Career Technical Education (CTE) FAQs

FAQ Pod

The current industry sectors in which you can earn a CTE credential are: 

Eligibility

We have two different offerings of the CTE credential program. Prospective students for each group MUST have at least one year of relevant work experience. 

  1. Those who are currently enrolled in a teaching credential program OR those who already possess a teaching credential.
  2. Those who would like to move from the industry to teaching CTE AND DO NOT have a teaching credential. 

Defining and Documenting Work Experience

How is work experience defined? Three years or 3,000 hours of work directly related to the industry sector in which you plan to get your CTE credential.

You must have at least one year or 1,000 hours of experience within the last five years, or two years within the last 10 years. This can be paid, unpaid, full-time, part-time combined, employed by a company or self-employed. 

What if I don’t have the full three years of work experience? That’s ok, but you must have at least one year of work experience related to the CTE industry sector. The CTC allows substitutions to get to the three years of work experience.

If you’ve completed up to 48 semester units of postsecondary vocational training related to the industry sector(s) named on the credential, the CTC will accept that as a substitution for up to two of the three years of work experience required.

Additionally, one of the following may be used as one year of work experience toward meeting the three years of required experience:

  • Possession of an advanced industry certificate related to the industry sector to be named on the preliminary credential, as determined by a Commission-approved CTE program sponsor.
  • One year of full-time general education teaching experience providing instructional services in preschool or grades K-12 earned in a public or private school of equivalent status.

How should I document my work experience?

Verification of work experience means written confirmation of the applicant’s qualifying experience, signed by the applicant’s past or present employer(s) on company letterhead that attests to and/or includes ALL of the following:

  1. Employer’s name, address, and telephone number.
  2. The working relationship of the person signing the verification to the applicant.
  3. Beginning and ending dates of employment.
  4. A complete description of duties.
  5. A statement as to whether or not the employment was full-time. If employment was less than full-time, an accounting of the number of hours the applicant was employed is required.

What if I’m counting self-employment?

If you were self-employed or if your experience was avocational, verification shall include a statement, signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury, detailing the information described in 1–5 above, and must be further substantiated, in writing, by another person(s) having first-hand knowledge of the applicant’s self-employment or avocation, such as the applicant’s accountant, major supplier of goods, or major user of goods or services.

This means we’ll need to collect written pieces from individuals/businesses you’ve done work with stating the number of hours completed on the job/project. You may also submit your business card/business license, or any other piece of documentation to support your self-employment.

Requirements for 3-year Preliminary Credential

Individuals must satisfy ALL of the following requirements: 

  1. Three years of work experience directly related to each industry sector to be named on the credential. One year equals a minimum of 1,000 clock hours and the experience may be full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid. 
  2. High school diploma requirement by one of the following methods: Possess a high school diploma; possess a diploma based on passage of the GED Test; or possess the foreign equivalent of a high school diploma. As a program, we will verify you’ve met this requirement when you upload your diploma, GED, or bachelor’s degree as part of the application process.
  3. Verification, signed by the Commission-approved program sponsor, that the applicant has been apprised of the requirements for both the preliminary and clear credentials, including the requirements of the program of personalized preparation.
  4. Completed application (Form 41-4). The program coordinator will send a simpler, modified version of this form. 
  5. Completed Live Scan receipt (41-LSOpen PDF in current window), verifying fingerprints have been taken and fees have been paid unless fingerprint clearance is already on file with the Commission.*
  6. Application processing fee. 
  7. Recommendation by a Commission-approved CTE program sponsor. You will receive this from the program when the Credential Analyst recommends you for your preliminary credential.

* You must create your educator profile on the CTC’s website first. Then you must complete fingerprinting/LiveScan. You must then pay for your Certificate of Clearance. It is important that you complete fingerprinting and the Certificate of Clearance within the same week. 

Clearing your Preliminary CTE Credential

Individuals must satisfy ALL of the following requirements:

  1. Possess a valid California Preliminary CTE Teaching Credential (three-year or five-year).
  2. Commission-approved program of personalized preparation that includes training in Specially Designed Academic Instruction Delivered in English (SDAIE).
  3. Verify completion of one of the following: Two years of successful teaching on the basis of the Preliminary CTE Teaching Credential in the industry sector(s) listed on the credential OR a Commission-approved program of advanced personalized preparation as determined by the program sponsor agency.
  4. U.S. Constitution requirement by one of the following methods: Complete a course (at least two semester units or three quarter units) in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution. Submit a copy of the course description for evaluation purposes OR pass an examination in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution, given by a regionally-accredited college or university. NOTE: we will verify you’ve met this requirement when you upload your bachelor’s degree with your application. If not met, we will communicate options to you for completing this requirement.
  5. Health education, including, but not limited to, the study of nutrition; the physiological and sociological effects of abuse of alcohol, narcotics, and drugs, and the use of tobacco. This requirement must also include training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that covers infant, child, and adult CPR skills. (The program coordinator will send you a list of health education courses available nearby. You will need to seek an adult & infant CPR course on your own. Please submit proof of completion of both items to the program coordinator.)
  6. Complete study in computer-based technology, including the uses of technology in educational settings. This is embedded in our CTE program.
  7. Completed application (Form 41-4). The program coordinator will send a simpler, modified version of this form.
  8. Application processing fee.
  9. Recommendation by a Commission-approved CTE program sponsor. 

Fingerprinting (LiveScan) as a part of the Certificate of Clearance process

Fingerprint clearance through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is required from every applicant prior to the Commission’s issuance of any credential, permit, certificate, or waiver.

The Certificate of Clearance (C.O.C.) is a document issued by the Commission to an individual who has completed the Commission’s fingerprint character and identification process, and whose moral and professional fitness has been shown to meet the standards as established by law. The C.O.C. is not the same as a clear teaching or services credential. The C.O.C. does not authorize the holder to provide any instruction or services in schools; its sole purpose is to provide verification that the holder has completed a professional fitness review. 

Please search for a LiveScan location near you by clicking on this link.

Please note: You do not need to apply for a Certificate of Clearance if you have previously completed the fingerprint process and have been issued a currently valid document by the Commission (i.e. a teaching credential).

Your CTC profile

You must first create an educator profile on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s website via the following steps:

  1. Click, “Apply for a New Document”
  2. Click, “Submit an Online Application” 
  3. Click, “Apply for Fingerprint Clearance (COC and ASCC)”

Screenshot of step-by-step process for creating a CTC profile

Once you submit payment and your fingerprints clear, you will be sent an email stating you’ve been issued your Certificate of Clearance. You may log into your CTC educator profile to view all current documents. 

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