Testing and Requirements
When applying for credential programs, students will need to demonstrate:
1. Knowledge of the subject you want to teach
2. Knowledge of basic educational skills.
Subject-Matter Competency Requirement
As of August 2024, there are five ways to satisfy subject-matter competency in the state of California.
- via Degree in the exact subject that you wish to teach (baccalaureate or higher, must be a CTC approved major)
- via Exam (CSET)
- via Coursework
- via Subject Matter Preparation Program
- via Coursework and Exam Combination
The UCLA Teacher Education Program provides details.
**Note that if your major is not an exact match to the approved CTE list for your subject, or you wish to teach a subject other than your major (or in addition to), then you might need to take the CSET exams. Consult with each credential program directly about your options, prior to applying.
Basic Skills Requirement
As of June 29, 2024, applicants to a teacher preparation program can use their bachelor’s degree to demonstrate evidence of the basic skills requirement. The bachelor’s degree must be from a regionally accredited institution of higher education within the United States.
Completing a bachelor’s degree from UCLA will satisfy the requirement.
Otherwise, you must pass the CBEST exam, or meet other minimum scores on SAT, ACT or select AP tests, or other options.
See UCLA Teacher Education Program for details.
US Constitution Requirement
The California Education Code (Section 44355) requires all candidates for a teaching credential to demonstrate knowledge about the United States Constitution. This requirement must be completed before the credential can be granted, therefore it is wise to plan ahead.
You may either take an online exam or pass an approved college-level course. The UCLA approved courses are Hist 13A, Hist 13B, Hist 13C, Hist 143A, Hist 143B, or Pol Sci 40. *The CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing will not accept AP credit for this requirement.
Reimbursement for CSET for UCLA Cal Teach Students
Contingent upon continued funding, the UCLA Cal Teach program will reimburse UCLA Cal Teach students who successfully pass the CSET exams, if fees are charged. To be reimbursed, you must have taken the exam while enrolled as a UCLA student, be a math or science major, and have taken at least one UCLA Cal Teach course or internship (i.e. Science Education 1XL, 10XL, 15XL, 100XL, Math 73XP, 74XP, 75XP, or summer internship). We reimburse for CSET Single Subject exams in math or science. We will potentially reimburse for CSET Multiple Subjects under limited circumstances for math or science majors. Please contact us at cateach@chem.ucla.edu for more information. To be reimbursed, you will need to email us a copy of your test result showing that you passed, and a copy of the receipt showing that you paid the associated fees. Please note that we cannot reimburse for late fees as per University policy.