Written by the 240 Tutoring team. Certification rules and exam fees change — confirm current details directly with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (ctc.ca.gov) and the California Educator Credentialing Examinations portal (ctcexams.nesinc.com) before registering for an exam or applying for credentialing.
The short version
To become a public school teacher in California, you'll earn a bachelor's degree, complete a Commission-approved teacher preparation program, satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement (most commonly by passing the CBEST), demonstrate subject matter competence (most commonly by passing one or more CSET subtests or completing an approved subject matter program), pass the California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA) through your program, and apply for a Preliminary Teaching Credential through the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Most candidates take two exams: CBEST for basic skills, and CSET in their subject area. You'll only take the CTEL if you're pursuing an English Learner authorization. California recently replaced the RICA reading exam with a Literacy Performance Assessment that's now integrated into the CalTPA — so for new candidates, there's no separate reading exam to take.
The whole path typically takes four to five years if you start fresh out of high school, or one to two years if you already have a bachelor's degree and use an alternative pathway like an intern credential.
Bottom Line:
Becoming a teacher in California means a bachelor's degree, a Commission-approved preparation program, the CBEST and CSET exams (CTEL too if you want an EL authorization), and the CalTPA performance assessment. Plan on four to five years from scratch, or one to two if you already have a degree.
The five-step path
California's certification system has a reputation for being confusing. It's not — but it does have more pieces than most states. Here's the actual path, in order.
Step 1: Earn a bachelor's degree
Any accredited bachelor's degree counts. It doesn't have to be in education. Many California teachers majored in their subject area (English, math, biology) and then went into a teacher preparation program afterward.
If you're still choosing a major and you know you want to teach, two options work well: major in the subject you want to teach, or major in something like Liberal Studies that's designed to satisfy California's subject matter requirements for elementary teachers.
Step 2: Complete a Commission-approved teacher preparation program
This is the part that gives California its reputation for complexity. You can't just take the exams and apply for a credential — you have to complete a preparation program approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Three main routes:
- Traditional university-based program (typically one to two years, often with student teaching as the capstone)
- Post-baccalaureate program (for candidates who already have a degree)
- Intern or district intern program (you teach full-time on an intern credential while completing coursework — covered in detail in the Alternative Pathways section below)
Your preparation program is also where you'll complete the CalTPA (more on this below) and any required coursework on the U.S. Constitution and English Learner instruction.
Step 3: Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement
California requires every teacher candidate to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics. Most candidates do this by passing the CBEST. But it's not the only option — and it's worth knowing the alternatives, because some of them save you a test fee.
Ways to satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement:
- Pass the CBEST
- Pass the CSET Multiple Subjects exam plus the CSET Writing Skills exam
- Qualifying SAT, ACT, or AP scores (specifics vary; check with the CTC)
- Passing scores on California State University placement exams
- A passing score on a basic skills exam from another state
Most candidates take the CBEST because it's the cheapest and quickest. If you're already planning to take the CSET Multiple Subjects (for elementary teaching), the Writing Skills + Multiple Subjects combo can be more efficient than adding the CBEST on top.
Step 4: Demonstrate subject matter competence
This is the CSET — California Subject Examinations for Teachers. Which subtests you take depends on what you want to teach.
- Elementary (Multiple Subject Credential): CSET Multiple Subjects, three subtests covering reading/language arts/history, science/math, and visual/performing arts/physical education/human development
- Secondary (Single Subject Credential): CSET in your subject area — English, mathematics, science, social science, foreign language, art, music, PE, etc.
- Education Specialist (special education): CSET Multiple Subjects plus your specialty area requirements
You can also satisfy subject matter competence by completing a CTC-approved subject matter program at a California university instead of taking the CSET. If you're going through a traditional preparation program, ask whether your program includes a subject matter waiver.
Step 5: Pass the CalTPA and apply for your Preliminary Credential
The CalTPA (California Teaching Performance Assessment) is a video-based performance assessment you complete during student teaching. It has two cycles, and as of 2025, one of those cycles is the Literacy Performance Assessment — California's replacement for the retired RICA exam.
Once you've completed your preparation program, passed your exams, and passed both CalTPA cycles, your program will recommend you for a Preliminary Teaching Credential. That credential is good for five years. During those five years, you'll complete a teacher induction program (handled by your school district) to convert it to a Clear Credential, which is good for another five and renewable.
The California exam stack: what you'll actually take
Three exams matter for most California candidates. Here's what each is, who takes it, and what it costs.
CBEST — California Basic Educational Skills Test
- Who takes it: most candidates, unless you qualify for an alternative (see Step 3 above).
- What it covers: reading (50 multiple-choice questions), mathematics (50 multiple-choice), and writing (two essays). Each subtest is scored separately.
- Cost: $30 per subtest, or $90 if you register for all three at once. (Source: ctcexams.nesinc.com, verified May 2026.)
- Passing score: 41 per subtest, with a combined total of 123 across all three. You can pass two subtests and retake just the one you failed.
- Good to know: CBEST scores never expire. Pass it once, you're done.
CSET — California Subject Examinations for Teachers
- Who takes it: most candidates, unless your preparation program waives the CSET requirement through a Commission-approved subject matter program.
- What it covers: depends on which credential you're pursuing. CSET Multiple Subjects (three subtests) for elementary. CSET single-subject exams for secondary. Specific subtests for specialty areas like art, music, PE, and world languages.
- Cost: varies by subject. Most single-subject and individual subtests are $99. CSET Multiple Subjects is $99 per subtest or $247 for all three combined. CSET Writing Skills is $63. (Source: ctcexams.nesinc.com, verified May 2026.)
- Good to know: the Multiple Subjects combined registration saves you $50 versus taking the three subtests separately — but you only get 5 hours total for all three, so plan accordingly.
CTEL — California Teacher of English Learners
- You'll only need the CTEL if you're pursuing the CLAD (Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development) authorization or specific English Learner credentials. Most California teacher candidates don't take it. If you're working toward a general Multiple Subject or Single Subject credential and your preparation program already includes EL coursework, you won't need the CTEL separately.
- What it covers: three subtests on language and language development, assessment and instruction, and culture and inclusion.
- Cost: $97 per subtest, three subtests total. (Source: ctcexams.nesinc.com, verified May 2026.)
The performance assessment: CalTPA
California is one of a handful of states that requires teacher candidates to pass a performance-based assessment in addition to subject-matter exams. The default model is the CalTPA — and it's not optional. It's the gate between your preparation program and your Preliminary Credential.
What it is
The CalTPA is a two-cycle, video-based assessment you complete during student teaching. You'll record yourself teaching real lessons to real students, then submit those videos along with written analyses of your planning, instruction, and student learning. Each cycle takes most candidates several weeks of preparation.
As of July 1, 2025, one of the two CalTPA cycles is the Literacy Performance Assessment — the replacement for the RICA exam, which was retired October 31, 2025. Candidates pursuing Multiple Subject and Education Specialist credentials will complete the Literacy Cycle as part of their CalTPA. Candidates pursuing a Single Subject credential complete a subject-area cycle instead.
What it costs
$150 per cycle, $300 total for both cycles. If you have to resubmit a cycle (which happens), it's another $150 per resubmission. (Source: ctcexams.nesinc.com, verified May 2026.)
Important: your program may use a different model
California permits three Commission-approved TPA models — CalTPA, edTPA, and FAST (Fresno Assessment of Student Teachers). Most programs use the CalTPA, but if yours uses edTPA or FAST, the cost and format will differ. Check with your program directly to confirm which model you'll be completing and what it costs.
Important: 240 Tutoring does not cover the CalTPA
The CalTPA isn't a content exam — it's a performance assessment based on your actual teaching. There's no study guide that can prepare you for it the way a CBEST or CSET guide can. Your preparation program is where you'll get CalTPA support, including video review, written feedback, and practice with the scoring rubrics. 240 covers the multiple-choice exams; your program covers the performance assessment.
Alternative pathways
Not every California teacher starts with a traditional university program. Several alternative routes exist for career changers and people who already hold a bachelor's degree.
Intern credential
If you have a bachelor's degree and you've passed the CBEST and your CSET, you can apply for a University Intern Credential. This lets you teach full-time as the teacher of record while you complete your preparation program coursework in the evenings or on weekends. You're paid as a teacher and your district often provides mentor support.
District intern program
Similar to the university intern path, but the preparation program is run by the school district itself instead of a university. Used most often in high-need subject areas (math, science, special education, bilingual education) and in districts with persistent staffing needs.
Teacher residency
A growing model where you spend a year as a co-teacher alongside a mentor teacher while completing your credential coursework. Residencies pay less than intern positions during the residency year, but candidates often report feeling more prepared at the end of it.
Out-of-state reciprocity
If you already hold a valid teaching credential from another state, California has reciprocity options that can shorten the path significantly. You may still need to complete some California-specific requirements (the CBEST or its alternatives, U.S. Constitution coursework, English Learner authorization), but you often won't need to start over. The CTC's Out-of-State Prepared Teacher pathway is the place to start — apply through ctc.ca.gov.
What California teachers earn
California teachers are paid more, on average, than teachers in any other state. The reasons are structural: a strong collective bargaining law, a large school-age population, and a high cost of living that requires higher base pay to attract qualified teachers.
| Measure | California |
|---|---|
| Average teacher salary | $103,552 |
| Average starting teacher salary | $59,424 |
| Average top teacher salary | $118,850 |
| National rank (average salary) | #1 in the nation |
Source: National Education Association 2024–2025 Rankings and Estimates and Teacher Salary Benchmark Report, published April 2026. Verified May 2026.
A few honest caveats:
- California's cost of living is among the highest in the country. A $59,424 starting salary in a Central Valley district stretches a lot further than the same number in San Francisco or Los Angeles.
- Salaries vary significantly by district. Bay Area, coastal Southern California, and high-cost districts pay well above the state average. Rural districts and many inland Empire districts pay closer to the national average.
- Top-of-scale salaries assume 20+ years of experience, often with a master's degree. New teachers won't see those numbers for a long time.
What the path actually costs
Beyond your degree itself, here's what California teacher certification costs in state fees and required exams.
- CBEST: $90 (all three subtests) or $30 per subtest
- CSET: $63–$247 depending on which exam(s) you take
- CTEL: $291 ($97 × 3 subtests) if you need it; most candidates don't
- CalTPA: $300 ($150 × 2 cycles), plus $150 per resubmission if needed
- Credential application fees: typically $100–$200, depending on credential type and processing route
Total state fees for a typical candidate (CBEST + CSET + CalTPA + credential application) usually land between $575 and $875. Add fingerprinting and incidental processing fees, and you're looking at $700–$1,000 total in state-imposed costs.
Preparation program tuition is a separate (and much larger) cost. Alternative routes (intern programs, district programs) typically cost $3,000–$6,000. Traditional university-based preparation programs can run $15,000 to $55,000 per year, depending on whether you attend a public university, a private university, or pursue a master's degree alongside your credential.
Exam fees can change and California sometimes offers fee waivers for eligible residents — verify current costs and any waiver eligibility at ctcexams.nesinc.com before you register.
A real note on California's complexity
California's teacher certification system has more pieces than most states' systems do. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the exam vendor (Pearson/Evaluation Systems), and individual preparation programs each own different parts of the path. Information that's accurate today can shift in the next budget cycle.
The biggest recent change: the RICA reading exam was retired October 31, 2025, and replaced by the Literacy Performance Assessment that's now embedded in the CalTPA. If you started a preparation program before July 1, 2025, your program may still have RICA on your path. If you're starting now, you won't take RICA — you'll complete the Literacy Cycle within your CalTPA. This transition has confused even program administrators, so if anyone tells you confidently that California requires the RICA, double-check the date of their information.
The other thing worth being honest about: your preparation program is the single biggest factor in how complicated or straightforward your path feels. Some programs walk you through every requirement step by step. Others assume you'll figure out the credential application, the CalTPA scheduling, and the subject matter waiver process on your own. Ask hard questions during your program search.
Frequently Asked Questions
Four to five years from scratch (a bachelor's degree plus a preparation program), or one to two years if you already have a bachelor's degree and use an intern credential or post-baccalaureate program. Alternative pathways are faster but more intense — you're teaching full-time while completing coursework.
No. The CBEST is the most common way to satisfy California's Basic Skills Requirement, but you can also satisfy it with qualifying SAT, ACT, or AP scores; CSU placement exams; passing both the CSET Multiple Subjects and CSET Writing Skills; or a passing basic skills exam from another state. Check the CTC's current list of approved alternatives before paying for the CBEST.
Yes. You can retake any CTC exam as many times as you need to. The waiting period between attempts is 45 days for most exams. You'll pay the registration fee each time, so being prepared before your testing day matters.
No. The RICA was retired October 31, 2025 and replaced by the Literacy Performance Assessment, which is now integrated into the CalTPA. Candidates who started preparation programs before July 1, 2025 may have completed RICA already. Candidates starting now will complete the Literacy Cycle within their CalTPA instead.
Sometimes. California has reciprocity options for out-of-state certified teachers through the CTC's Out-of-State Prepared Teacher pathway. You may still need to complete some California-specific requirements like the CBEST (or its alternatives), U.S. Constitution coursework, and possibly an English Learner authorization. Start at ctc.ca.gov to see what your specific situation requires.
No — a bachelor's degree plus a Commission-approved preparation program is the minimum. But many California teachers pursue a master's degree because it can move them up the district salary scale, often substantially. Some preparation programs combine credential coursework with a master's degree in one package.
Yes. A bachelor's degree in any subject works, as long as you complete a Commission-approved preparation program afterward. Many California teachers majored in their subject area (English, biology, history) and went into teaching through a post-baccalaureate program or an intern credential.
The Preliminary Credential is your first credential, valid for five years. During those five years, you'll complete a teacher induction program through your school district to convert it to a Clear Credential, which is valid for five more years and is renewable. Most new teachers get their Clear Credential within two to three years of starting their first job.
Next steps
The fastest way to see where you stand on the California exams is to take a free practice test in the area you're planning to teach. It takes about an hour, gives you a real read on your starting point, and tells you whether you need months of preparation or a few weeks of focused review.
A free practice test gives you a real read on your starting point — about an hour, no signup required.
Sources: ctc.ca.gov, ctcexams.nesinc.com, and NEA 2024–2025 Rankings and Estimates. Verified May 2026.
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