Obtaining a Clear Credential

Requirements for Clearing your Preliminary Credential are listed on your credential document under Renewal Requirements. To see your requirements, log-on to the CTC Educator Page (Link) and click on your document number. Your renewal requirements are listed at the bottom of your document along with a Renewal Code. Please reference your Renewal Code when reading the following information.

Renewal Code: R14I

Complete one of the following options. Note: options 1 and 2 require employment as a teacher in California.

Option 1: Complete a Commission-approved Teacher Induction Program through an approved California school district, county office of education, college or university, or consortium. Submit an application through your approved induction program sponsor.

Individuals employed in private schools may participate in an approved induction program but are not supported by state funding.

It is the responsibility of the individual approved induction program to determine the cost, if any, to the teacher for participation. The fee for the induction program should be clearly indicated in the advising documentation and shared with the participating teacher prior to enrolling in the approved induction program.

Option 2: If an approved induction program is verified to be unavailable to a beginning teacher then the individual may complete a Commission-approved clear credential teacher preparation program (previously a fifth-year program) offered by a California college or university. The employer of a preliminary credential holder must complete and sign the Verification of Unavailability of a Commission Approved Induction Program Form CL-855 (Link) stating that Induction is not available to the individual to allow that person to utilize the Clear Credential program route to earn a clear credential.

Individuals employed in private schools or other teaching positions may be eligible for enrollment in an approved clear credential program. The institution sponsoring the approved clear credential program must submit the recommendation for the clear teaching credential.

Option 3: Teachers who are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards will be issued a Clear Teaching Credential in the subject area in which they have received national certification. Individuals applying for the clear credential under Option 3 may apply directly to the Commission for a clear teaching credential. Questions should be directed to Commission on Teacher Credentialing Contact Us (Link).

Renewal Code: R14S

Complete any of the Options above. Option 2 may be completed without a CL-855 form.

Renewal Code: PRO

Complete any of the Options above. Additional renewal requirements may be listed on your document that must be completed.

Renewal Codes: R14C, R14R, R14S, or R14T

January 1, 2018: last date for any individual to clear their Ryan Credential. After that date, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing will evaluate any teacher who wants to clear their credential on a case-by-case basis. For more information, please see Coded Correspondence 17-06 (Link).