Q: What is the CBEST? A: CBEST is the California Basic Educational Skills Test which assesses reading, writing, and mathematics skills. This examination is required before applying for most California teaching and services credentials. Q: What is a teacher preparation program? A: Teacher preparation is a program of professional course work (including student teaching) which develops the skills needed for serving in the classroom. This includes course work in areas such as teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and classroom management. Q: What is subject matter competence and how does it differ from a teacher preparation program? A: Whereas teacher preparation is knowledge of HOW to teach, subject matter competence is knowledge of WHAT is taught. Subject matter competence is a requirement for all multiple and single subject credentials which assesses the prospective teacher's knowledge in the academic subject area that she or he will be teaching. This requirement is met either by completing specific examinations or by taking courses (in addition to the teacher preparation courses) in the academic subject area through a California college or university which has a Commission-approved program for that subject area. Q: What is RICA? A: The Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) is an examination designed to ensure that prospective teachers have acquired the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective reading instruction for K-8 students. Passage of RICA is required of all applicants for a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential after October 1, 1998. Some exemptions to taking the RICA examination exist. Please refer to The Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA): Why, What, When, and Who?; or the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Leaflet (CL-561for persons prepared outside of California, or CL-561C for persons prepared in California ) for more information. Q: How do I obtain subject matter equivalence from the Commission? A: The Commission does not have the authority to evaluate for subject matter competence. Such evaluations may only be performed by California colleges or universities which have Commission-approved subject matter programs. Q: I am a California resident and would like to obtain a credential to teach elementary or secondary school in California. What requirements do I need to complete? A: You will need to complete a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, the CBEST, a full teacher preparation program at a California college or university which has a Commission-approved credentialing program, and be recommended to the Commission by that college or university. Since each institution has developed their own program based upon Commission standards, you must speak to the credentialing office at the college or university to find out which specific courses you must complete in order to be recommended by that institution for a credential. Please refer to the Multiple Subject and Single Subject Teaching Credential, and the Institutions of Higher Education Having Approved Programs for California Credentials leaflets for further details. Q: What do I need to teach in California if I have elementary (or secondary) certification in another state? A: For preliminary certification you will need official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, a full teacher preparation program including student teaching in the area of certification requested, the CBEST, and verification of eligibility for full certification in the state where the program was completed. Please refer to the Multiple Subject and Single Subject Teaching Credential leaflets for more specific information, including details of renewal requirements. Q: What is the processing time for applications? A: The processing time for applications varies depending upon the workload. Generally, applications are processed in 8 to 12 weeks. Q: What is the processing time for fingerprints (after the application is processed by the Commission)? A: Again, this depends upon the workload of the FBI and Department of Justice. Currently, the Commission receives a response to fingerprint inquiries in about 4 months. Effective January 1, 1999, the Commission began accepting livescan fingerprint submissions. Livescan is a process whereby fingerprints are electronically transmitted to the FBI and Department of Justice. Response for fingerprints submitted via livescan has proven to be much quicker than traditional fingerprint cards. Check with the county office of education in your area regarding the availability of livescan for credentialing purposes. Q: Can you tell me which school districts in California have a need for teachers? A: The Commission issues certification for service in public schools, but does not maintain information regarding available positions or assist in job placement. You must contact the individual districts, counties, or agencies for information on employment opportunities. Please refer to the Placement Information leaflet for a list of the county offices of education along with their addresses and phone numbers. Q: I would like the Commission to waive some of the course work required for my credential based upon training and experience that I have had. How do I do that? A: The Commission does not have the authority to waive any course work required for certification. Q: The California university that I am attending is telling me that I must take four more courses for my professional clear credential but I feel that I have already completed everything for the credential. Can I apply directly to the Commission? A: No. California trained teachers must complete the course work required by their Commission-approved college or university. The Commission sets the standards for the programs. The institutions develop their programs based upon those guidelines and have the authority to require additional standards or courses beyond the minimum requirements set by the Commission. Q: What is the fee for renewal of my credential? A: Credential renewal requires a full application fee. Please see the Fee Information leaflet for the current application processing fee.