Do you want to become a teacher in the state of California? Well, we have put together a handy guide that lists the steps that you must take.

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree. You need a bachelor’s degree to apply for teaching certification in California. A potential teacher can complete their undergraduate degree in any subject as long as they complete a CTC-approved teacher preparation program. You need to complete your undergraduate degree with a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for certification. This means that you need to maintain a B average to become a teacher in the state of California. Sounds fair to me.
2. Complete a teacher education program and subject matter program. To become a teacher in the state of California, students must complete a CTC-approved educator preparation program and a CTC-approved subject matter program instead of the two Praxis tests. These programs provide substitute for the Praxis, as they indicate both general aptitude and content-area knowledge.
3. Complete your student teaching hours. All teacher education candidates must complete a student teaching experience under the supervision of a licensed teacher and a faculty mentor.
4. Pass a background check. The state of California requires that all teachers pass a live scan, which is an electronic fingerprinting method used by many organizations to check each applicant’s background for prior offenses. Applicants can fill out a Live Scan request here.
5. Submit an application for teacher certification. Potential teachers must submit an application that includes their transcripts, education preparation, subject matter programs, and proof of satisfaction of the basic skills requirement.
6. Payment of all fees. Teacher candidates must pay a $100 application fee when they submit their application. Students pay Live Scan fees directly to Live Scan. Out-of-state students can request fingerprint cards, but they must pay an additional $49 to do so. Online applications may include a $2.50 service fee.