Guidance for Credential Programs in Response to COVID-19

This information is for all students who have completed student teaching or a teaching internship.

Executive Order Background

Many of you have been unable to complete your remaining credential requirements (CalTPA exams and/or RICA exam) due to the effects of COVID-19 and the impact on testing centers. As a result of California Governor Newson’s Executive Order, N-66-20, on 5/29/2020 and SB 820, which extended the actions in N-66-20 until August 31, 2021, the CalTPAs and RICA exam have been temporarily suspended as a Preliminary Credential requirement for those effected by COVID-19. This means that you can apply for your Preliminary Credential if you have not completed these exams and meet the criteria outlined below.

Please know that the CalTPAs and RICA exam will still be required to receive your Clear Credential.

The Preliminary Credential is valid for 5 years. During that 5 year period, it is your responsibility to be hired into a teaching position and complete an induction program in order to receive the Clear Credential (induction programs are typically completed in the first and second year of teaching). During that 5 year period, you will also need to complete the CalTPAs and/or RICA exam that you were unable to finish due to COVID-19. Be aware that the 5-year Preliminary Credential cannot be renewed or extended so it is vital that you keep track of the requirements you have left to complete and work with your hired school district to meet them all.  

What Teacher Candidates Need to Do

Please review all credential requirements to confirm which requirements you have or have not met.

CTC has provided the following flowchart to guide candidates on who is and is not eligible for the Preliminary Credential per EO-N-66-20. This flowchart now applies to candidates enrolled in fieldwork during the 2020-2021 school year as well.

We have determined that the majority of our candidates have been able to meet most credential requirements but have been highly impacted in completing the RICA exam and the TPA exams due to COVID-19. Please see the information below based on the specific credential requirement you have been unable to meet:

I have completed all credential requirements EXCEPT for the RICA exam. (Multiple Subject or Education Specialist candidates)

If between March 19, 2020 - August 31, 2021 you were unable to complete the RICA exam due to COVID-19 related testing center closures, you are eligible for the Preliminary Credential based on CTC action and EO N-66-20 and SB 820. Submit a credential application and proof that COVID-19 affected your ability to take the RICA exam* to your advisor.

I have completed all credential requirements EXCEPT for the TPA exam(s). (Multiple Subject or Single Subject candidates)

In order to be eligible for the Preliminary Credential based on CTC action and EO N-66-20, you must also satisfy all of the following conditions during the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 academic year:  

1. 1. Was placed or employed in a local educational agency impacted by COVID-19 related school site closures;
2. 2. Was in the process of completing the TPA;
3. 3. Was unable to complete the TPA due solely to school closures; AND
4. 4. Successfully completed all other preliminary teaching credential requirements.

If you meet ALL of the conditions, submit a credential application to your advisor and fill out the TPA condition form. 

If you do not meet ALL of the conditions, EO-N-66-20 and SB 820 does not apply to you.

I have completed all credential requirements EXCEPT for the RICA exam and the TPA exam(s). (Multiple Subject candidates)

In order to be eligible for the Preliminary Credential based on CTC action and EO N-66-20 and SB 820, you must also satisfy the following conditions during the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 academic year:

1. 1. Was placed or employed in a local educational agency impacted by COVID-19 related school site closures;
2. 2. Was in the process of completing the TPA;
3. 3. Was unable to complete the TPA due solely to school closures; AND
4. 4. Successfully completed all other preliminary teaching credential requirements.

If you meet ALL of the conditions, submit a credential application, proof that COVID-19 affected your ability to take the RICA exam between March 19, 2020 - August 31, 2021* to your advisor, and fill out the TPA condition form.

If you do not meet ALL of the conditions, EO-N-66-20 and SB 820 does not apply to you.

*RICA proof may include but is not limited to: confirmation of the RICA being scheduled/rescheduled/canceled between March 19, 2020 - August 31, 2021; documentation that there are no available testing centers within 1-hour drive of your home; a doctors note stating you inability to visiting testing centers; a brief statement of your inability to visit testing centers because you are a caretaker to or live with someone who is immunocompromised. 

This information is specifically for teacher candidates who are on track to apply for spring 2021 student teaching. 

CTC Background

Due to the effects of COVID-19 and the impact on testing centers, CTC has provided flexibility for the requirements to advance to student teaching. CTC is allowing teacher candidates to advance to spring 2021 student teaching even if they have not passed all CSET exams/met the subject matter competency requirement. The School of Education Response Team approved a policy on 6/3/2020 to allow teacher candidates to student teach in spring 2021 without all their CSET exams passed (if interested in reading this policy, you can request it from your advisor).  

Please understand that the CSET exams are NOT being waived entirely. All teacher candidates must pass all CSETs/meet the subject matter competency requirement in order to be recommended for the Preliminary Credential after student teaching. We strongly encourage you to make this a priority before/while student teaching, to the best of your ability and testing center availability, so that you can receive your Preliminary Credential in a timely manner. It is recommended that you complete your CSETs by the end of April 2021.

While this conditional waiver provides an opportunity for teacher candidates to move forward in their program without delay due to COVID-19, it presents a unique challenge. Student Teaching has always been a demanding experience. In addition to your daily responsibilities in the classroom and weekly coursework, there are additional credential exams to be completed (i.e. the CalTPAs or TPE Portfolio and the RICA exam). Those who still need to pass their CSET exams will be in the unique position of completing the CSETs in addition to these other exams. Again, we emphasize the importance of prioritizing your exams so that you can receive your Preliminary Credential at the conclusion of student teaching. 

What Teacher Candidates Need to Do

Apply for student teaching. The application for spring 2021 student teaching is due Tuesday, September 1, 2020.

Please refer to your program pathway and discuss your progress with your advisor if you are unsure what semester to apply for student teaching. 

This information is for teacher candidates interested in applying to be intern eligible for Spring 2021.

Executive Order Background

As a result of SB 820 which extends California Governor Newson’s Executive Order, N-66-20, Spring 2021 Teaching Intern Applicants can become intern eligible and recommended for an intern credential without meeting subject matter competency/pass all CSET exams. 

The School of Education Response Team approved a policy on 6/3/2020 to allow teacher candidates to become intern eligible for fall 2020 and spring 2021 without all their CSET exams passed (if interested in reading this policy, you can request it from your advisor).  

Please understand that the CSET exams are NOT being waived entirely. All teacher candidates must meet the subject matter competency requirement/pass CSETs in order to be recommended for their Preliminary Credential. CSETs must be passed before the internship credential expires (intern credentials are valid for 2 years and cannot be renewed or extended). 

While the Executive Order provides an opportunity for teacher candidates to complete an internship without delay this fall due to COVID-19, it presents a unique challenge. Teaching Internships are immensely challenging and recommended only for teacher candidates with prior teaching experience. An internship is first-year teaching while balancing coursework and completing credential requirements. Those who still need to pass their CSET exams will be additionally challenged to pass these exams in addition to all other credential requirements (i.e. the CalTPAs or TPE Portfolio and the RICA exam) while maintaining full-time employment. Any student applying for spring 2021 internship without their CSET exams passed must recognize the additional challenge completing their CSET exams will create. Failure to complete the CSET exams and all other credential requirements may result in an inability to continue employment in their teaching position.

What Teacher Candidates Need to Do

1. Apply to be an intern. Spring 2021 intern applications are currently being reviewed on a rolling basis and the deadline to submit an application is Sunday, December 13, 2020. Once an application has been submitted, it will be reviewed within 2 weeks. 

2. Find a full-time teaching position in your credential field. Intern eligible students must be hired in a full-time, public school teaching position in their credential area and notify their advisor of their position by Friday, December 18, 2020. If a student is not hired by this deadline, they must reapply for Fall 2021 internship. The Fall 2021 intern application will require all CSETs passed/meeting subject matter competency.

Teacher candidates affected by restrictions due to distance learning are able to receive their preliminary credential without fulfilling the CalTPA requirement. However, the CalTPA requirement must be fulfilled in order to be eligible to apply for the clear teaching credential.