Elementary Education in California

Career descriptions

Elementary education degrees will prepare you to teach at an elementary school up through the sixth grade. An elementary school teacher needs to know multiple subjects such as math, language arts, reading, history and/or science. Because of this, potential teachers will have to complete a multiple subject teacher preparation program in order to teach at an elementary school. In addition to becoming a school teacher, counseling is another option; however that would require extra education and training, often a Master's Degree.

Certification and Educational requirements

To receive certification as a teacher in California, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential is required. First you must obtain a preliminary permit that is issued for up to five years, allowing you to teach in elementary schools. During those five years you need to obtain a clear credential. If you do not obtain the clear credential before the expiration of the preliminary permit, you won’t be able to teach in California’s public schools until the requirements are met and the document is renewed.
  • Preliminary credential requirements:
    1. Complete a Bachelor's degree or higher (except in professional education) from a regionally accredited college or university.
    2. Satisfy the basic skills requirement in one of 4 ways.
      • Pass the CBEST
      • Pass the CSET: Multiple Subject Plus Writing Skills Examination
      • Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement examinations
      • Pass a Basic Skills Examination from another state
    3. Complete a multiple subject teacher preparation program including successful student teaching, and obtain a formal recommendation for the credential by the California college or university where the program was completed.
    4. Verify subject matter competence by one of the following two methods:
      • Achieve a passing score on the appropriate subject matter examinations.
      • Complete a Commission-approved elementary subject matter program or equivalent. Obtain verification of completion from the authorized person in the education department of a California college or university with an accredited program. This option is only available to those individuals who completed the subject matter program and enrolled in a teacher preparation program prior to July 1, 2004.
    5. Pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment.
    6. Satisfy the Developing English Language Skills, including the Reading requirement by completing a comprehensive reading instruction course that includes the following: the systematic study of phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding; literature, language and comprehension; and diagnostic and early intervention techniques.
    7. Complete a course (two semester units or three quarter units) in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution or pass an examination given by a regionally-accredited college or university.
    8. Complete foundational computer technology course work that includes general and specialized skills in the use of computers in educational settings.
  • Clear credential requirements (three options):
    • Option 1:
        Complete a Commission-approved General Education Induction Program through an approved school district, county office of education, college or university, consortium, or private school. The induction program includes the advanced study of health education, special populations, computer technology, and teaching English learners.
    • Option 2:
        Complete a Commission-approved General Education Clear credential program completed at a California college or university, securing that institution’s formal recommendation for the clear credential. The following must also be verified with the application for the clear credential:
        • advanced coursework in health education that includes, but is not limited to, nutrition; the physiological and sociological effects of alcohol, narcotics, and drug abuse; and the use of tobacco
        • advanced coursework in the laws, methods, and requirements for providing educational opportunities to special populations in the regular classroom
        • advanced coursework in computer technology including the use of computers in educational settings
        • advanced coursework in teaching English learners
        Note: Option 2 is only available to holders of SB 2042 preliminary credentials issued prior to August 30, 2004. Holders of SB 2042 preliminary credentials issued on or after August 30, 2004 must complete Option 1.
    • Option 3:
        Teachers who are certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards in one of the qualifying subjects listed below will be issued a Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. This includes those who obtained National Board Certification after their California Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential was issued.


Now that you are a professional becoming certified to teach Elementary Education in California, please explore our cooresponding master's degree programs. Browse Programs Here