How to Become an Elementary School Teacher in California
| by Hannah Sparling
Elementary school teachers guide students through some of their most formative years. They teach children how to read, how to work and play together, how to be curious and creative. It’s difficult to imagine a more meaningful and rewarding career.
If you’re interested in becoming an elementary school teacher in California, this article is for you.
Comprehensive Guide on How to Become a Teacher in California
Rules and requirements for teachers vary by state, but they also vary depending on the subject and grades you want to teach. In California, educators can earn credentials for PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction, Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and Education Specialist Instruction, according to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
The process can feel a little daunting, especially if you’re just starting out or are a career changer switching to education. Moreland University has a guide on how to become a credentialed teacher in California. The guide will walk you through the process, covering the different types of teacher credentials in The Golden State, the steps to earning a credential, how to choose your Educator Preparation Program, and more.
What Do You Need to Be an Elementary School Teacher in California
California requires teachers to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, but that degree does not have to be in education.
California teachers also need to pass a series of state assessments and complete an Educator Preparation Program. Sometimes the EPP is part of the initial bachelor’s degree, and sometimes it’s separate.
The time it takes to become an elementary school teacher in California will vary from person to person. For some teachers, it’s a 4-year-process or longer as they earn their teaching credential at the same time they’re earning their bachelor’s degree.
For others, who already have a bachelor’s in something other than education, the path may be faster. Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, for example, can be completed in as little as 9 months. TEACH-NOW is fully accredited and 100% online, with rolling admissions, monthly start dates, and optional financing or payment plans.
Steps to Becoming an Elementary School Teacher in California
Reciprocity
California offers a wide range of Commission-approved Educator Preparation Programs, but the vast majority of these are in-state programs. If you complete an out-of-state EPP, like Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program, you can earn a teaching certification in another state and then transfer the credential to California. This process is called reciprocity, or out-of-state credentialing.
Here’s an example of the reciprocity process for a teacher with less than two years of experience who earns a certification in Arizona and transfers the credential to California.
Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree. This degree does not have to be in education.
Step 2: Complete an EPP. Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program is 100% online and can be completed in as little as 9 months.
Step 3: Pass the required Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA).
Step 4: Obtain a fingerprint clearance card.
Step 5: Submit your application for an Arizona certification.
Step 6: Apply to transfer the credential to California and complete any additional requirements to move the credential from Preliminary to Clear.
It’s important to note this is just one example of a potential path, and the specific steps may vary from person to person. For more detailed information, visit the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website.
In-State Certification Proces
If you choose an in-state EPP in California, the process to earning your teaching credential looks similar:
Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree.
Step 2: Complete an EPP.
Step 3: Meet the Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST or alternative).
Step 4: Demonstrate subject-matter competence (CSET or approved program).
Step 5: Complete a background check, including fingerprinting.
Step 6: Apply for your credential and complete any additional requirements to move the credential from Preliminary to Clear.
Again, this is just an example of a potential path to a teacher credential. For more detailed information, visit the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website.
Why Reciprocity Might Make Sense for You
You might consider reciprocity, or out-of-state credentialing, if you’re currently in another state but are planning a move to California. Or maybe you prefer an EPP that’s not on California’s list. It could be an online program to help you earn your credential faster, like Moreland’s 9-month TEACH-NOW program. It could be a program that comes highly recommended by a mentor or another educator you trust. It could be a program that costs less or has better options for financing or payment plans.
Every teacher is different, and it’s important to carefully consider your career goals and your individual wants and needs as you plan your path to the classroom.
Can You Become an Elementary School Teacher in California Without a Teaching Degree?
California requires teachers to have a bachelor’s degree, but that degree does not have to be in education. If you initially studied something else in college but have since realized your passion for teaching, you don’t have to start over.
Moreland University has a webpage that explores how you could earn your California teacher credential online, particularly through reciprocity, or out-of-state credentialing. It covers the pathways to teaching in The Golden State, details about the different types of credentials, the application process, and more.
If you’re considering a teaching career in California, you’re in a great position. For elementary school teachers alone, California is projecting 4% growth in job openings by 2032, compared to 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s 10,900 open jobs for elementary school teachers each year.
The bottom line is California needs teachers. And it’s a meaningful, rewarding career with an abundance of opportunity. Are you ready to take the leap?
Earn your professional teaching certification in as little as 9 months with Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program. TEACH-NOW is fully accredited and 100% online, with rolling admissions, monthly start dates, and optional payment plans or financing.
The no-cost application takes about 15 minutes to complete, and you typically hear back within 2 business days.
