Contra Costa County Office of Education

The Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) serves as the local agency approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) to process the credentials applications and temporary county certificates of certificated staff hired by county school districts for positions requiring administrative, teaching, service and special education credentials as well as other permits and certificates.

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Becoming a Credentialed Teacher in California

Teachers must be certified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) in order to be employed by a California public school. Once an individual completes all requirements for certification in California, he or she may apply for and receive a California teaching credential.

Multiple Subject Credential: Elementary School

In California, the appropriate credential to teach in an elementary school setting is the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. This credential authorizes public school teaching in a self-contained classroom in preschool, kindergarten, grades 1 through 12, and classes organized primarily for adults. A self-contained classroom is most often found at the elementary school level.

Single Subject Credential: Middle/High School

The appropriate credential to teach a single subject in a departmentalized classroom, such as Math or English at the middle school or high school level, is the Single Subject Teaching Credential. This credential authorizes public school teaching in a departmentalized classroom in preschool, kindergarten, grades 1 through 12, and classes organized primarily for adults.

How to Get a Copy of Your Credential

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) no longer prints nor mails a physical document to credential or permit holders. If you need a physical copy of your credential or permit, you will need to print a copy from the CTC website. Print a copy that includes the document number, effective dates, authorization codes, and renewal codes.

How to Renew Permits and Credentials

Substitute permits, some child development permits, and all professional, professional clear and clear credentials must be renewed online through the CTC website (see instructions below) Renewing online three months prior to the expiration date usually allows enough time for the document to be granted and downloaded to our payroll system. Be sure to print the last screen containing the 16-digit confirmation number. The confirmation of payment screen will allow us to activate Temporary County Certificate in the payroll system, alleviating the concern about a pay hold.

If you are working and your credential or permit is due to expire but the commission's website won't allow you to renew online, you will need to renew with form and fee. You employing school district will need: a copy of the CTC screen stating that there is an error, a $100 money order payable to CTC, and a 41-4 Application for Credential form.

If you are working and your credential or permit has expired, you will need to process your renewal application through Human Resources in the district where you are working, because your pay may be in jeopardy of being held They will need: a $100 money order payable to CTC and a 41-4 Application for Credential form.

If you are not working and the Commission's website won't allow you to renew online, you will need to renew with form and fee. You can apply direct to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. You will need to submit the CTC screen stating that there is an error, a $100 money order payable to CTC, and a completed 41-4 Application for Credential form.

Substitute Teacher Requirements

The minimum requirements for substitute teaching assignments are a Bachelor Degree and passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). If you meet these requirements, you may apply for an Emergency 30-Day Substitute Permit. The substitute permit is valid for one year and will allow you to substitute teach on a day-to-day basis for up to 30 days in the same classroom. 20 days in a Special Education classroom. More information can be found on the CCTC Web Site at www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/CREDS/substitute.html

Designated Subject Credentials

Designated Subjects Credentials authorize teaching or service in technical, trade, or vocational courses or in courses organized primarily for adults. The requirements generally include experience in the subject. View a downloadable list of approved designated subjects credential programs here

More information can also be found on the CCTC Web Site at www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/CREDS/adult-voc-ed.html

CBEST/Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)

The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is administered by the National Evaluation Systems (NES). The exam consists of basic reading, writing and math skills. Information and registration for the CBEST exam are available online at http://www.cbest.nesinc.com. You may also contact NES by phone at 916-928-4001. The test is given approximately every other month. Teaching or Service Credentials require passage of CBEST, CSET: Multiple Subject Plus the Writing Examination or other approved BSR exams before an application will be accepted if you are California trained.

• CBEST California Basic Education Skills Test

Exams Including Subject Matter Competence

Subject Matter Competence - The subject area listed on the out-of-state credential authorization must correspond to a California subject area in order for the Commission to issue a credential. If the subject(s) listed on the out-of-state credential are other than "elementary teaching" or "self-contained teaching", a preliminary credential will be issued but the applicant will be required to meet California subject matter requirements before the clear credential may be issued. For greater detail about subject matter competence, refer to CTC leaflet CL-674M (multiple subject) or CL-674S (single subject)

• CTEL California Teachers of English Learners

• CSET California Subjects Examination for Teachers

• RICA Reading Instruction Competence Assessment

• SLLA School Leaders Licensure Assessment

Fingerprinting Requirements (Livescanning)

Before beginning paid service, California public school employees must be fingerprinted and a criminal background clearance must be received by the employing school district. Electronic fingerprinting (Livescan) results normally take one to two weeks after the Department of Justice receives the fingerprints. Criminal background check results can take up to four weeks.

Livescan services are available at the Contra Costa County Office of Education by appointment only. Please phone 925.942.5312 for an appointment.

Individuals who have been convicted of serious and/or violent crimes are precluded from being hired by California public school districts. Individuals who are awaiting trial for serious and/or violent crimes are also precluded from rendering service in California public schools until the matter has been legally concluded.

New Fingerprint Requirement

The amendments to subsection © of 5 CCR §80442 require individuals to resubmit their fingerprint information if all documents held have been expired for eighteen months or more when applying for a new document, renewal of an expired document, or when specifically requested by the Commission.

Fee Information

The application processing fee for substitute permits, child development permits and teaching credentials is $100. There is a $15 processing fee if you are a non-CCCOE employee. This fee must be submitted in the form of a money order or cashier’s check. The $100 fee is made payable to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and $15 fee is made payable to CCCOE. No personal checks will be accepted.

Application Fees (effective July 1, 2012)

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