the preliminary multiple subject credential
The Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential authorizes teaching in a self-contained classroom for grades K-12 and below; however, these are the usual credentials held by those in elementary and early childhood education.
- Required Tests/Assessments. Multiple Subject credentials require a passing score on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment Test (RICA). Credential candidates must also establish subject matter competence by passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), demonstrating competency in the Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs), and passing the PACT.
- State of California Clearance Requirement . It is a requirement by state law that every participant in a basic credential program undergoes a moral fitness/fingerprint clearance check by the California Commission onn Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Before being officially admitted to the Multiple Subject credential preparation program, you must have applied for and paid for a Certificate of Clearance to be issued by the CTC. That means you have done a live scan for CTC, turned the live scan in to the Credential Analyst so he can recommend you for a Certificate of Clearance, and then paid for the document in response to the recommendation. If you do not answer yes to one of the fitness questions, the document is usually issued in 1-3 days after payment. If a yes answer is supplied, clearance can take up to 6 months or more. The document must be issued prior to the start of any student teaching.
- Detailed information on state and college requirements for the credential can be obtained from the Credential Analyst.
