How to Become a High School Teacher in California

Thinking about teaching high school in California? The Golden State offers some of the best salaries in the country, plenty of job opportunities, and the chance to shape young minds during a pivotal time in their lives.

This blog outlines exactly what you need to become a high school teacher in California, the steps you’ll take to get there, and how to get started even if your degree isn’t in education.

Comprehensive Guide on How to Become a Teacher in California

Becoming a high school teacher in California follows the same general path as other teaching roles. The main difference is high school teachers need a Single Subject Teaching Credential, which authorizes you to teach a specific subject in grades 9-12.

Our how to become a teacher in California guide breaks down everything you need to know about the state’s credentialing pathways and types, out-of-state reciprocity, testing requirements, and the application process. It’s a great starting point for understanding the overall process of becoming a teacher in the Golden State, no matter the grade level.

What Do You Need to Be a High School Teacher in California?

California high school teachers need a bachelor’s degree, a Single Subject Teaching Credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), a cleared background check, and proof that they know their subject matter. That last piece usually comes from passing the relevant California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET).

If you’re starting from a high school diploma and don’t have a bachelor’s degree yet, plan on it taking about 4 years to earn your California teaching credential.

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than education, you don’t have to start from scratch. Completing an alternative Educator Preparation Program (EPP) can help you earn your credential much faster. Moreland University’s 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in just 9 months, student teaching included.

Note: TEACH-NOW is an out-of-state EPP in California, so you would earn your credential through another state and then transfer it into California using the CTC’s out-of-state reciprocity process (more details below).

Steps to Becoming a High School Teacher in California

Reciprocity Pathway

California recognizes that not every teacher’s path looks the same, so the state offers several ways to earn a credential. Teachers who complete an out-of-state EPP and bring their credential into California through reciprocity can follow one of three routes, based on how much teaching experience they already have:

• Route 1 is for teachers with a professional-level license and less than 2 years of experience (including those with only student teaching experience).
• Route 2 is for teachers with 2 or more years of full-time experience, verified through a letter from your employer and satisfactory performance evaluations.
• Route 3 is for teachers who hold National Board Certification.

Here’s what Route 1 looks like in practice, using Washington, D.C., as the out-of-state example:

1. Earn your bachelor’s degree. It doesn’t have to be in education.
2. Complete an EPP, such as Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW program. TEACH-NOW is 100% online and can be finished in as little as 9 months, including student teaching.
3. Pass the required certification exams for D.C. These depend on the subject and grade you want to teach. For example, an aspiring high school English teacher would take the English content exam and the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) test for grades 7-12.
4. Submit fingerprints for a background check and apply for your D.C. teaching license.
5. Apply to transfer your D.C. credential to California using the CTC’s out-of-state reciprocity process. Because this is a Route 1 application, you won’t need experience verification or performance evaluations — just the license and proof of your bachelor’s degree.
6. Complete any remaining requirements. If California asks for coursework or an exam your D.C. preparation didn’t cover, you would complete those at this stage.

This is just one example of a pathway to a California teacher credential through an out-of-state EPP. For a full breakdown, visit the CTC’s page on out-of-state teacher preparation, or see Moreland’s California credentialing guide for a detailed walkthrough of all three routes.

In-State Pathway

Earning your teaching credential through a California-based EPP requires similar steps:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree.
2. Complete an approved in-state Educator Preparation Program (EPP).
3. Pass the required exams and demonstrate subject matter competence. California requires high school teachers to pass a series of assessments that usually include a basic educational skills test (such as the CBEST) and subject-area exams (such as the CSET). The specific tests vary based on the subject and grades you want to teach.
4. Clear a background check.
5. Apply for your teaching credential.

New teachers typically receive a Preliminary Credential, which is valid for 5 years.

Again, this is one example of a potential path to becoming a high school teacher in California. For more information, visit the CTC’s credential requirements page.

Why Reciprocity Might Make Sense for You

Before choosing an EPP, it’s worth understanding your priorities. Is finishing a program quickly your main concern? Do you value flexibility? Would you rather learn in person or online?

For some aspiring teachers, an in-state California program is a good fit. Others might feel like an out-of-state option is a better match.

Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW is a popular choice for career changers and other aspiring California teachers because the fully online, 9-month format is designed to fit into a working adult’s busy schedule. Since you earn the same credential no matter the route you choose, it’s really just about which program best fits your life.

Can You Become a High School Teacher in California Without a Teaching Degree?

Yes, you can absolutely become a high school teacher in California without a teaching degree. As long as you hold a bachelor’s degree in any subject, you can earn your credential through an alternative Educator Preparation Program (EPP) without completing a new degree.

Moreland University’s California teacher certification program online offers a flexible, fully accredited path to certification designed for career changers and aspiring teachers. The 9-month TEACH-NOW program includes clinical learning (student teaching) and offers dedicated mentorship to give you everything you need to lead a classroom with confidence.

Again, because Moreland is an out-of-state program, you’d earn your certification in another state or Washington, D.C., then transfer your credential to California through reciprocity. Read our blog, Out-of-State Credentialing for California Teachers, to get a full overview of the reciprocity process.

Moreland University Supports California Teachers

With a bachelor’s degree, the right preparation program, and a few exams under your belt, you can be teaching in a Golden State classroom sooner than you think. And with the state’s competitive salaries and strong demand for educators, there’s never been a better time to become a high school teacher in California.

Ready to take the next step? Complete your free application to Moreland University now. It takes less than 15 minutes to apply, and most applicants hear back within 2 business days.

You can also request more information to explore how Moreland can help you build a thriving teaching career.

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