Credentials FAQ - General Questions

Before you email us, is your question addressed below?

Want to know your application's status?

Please refer to the Application Status section on the right side of the page, or at the bottom if you are using a mobile device, to find out whether the Commission has processed your application yet. You can also check the status of your application online. It takes 2-3 weeks for paper applications to be logged in our system after they are received. Note that the Commission will send an email to the address listed in your CTC online profile when your application status has changed.

Credential Questions

How do I create an account and/or log in to CTC Online?

For questions related to account creation or logging in to your account, please visit CTC Online - Login Help.

Where can I find CTC Online technical and troubleshooting help?

Visit CTC Online Services Help for questions about logging in, your educator account, completing online recommendations, and payment.

If you cannot access the email tied to your account and would like to change it, you will need to update your email address. To do this, you can find information on Common Login Issues, under the dropdown I no longer have access to the email associated with my account.

How do I renew my credential?

The answer depends on the type of certification you hold. Please see various scenarios below to find your answer.

Online renewals are typically processed within 10 business days (unless additional information is requested from our Division of Professional Practices).

Preliminary Administrative Services credentials are considered dependent credentials, meaning their expiration date must align with that of the prerequisite base credential. This is why even though this type of credential is valid for 5 years, your Preliminary Administrative Services credential may be issued for less than 5 years. Once you have renewed your base credential, you may apply for the remainder of time on your Preliminary Administrative Services credential by submitting a paper application and application processing fee.

Additional information can be found on Renewal and Reissuance of Credentials.

NOTE: There is no penalty for letting your credential expire as long as you are not currently employed in a position that requires you to hold the credential. You can renew a document at any time after the expiration as long as you have completed the renewal requirements (if applicable). Note that if your document is expired for more than 18 months, you may be required to submit new fingerprint information.

I would like to waive some credentialing requirements. How do I do that?

In some instances, an employer may request that the Commission waive a requirement for an educator on a one-time basis, for a limited amount of time. Interested educators must speak to their employers to arrange this. The Commission will not issue waivers unless they are requested through an employer.

The Commission does not have the authority to waive any credentialing requirements. This includes, but is not limited to coursework, the Basic Skills Requirement, examinations such as the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA), subject matter competence, and teacher performance assessments. Speak with a California college or university with a Commission-approved teacher preparation program for more information.

If you have a request for reasonable accommodation related to a credential requirement, please contact the Commission via one of the following options:

Commission on Teacher Credentialing
ATTN: Certification Division Manager
651 Bannon Street, Suite 601
Sacramento, CA 95811

Please include information on the specific credential requirement you need accommodated and medical substantiation related to your disability so that we may begin the interactive process and support your needs.

Can I access the fingerprint application forms on your website?

The 41-LS (LiveScan) form can be downloaded and printed from the Commission's website. Fingerprint cards (FD-258) are not accessible on the website; however, the Commission can mail cards upon request. Request fingerprint cards by sending an email with your name and address to the Commission's Information Services Unit at fingerprints@ctc.ca.gov.

What is the processing time for fingerprints?

The standard timeframe for a California resident who completed a Live Scan is 3-7 business days. For a non-resident who submitted fingerprint cards, it can take 10-12 weeks. However, this is the standard timeframe and it may take significantly longer.

Please do not email the Commission within 30 days from the end of the above timeframe. When a "Fingerprint Response" is received from DOJ the applicant will either be granted or notified by the Commission of any fingerprint issues.

The Commission does not have control regarding DOJ's processing timeframe. Applicants who used the Live Scan automated process may check the status of their fingerprint submission by visiting the DOJ website. You will need your ATI number from your 41-LS form and your date of birth when checking your status.

Instructions on how to check your account to see if the Commission has received your fingerprints can be found at CTC Online - Your Educator Account under the section Check the Status and "Check Your Fingerprint Clearance Status."

For more information on fingerprinting, please navigate here.

How do I change my name and check the status of my name change?

When completing Form 41-NC, all of Section A “Personal Information” must be filled out. For an SSN/ITIN correction, complete Section B. For a Date of Birth correction, complete Section C. For a name change or correction, complete Section D. The required supporting documentation is listed in each section and photocopies of each supporting document must be included with the submission to process the requested change. The Form 41-NC is only valid if the bottom of page 2 is signed and dated with a wet ink signature or acceptable digital signature (see Credential Information Alert 23-01 for more information).

The Commission requires educator’s legal information be on file at all times. Form 41-NC must be submitted for changes to a name, SSN/ITIN or DOB. Form 41-NC must be accompanied by the appropriate supporting documents as indicated on the form and mailed to the Commission. If the Form 41-NC cannot be processed or supporting documentation is missing from the submission, the process will start over and cause a delay in correcting personal information on file. Incomplete or illegible forms or supporting documents will not be processed. All supporting documents become property of the Commission.

Once the 41-NC is complete, the 41-NC and the corresponding required supporting documentation should be mailed to the Commission at the following address:

Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Certification Division
651 Bannon St., Suite 601
Sacramento, CA 95811
Attn: Educator Profile Change Request

There is no fee associated with the name change process.

The Commission processes Form 41-NCs and any returned supporting documents in the order in which they are received, which is typically within four weeks. However, as we receive a high volume of Form 41-NCs, our processing times vary. Unfortunately, there is no expedite procedure. Our processing times may increase to twelve weeks during periods of high volume. Once a Form 41-NC is processed, the supporting materials are scanned into the Educator’s Profile and confidentially destroyed.

Once the process is complete, an email confirmation will be sent to the email address listed on file regarding any profile change(s) made. If we are unable to complete the profile change(s), Commission staff will send the educator an email explaining why the change(s) could not be made and request any additional information necessary to complete the change.

What is the status of DPP review?

Please see Professional Fitness Questions - Information.

How do I obtain a Child Development Permit?

You can find information on the requirements for the various levels of Child Development Permits on Child Development Permits. The Child Development Permit Worksheet and the Child Development and School-Age Emphasis Matrix are helpful for determining which permit you qualify for and through which option. FAQ - Child Development Permits also addresses specific questions regarding Child Development Permits.

What is the fee for processing my credential?

In most cases the fee for processing a credential is $100. This includes initial issuances and renewals. There are some exceptions which include military fee waivers and upgrades. Please see the Fee Information Leaflet for a full list of processing fees.

How do I obtain subject matter competence from the Commission?

The Commission does not have the authority to evaluate candidate information for subject matter competence. Such evaluations may only be performed by California colleges or universities that have Commission-approved subject matter programs. You will need to work with your teacher preparation program to have your subject matter knowledge verified by one of the allowable methods. Please see Subject Matter Requirements for more information.

What should I know about English Learner Authorizations and how to obtain them?

Multilingual students or English Learners are students who have not yet attained full proficiency in English. Students designated in these categories must be taught by teachers that hold an English Learner Authorization. If an educator has even one English Learner in the classroom, they must hold the appropriate authorization to serve them in accordance with California law. English Learner students make up a significant portion of California public school students.

You can find information on the types of English Learner authorizations, and how to obtain them in these documents:

There are also emergency permits available to authorize you to provide English Learner services while you work toward obtaining the full authorization. There are a few types available depending on students’ needs and the type of credential you have, but usually if you are teaching in a non-bilingual assignment, you will need an Emergency CLAD Permit, and if you are teaching in a bilingual assignment, you will need an Emergency Bilingual Authorization Permit in the target language. These permits may only be applied for through your employer and you must have a valid base credential (a California teaching credential or other acceptable credential). They are valid for one year but cannot have a later expiration date than the base credential, and once the Basic Skills Requirement has been met, can be renewed for a total of three permits. More information on how to obtain an Emergency CLAD Permit or Emergency Bilingual Authorization Permit can be found in Emergency Permits (CL-533o-CLAD-BL).

I live in California. How do I become a teacher? Do I need to complete a teacher preparation program?

Yes, if you do not have a professional-level teaching credential from another state or country or qualifying experience teaching in private schools, you must complete a Commission-approved credentialing program (also called a teacher preparation program) in order to obtain a California teaching credential.

Teacher preparation is a program of professional coursework (including student teaching) that develops the skills needed for teaching in a classroom. This includes coursework in areas such as teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and classroom management.

If you are interested in becoming a teacher, please visit Becoming a Teacher in California, which explains the entire credentialing process and includes links to other pages to help you find the best program for you and even financial resources to support your career.

Furthermore, if you would like additional guidance from one of the Commission’s Education Career Counselors, you can request a phone call, video chat, or email here!

How can I get an error on my document corrected?

Errors are addressed differently based on how the application was submitted.