Credentialing

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The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) is the local agency that provides credentialing services to school districts, charter schools, universities, and individuals across the county. SDCOE provides guidance and information on state requirements and regulations as well as reviews applications to ensure accuracy and completion before submitting to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for final approval. If you would like to submit a credential or permit application for processing, please either send them via U.S. mail, truck mail, drop off at our front gate, or walk-in at 6401 Linda Vista Road, Room 104, San Diego, CA 92111. Please allow three to four weeks for processing time.

At this time, our Linda Vista location is accepting credential walk-ins (as time permits) Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please be aware that Fridays are often blocked for staff meetings and professional development which affects walk-in service. We apologize for the inconvenience.

At our San Marcos location (NCREC), we are accepting credential walk-ins (as time permits) Mondays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (please arrive by 2:30 p.m.). Please be aware that Fridays are often blocked for staff meetings and professional development which affects walk-in service. We apologize for the inconvenience. Be sure to check the Important Notices section to the right for any closures.

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Important Notices

Both the Linda Vista and North County offices will be closed Friday, May 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. and all day on Monday, May 30 - Memorial Day Holiday.

The CTC application fee waiver is about to expire! Please have all documents that qualify for the fee waiver into our office no later than June 17, 2022. Applications received after June 17 will be return for a fee.

CDTC applications - Please submit application packets to our office no later than June 17, 2022. Applications received after June 17 will be returned.

San Diego County Office Of Education

6401 Linda Vista Road
San Diego, CA 92111-7399

Check in outside Room 105
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (as time permits)
Phone: 858-298-2194

North County Regional Education Center

255 Pico Avenue
San Marcos, CA 92069

Check in: Room 102
Mondays and Fridays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (as time permits)
Phone: 858-298-2194

How To...

Obtain an Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit

The Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit authorizes the holder to serve as a day-to-day substitute teacher in any classroom, including preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-12 inclusive, or in classes organized primarily for adults.

Apply for a Certificate of Clearance

To apply for a Certificate of Clearance, applicants must complete Live Scan fingerprinting (41-LS and Clearinghouse) and then apply online at the Commission of Teacher Credentialing website.

Change Your Name (opens in new window/tab)

To update your name with the Commission it is necessary to complete and submit form 41-NC along with all the requested documentation. Access the form online, then submit it to our office or send it directly to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing at 1900 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95811-4213.

Get a Copy of Your Credential

The CTC no longer prints nor mails a physical document to credential or permit holders. If you need a physical copy of your credential or permit, you will need to print a copy from the CTC website.

Obtain, Renew, or Upgrade a Child Development Permit

Applicants seeking a first-time, renewal, or upgrade to their Child Development Permit must first submit the required paperwork and fees.

If you need to register your credential with SDCOE, call 858-298-2194.

Renew a Credential Online

Renewing online three months prior to the expiration date usually allows enough time for the document to be granted and downloaded to our payroll system.

Submit a Paper Application

SDCOE is currently accepting all paper applications via U.S. mail at 6401 Linda Vista Road, Room 104, San Diego, CA 92111. Please allow approximately 3-4 weeks for processing time.

Teach in California if You Were Trained Out of State

California has a two-tier credential structure. Learn more about the requirements to teach in California if you are an educator was has been trained in a different state or country.

More to Explore

Clear Administrative Services Credential Program

Developing system leaders who build high-performing schools to ensure powerful learning for each and every student.

This job‐embedded, site‐based, individualized coaching program is an approved pathway for clearing the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential.

The two-year program that includes job-embedded one‐on‐one coaching with a skilled administrator, an individualized leadership growth plan, and professional learning as well as a culminating portfolio representing two years of leadership development as an instructional leader-based upon the California Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (CPSEL).

It also incorporates Leadership Seminars aligned to CPSEL and focused on systems-thinking and equity leadership to accelerate student achievement.

Registration for Fall 2022 will open in March.

Apply Online

Download Leadership Seminar Flyers (PDF)

Prerequisite Information

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) requires the completion of an approved Administrative Services Credential Clear Induction Program as the only option for completing the Professional Administrative Services Credential.

Enrollment in a CTC-approved administrator induction program is expected upon placement in an administrative position, but no later than one year from activation of the preliminary credential.

Program Cost

The cost of the program for administrators is $7,500 for the two-year clear credential program.

Tuition break-down:

$300 Technology Fee
$200 Application Fee (non-refundable)
$3,500 per year

Payment Options

$1,750 per semester (or $3,500 per year)

Requirements

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires first‐time administrators to enter an Administrative Services Credential Clear Induction program within 90 days of being placed into their first administrative assignment. A cohort format is utilized to allow participants to enroll in the program throughout the year. Depending on the time of entry into the program, candidates will be assigned to either a fall cohort (July 1–June 30) or spring cohort (Jan. 1 – Dec. 30).

Requirements for Year 1

Administrative Mentoring and Coaching

Candidates meet with an SDCOE assigned Administrator Coach for 40 to 60 hours each year. Coaching sessions are intended to provide Candidates job-embedded support for the purpose of building instructional leadership practice in the six CPSEL areas for the improvement of teaching and learning.

Administrative Program Assessment Survey

Candidates complete the Tier II Administrative Program Self‐Assessment (online) with their Administrator Coach. The survey asks the Candidate to reflect upon their current state of leadership development in each of the 6 CPSEL areas. The results of the assessment inform the development of the Individual Leadership Growth Plan (ILGP).

The Individual Leadership Growth Plan

Candidates complete an Individualized Leadership Growth Plan (ILGP) comprised of three goals with action plans based upon three of the six CPSELS. The ILGP is job-embedded and connected closely to the actual work of the candidate in their job.

Professional Learning

Candidates are responsible for completing and documenting evidence of 40 hours of professional development that support the goals in the ILGP as well as growth in all six CPSEL areas. These hours may include workshops, professional development, and similar professional learning activities.

Requirements for Year 2

Administrative Mentoring and Coaching

Administrative Program Self Assessment

The program candidate completes the CPSEL self-assessment at the beginning of year 2 and again when they exit the program. The purpose of the assessment is to demonstrate a candidate's growth from induction to program exit.

The Individual Leadership Growth Plan

Candidates complete an Individualized Leadership Growth Plan (ILGP) comprised of the three goals with action plans based upon the remaining three CPSELS. The ILGP is job-embedded and connected closely to the actual work of the candidate in their job.

Professional Learning Hours

Candidates are responsible for completing and documenting evidence of 40 hours of professional development that support the SMART goals in the ILGP as well as growth in all six CPSEL areas. These hours may include workshops, professional development, and similar professional learning activities.

Portfolio and Exit Presentation

The portfolio provides tangible evidence of the Candidate’s development in the six CPSEL areas as an instructional leader over the two‐year period. Candidates participate in an exit interview. Upon approval of the committee, SDCOE validates the completion of the program and assists the Candidate in obtaining the Clear Administrative Services Credential from CTC.

casc contacts

Alex Cortes
Executive Leadership Coach
858-295-8928

Zeret Lara
Administrative Assistant
858-295-8904

English Learner Authorization

English learners must be taught by teachers holding an appropriate credential containing the English Learner Authorization or by teachers holding an Emergency CLAD Permit while participating in an approved training program to receive the formal English Learner Authorization. For information about the California Department of Education’s compliance monitoring, contact the California Department of Education's English Learner Accountability Unit at 916-319-0938, or reach out to SDCOE.

Further detailed information can be obtained from the following leaflets or websites:

English-Language Development (ELD) or English as a Second Language (ESL) is a content subject area. English-Language Development is instruction appropriate for the level of language proficiency as identified for each English-Learner student. The instruction is designed to promote the effective and efficient acquisition of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skill of the student. Service is restricted to the grade level of the document.

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program

Developing system leaders who build high-performing schools to ensure powerful learning for each and every student.

SDCOE's Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) Program is designed to prepare experienced educators for the challenges of school leadership. The credential allows you to serve in a variety of administrative roles, which may include principal, assistant principal, program manager, coordinator, and others depending on your district. Gaining your PASC will expand your opportunities as an educator.

Click here to apply for the PASC Program

Program Overview

Our innovative, competency-based program combines high-quality instruction and leading-edge research with contextualized fieldwork experiences that prepare you to be an effective educational leader.

Application Information

The San Diego County Office of Education is pleased to announce the application window for the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. Completed applications will be reviewed by our admissions committee on an ongoing basis.

Program Courses and Curriculum

PASC Program students complete seven rigorous courses that develop the necessary leadership competencies in vision and culture, instructional leadership, school improvement, community relationships, professional learning, organizational and systems leadership, and program evaluation.

pasc program contacts

Joseph Frescatore
Executive Leadership Coach
PASC Program Director
joseph.frescatore@sdcoe.net
858-295-8921

Zeret Lara

Administrative Assistant II

School: 858-295-8904

Commission on Teacher Credentialing Information

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is the state agency that issues California credentials. All applications submitted to the CTC may take three to five months to be processed. For this reason, it is recommended that you submit your application packet through a County Office of Education or employing school district.

Submitting your application packet through an employing district or through a County Office of Education can provide better service and understanding of the credentialing requirements in California. The SDCOE Credentials Unit offers Temporary County Certificates for employment at school districts within San Diego County for those who meet eligibility and fingerprint requirements. These certificates are not available to those who have been convicted of a violent or serious felony (Sec. 44332) and are not available from the CTC.

Because the CTC no longer accepts electronic or e-Transcripts, you must bring official transcripts and a photocopy of those transcripts when submitting an application packet.

Contact the CTC

State of California
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
1900 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95811-4213

credentials@ctc.ca.gov

View Applications, Forms, Leaflets, and Manuals

CTC Fee Information

The fee submitted with a paper application packet through the SDCOE office must be in the form of a money order or cashier's check made payable to Commission on Teacher Credentialing or CTC.

Application Fees

All Permits and Credentials: $100
Certificate of Clearance: $50

Other Fees

Renewal of All Permits and Credentials: $100 (online renewals are $102.50)
Adding an Authorization to Existing Credential: $100
Certificate of Completion of Staff Development: $50
Certificate of Eligibility: $50
Exchange of LDS / BCC: $50

If you have further questions or concerns, please contact an SDCOE Credential Technician at sdcred@sdcoe.net.

Approved Programs of Training for California Credentials

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has created interactive data dashboards to improve the access, transparency, and accountability of this data. By visualizing data, users can more effectively ask and answer specific questions about Commission data.

Educator Supply and Demand data dashboards and Educator Assignment data dashboards are now available. Future data dashboards will include Institutional Profile for Accredited Institutions and Educator Preparation Programs.

View Approved Institutions and Programs

Commonly Used Links and Forms

main contacts

Email Us

sdcred@sdcoe.net