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Teaching Credential Programs

Applying for Your Credential

CREDENTIAL PROGRAM COMPLETERS UPDATE

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic restricting access to testing, the Governor has issued an Executive Order N-66-20 temporarily suspending the final TPA and RICA examination. 

If you have successfully completed all coursework and other credential requirements in our Multiple Subject, Single Subject or Education Specialist credential program, and the pandemic has prevented you from completing your final TPA and/or RICA, you may now apply for your Preliminary credential.  Once hired, your TPA and/or RICA will need to be completed during your induction program to obtain your Clear credential.

Please include a written statement with your credential application explaining why you were unable to take the RICA examination.

Questions: email Sherri Nakashima, Credential Analyst at sherrin@csufresno.edu.

After completing your program, you will need to submit an application for your teaching or services credential to the Credential Analyst in the Kremen School, ED-100. Do not send the Fresno State application directly to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC); you must apply through Fresno State.

Current Processing Fees:

  • $25 Fresno State processing fee.
  • $102.50 CTC processing fee will be paid online by credit/debit card. This fee will be less if you hold a valid Certificate of Clearance fee credit. 

Teacher Credential CSU Exit Survey:

Students completing the Multiple Subject, Single Subject and Education Specialist preliminary credential programs are asked to complete the CSU Exit Survey. Our Exit Survey code is: FSC.

Your feedback is valuable and will provide information to help improve our preparation programs. Please be reassured that your data will remain confidential, and that no candidate will be individually identified from the survey responses.

CalSTATE Teach Candidates: Please contact the CalSTATE TEACH office to obtain an application for your Preliminary credential, do not use the application below.

Individual Development Plan for Induction:

Upload a copy of your Individual Development Plan for Induction (IDP) to  your Tk20 account. Keep a copy for yourself and give a copy to your employing school district when you are enrolled in their induction program.  A copy must also need to be submitted to the Credential Analyst when you apply for your credential.

Please contact the Credential Analyst, Sherri Nakashima at sherrin@csufresno.edu for information regarding:

  • Adding on authorizations to existing credentials
  • Extension appeals on Intern, Preliminary or Level I credentials
  • Out of state program verification form

Center for Advising and Student Services
Kremen School of Education
and Human Development, Room 100

Credential Analyst:
Sherri Nakashima
Phone: 559.278.0300
sherrin@csufresno.edu

Mailing Address:
5005 N. Maple Ave., ED 301
Fresno, CA 93740-8025 

Credential Information Links

Be assured that your complete application will be processed as quickly as possible, usually within a few days; however, during peak periods such as January-March and June-September, it may take up to 15-20 working days.   

There are two fees:  Fresno State processing fee of $25 and a $102.50 Commission on Teacher Credentialing fee.  The CTC fee is paid online by credit or debit card after your credential recommendation is submitted online to CTC. If you hold a valid Certificate of Clearance, you will have a fee credit that will be applied to your credential, so the CTC fee will be less than $102.50.   If you are applying for a science or math credential, the $25 Fresno State fee will be waived.  Indicate this by writing "MSTI fee waiver" on your credential application. 

After the Credential Analyst completes the processing of your paperwork, your credential recommendation is submitted online to CTC.  A notification email is sent to you with instructions how to complete your part of the online process.  This includes answering professional fitness questions and paying your CTC fee.  After your fee is paid, CTC will send a second email, which can be printed off as proof your application is being processed. CTC reviews your answers to the professional fitness questions. If you answered "yes" to any of the questions, there will be a delay in processing as your application is reviewed by the Division of Professional Practices. As long as there are no issues with your professional fitness review, your credential will be issued by CTC within approximately 1-2 weeks and a final email with your document number will be sent to you. 

Credentials are valid for 5 years with the exception of the Preliminary Speech Language Pathology Services credential, which is valid for 2 years.   Administrative Services credentials are valid for five years--however, those credentials are tied to your prerequisite teaching or services credentials and will share the same expiration date. 

When hired in a full-time position teaching by a school district, you will be placed in a 2-year induction program to earn your Clear credential.  Fresno State does not offer a Clear induction program. Induction programs and costs vary by district. Once all induction program requirements are met, the candidate will then apply through their employer to the CCTC for the Clear credential.

Any CPR training that follows the American Heart Association or Red Cross guidelines is acceptable.  You will need to complete 3 levels of training:  infants, children and adults.  The only online CPR training provider we will accept is:  www.cprtoday.com. 

Once your application is submitted online and you pay your CTC fee, you will receive a confirmation email.  Print this out and register it at your local County Office of Education (COE) credentials department to obtain a TCC (temporary county certificate) for your employer.  You can also ask for a credential receipt at our front desk when you submit your credential application, while your employer may accept a credential receipt, the COE will not accept this as official proof your credential recommendation has been submitted to CTC. 

Yes, CSET and RICA scores are valid for ten years from the initial date of passage. Scores must be valid at the time you apply for your Preliminary credential. The only exception when an expired score can be used for a Preliminary credential is if the scores were previously used towards an Intern credential.

CBEST scores do not expire. 

If you already hold or held a Clear credential, please go to the CTC website at:  www.ctc.ca.gov and click on "Renew your Document" and follow the instructions.  You will need to create a User ID and password.

There are a couple ways to add on subject areas: supplementary authorizations or full credentials. There are different requirements if you hold a Multiple Subject credential and want to teach in a Single subject setting, or vice/versa.  Please contact the Credential Analyst for additional information.   See  "Credential Information Links" above for information on supplementary authorizations.