot into teaching jobs through one of several methods. These include:

• Fifth Year Programs. A fifth-year program is a post-baccalaureate option for people who want to knock out all of their education coursework quickly. If you are taking about two semesters to complete, assuming a full course load, it allows you to knock out the 30–40 credit hours worth of teaching-specific classes in about twelve months.

• Residency Pathway. Residency Pathways are internship programs in which you work with a cooperating teacher who handles the primary classroom planning and management elements while you observe and help, gradually taking on more and more responsibility throughout the course of the school year. During this time, you are also working on the necessary classroom requirements.

• Intern Pathway. As an intern, you are the primary teacher in the classroom. You're hired on salary and teach full-time. To qualify for an intern program, you need a bachelor's degree and pass a subject matter competency exam.

Both Residency and Intern Pathways can be intense. The Intern Route has the benefit of allowing you to earn money while you learn.

Do You Need a Teacher's License to Work in Private California Schools?

The short answer is that private schools are not required to hire teachers with education licenses. Private schools may hire candidates without the traditional credentials if said candidate complements their:

• Religious Mission

• General Education Philosophy

• Staffing Requirements

Generally speaking, however, most private schools want candidates with the same credentials that public schools do. 

The reason is simple. This is the best and clearest way to prove your ability as an educator. While you may be able to find work at a private school without a license, having one will help you stand out in your job hunt.

California’s Tiered System

California’s preliminary and clear credential system is somewhat unique. Even after you've gained your teaching license in California, you're still beholden to a credentialing structure staged in two parts. The tiers are:

• Preliminary Credential: This is your initial teaching license that you receive after achieving all of the coursework and observation milestones. It's a non-renewable license that is valid for five years, allowing you to work freely in California schools. During this time, you have two options. You can clear the teacher induction program. This is essentially a mentoring program that is embedded into the onboarding process for new hires. The other option is to pursue National Board Certification. This route is a little more complicated, involving a lengthy screening process. Most new teachers do not go this route, but some districts will reward National Board Certification with a salary bump. 

• Clear Credential: The clear credential is valid for five years, but can be renewed provided you're still in good standing.

Basically, the teacher induction program is a form of orientation designed to ensure that you're acclimating well to life as a teacher, while the clear credential is a full license.

Finding Work as a Teacher in California

California, like most states, has a high need for teachers. There are more than 10,000 open teaching jobs in the state, clearly indicating a significant shortage. 

This is great in that it provides lots of opportunities, but it's important to keep in mind that even though there are many jobs available, it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll have an easy time finding an ideal placement. 

Newly licensed educators are often surprised, for example, to find that they can't secure a placement conveniently located near them. 

It may be easy to find openings, but getting a placement at a specific school or district is harder. To increase your chances of finding a great initial placement, follow these steps:

• Write a Great Resume and Cover Letter: Highlight all of your experience working with children, or get creative with your skills. For example, if you previously worked in a job that required high-level communication or problem-solving, that is relevant experience schools would like to see. You can further improve your submission by obtaining letters of recommendation. Former employers are a good source, but also try to get letters from the teachers you worked with during your student teaching placement.

• Prepare for the Interview: Schools expect and require a lot from their new hires. They want teachers who will show up on time, present professionally, and do a good job. Dress well, be communicative, and get comfortable discussing your skills. Practice interviews with a friend, family member, or through your university career center can be extremely helpful.

• Follow Up: A polite follow-up call 10–14 days after the interview will help you stand out in the minds of key decision-makers. Keep in mind that they might speak with 8–12 candidates over two months. Even if your interview went very well, it's possible they won't remember you clearly without a follow-up call.

Make sure you continuously look for and apply to jobs. It may take ten or more applications to find a good placement, but with preparation and persistence, you'll get there eventually. 

To give yourself the best chances at success, consider signing up for Zen Educate. Not only will you find valuable resources like this one, but you'll also join a vibrant platform that helps with career placement.