Certificate of Clearance Instructions
A Certificate of Clearance is issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to credential program candidates. Title 5 regulations require that an application for Certificate of Clearance be filed to determine whether or not a candidate meets the state standards for character and fitness to teach in California’s public schools. A Certificate of Clearance is valid for five years.
To apply for a Certificate of Clearance, please follow these three steps:
Please note; this is a brief guide, for a complete step-by-step guide, please refer to the “How to Submit your Online Application” video and downloadable pdf on the CTC website.
- Go to the CTC Website
- Download the 41-LS form from the table
- Complete sections 3 and 4 (sections 1 and 2 should automatically populate)
- Print 3 copies
- Take the 41-LS forms to an agency providing fingerprinting services.
- For all California locations, including the CSULB University Police Department, go to: their locations page.
- Your fingerprints will be transmitted electronically to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
- Go to: the Submission Information page
- Click on Submit Your Application Online
- Create/login to your profile on the secure Educator Page by entering your Social Security Number (SSN) and Date of Birth (DOB).
- If this is your first time logging in to the CTC website, you will need to enter your SSN and DOB again
- Click Create Person and enter your information
- Click Save
- Click Next
- If you have already created a profile, verify that your information is correct. Click on the Edit button if you need to make any changes to your profile. Make sure to click Save, if changes are made.
- Click Next
- If this is your first time logging in to the CTC website, you will need to enter your SSN and DOB again
- Under Web Applications click Create New
- Using the drop-down arrow under General Application Category select Certificate of Clearance/Activity Supervisor
- Using the drop-down arrow under Document/Authorization Title select Certificate of Clearance
- Scroll down and click Next
- Continue to follow the instructions, answering all Professional Fitness Questions
- Complete the Oath and Affidavit section
- Click Submit Payment
- Continue to follow the instructions to pay for your certificate
Approximately two to four weeks after filing your Certificate of Clearance application, you can monitor your status online.
- Go to: the CTC website
- Click on Credentialing Information
- Click on Educator Login, enter your SSN and DOB
- Click OK and your personal information should appear
- Click Next
- Under the Document section, you should see your Certificate of Clearance document
- Click on the document number to view/print your Certificate of Clearance