Transitional Kindergarten and Early Learning

This permit requires six semester units of early childhood education/development coursework. You could instead complete an approved Home Economics (HERO) or Regional Occupation Program (ROP) in Child Development Related Occupations. With this permit, you can work with children in a child care and child development program under the supervision of an individual that holds a higher permit.

The Child Development Assistant Permit is issued for five years and is renewable for successive five year periods upon completion of 105 hours of professional growth. Permit holders who complete the requirements for a higher level permit within three years of the date of initial issuance may submit verification of completion of requirements, an application (form 41-4) for the higher level permit, and half the application processing fee. 

The Child Development Associate Teacher permit requires 12 semester units of coursework, including at least three units in child/human growth and development, child and family relations, and programs/curriculum, as well as at least 50 days of instructional experience in a child care program. A Child Development Associate credential  (CDA) can serve as a substitute for the coursework and experience requirements.  For information on obtaining the CDA credential, visit the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition webpage. Holders of a Child Development Associate Teacher permit can supervise Child Development permit assistants and aides.

The Child Development Associate Teacher Permit is issued for five years and is renewable once, for a total of two issuances. To renew, the holder must complete at least 15 semester units toward the Child Development Teacher Permit. By the end of the ten year period, the holder must meet the requirements for the Child Development Teacher Permit.

The Child Development Teacher permit requires 16 semester units in general education and 175 days of experience working at least three hours per day within the last four years. You could instead hold an associate degree or higher in early childhood education or child development and have three-semester units of field experience. Individuals with this permit can supervise aides, assistants, and associate teachers.

The Child Development Teacher Permit is issued for five years and is renewable for successive five-year periods upon completion of 105 hours of professional growth. This permit may be renewed online. Permit holders who complete the requirements for a higher level permit within three years of the date of initial issuance may submit verification of completion of requirements, an application (form 41-4) for the higher level permit, and half the application processing fee. 

This permit requires 16 semester units in general education, six units in a specialization such as infant and toddler care or preschool programming, or child health. It also requires two units in adult supervision coursework, and 350 days of experience.

Another option is to complete a baccalaureate degree, 12 semesters of relevant coursework, and three semester units of supervised field experience. Holders of this permit can supervise teachers, associates, assistants, and aides as well as can coordinate the curriculum and staff development in addition to teaching and caring for children in a child care and development program.

The Child Development Master Teacher Permit is issued for five years and is renewable for successive five year periods upon completion of 105 hours of professional growth. This permit may be renewed online. Permit holders who complete the requirements for a higher level permit within three years of the date of initial issuance may submit verification of completion of requirements, an application (form 41-4) for the higher level permit, and half the application processing fee.

This permit includes all of the responsibilities of the master teacher level and allows individuals to supervise a child care and development program at one site. Site supervisors can also oversee master teachers. There are four ways to qualify for this permit:

1. Associate degree, six semester units in administration and supervision of child care, two semester units of adult supervision coursework, and 350 days of experience; 100 of these days must include supervising adults as well. 
2. Baccalaureate degree or higher, 12 semester units of early childhood education/child development, and three semester units of supervised field experience.
3. CA Administrative Services Credential, 12 semester units of early childhood education/child development, and three semester units of supervised field experience.
4. Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Home Economics, 12 semester units of early childhood education/child development, and three semester units of supervised field experience.

The Child Development Site Supervisor Permit is issued for five years and is renewable for successive five-year periods upon completion of 105 hours of professional growth. This permit may be renewed online. Permit holders who complete the requirements for a higher level permit within three years of the date of initial issuance may submit verification of completion of requirements, an application (form 41-4) for the higher level permit, and half the application processing fee.

Permit holders can supervise multiple sites of a child care and development program in addition to caring for and instructing children and coordinating curriculum and staff development. There are four options to qualify for this permit:

1. Baccalaureate degree or higher, six additional semester units of administration and supervision of early childhood education/child development programs, two additional  semester units of adult supervision coursework, and one year of site supervisor experience.
2. CA Administrative Services Credential, 12 semester units of early childhood education/child development coursework, and three semester units of supervised field experience.
3. Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Home Economics, 12 semester units of early childhood education/child development, three semester units of supervised field experience.
4. Master's degree or higher in early childhood education, child/human development, or a closely related field.

The Child Development Program Director Permit is issued for five years and is renewable for successive five year periods upon completion of 105 hours of professional growth. This permit may be renewed online.

Self-contained classroom - typically elementary but can be preschool-12, or in classes primarily for adults

The PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential authorizes the holder to teach all subjects in a self-contained general education classroom setting in grades preschool through grade three, including Transitional Kindergarten

The Single Subject Teaching Credential is used for departmentalized classes, such as those in most middle schools and high schools or in classes organized primarily for adults. It is also found in lower grades, particularly for subjects such as physical education or visual & performing arts (VAPA) subjects.

Holder conducts educational assessments related to student’s access to the academic core curriculum and progress towards meeting instructional academic goals, provide instruction, and Special Education support. Specialties include Mild/Moderate, Moderate/Severe, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Visual Impairment, Physical and Health Impairments, Early Childhood Special Education, and Language and Academic Development.

Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credential professionals include school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers and child welfare and attendance providers.  Each PPS credential specialization has its own credential program and often also includes and/or requires a masters degree in the subject.  Consult the university credential program you are interested in attending for important details before beginning a master's degree prior to entering a PPS credential program.

A PPS credential authorizes the holder to perform services in the specialization(s) named, as described below, in grades 12 and below, including preschool, and in programs organized primarily for adults.

School Psychologist

• Provide services that enhance academic performance; design strategies and programs to address problems of adjustment;
• Consult with other educators and parents on issues of social development, behavioral and academic difficulties;
• Conduct psycho-educational assessments for purposes of identifying special needs;
• Provide psychological counseling for individuals, groups and families; and
• Coordinate intervention strategies for management of individual and school-wide crises

School Counseling

• Develop, plan, implement and evaluate a school counseling and guidance program that includes academic, career, personal and social development;
• Advocate for the higher academic achievement and social development of all students;
• Provide school-wide prevention and intervention strategies and counseling services;
• Provide consultation, training and staff development to teachers and parents regarding students' needs; and
• Supervise a district-approved advisory program as described in Education Code Section 49600.

School Social Work

• Assess home, school, personal and community factors that may affect a student's learning;
• Identify and provide intervention strategies for children and their families including counseling, case management, and crisis intervention;
• Consult with teachers, administrators and other school staff regarding social and emotional needs of students;
• Coordinate family, school and community resources on behalf of students;
• Facilitate prevention, early identification, and intervention through direct and indirect learning support services to students, families, and school personnel; and
• Maintain and provide linkages with school and community based resources to ensure that students and families access needed educational, health, and mental health services.

Child Welfare and Attendance

• Access appropriate services from both public and private providers;
• Provide staff development to school personnel regarding state and federal laws pertaining to due process and child welfare and attendance laws;
• Address school policies and procedures that inhibit academic success;
• Implement strategies to improve student attendance;
• Participate in school-wide reform efforts; and
• Promote understanding and appreciation of those factors that affect the attendance of culturally-diverse student populations.

Sometimes known as vocational education, these courses prepare students, middle school to adult, for specific trades in 15 industry sectors. Teachers pursuing a CTE credential come directly from those industry areas. They teach students the academic and technical content that provides them with the knowledge and skills to enter an occupation, or continue on to college.

Adult Education programs offer their communities both state-supported general education courses and community education fee-based classes. The credential authorizes the holder to teach the subjects named on the credential in courses organized primarily for adults.

The Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit authorizes the holder to serve as a day-to-day substitute teacher in any classroom in California, including preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults. You may serve as a substitute every day. "30-days" refers to the maximum number of days you may work in the same general education classroom in a year.

Provides student assistance under the supervision and direction of a faculty member - K-12

Includes before-school, after-school, and summer school programs