Basic Skills & Subject Matter Competency Requirements
In order to obtain a teaching credential in the state of California, all students must prove they meet two requirements:
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Basic Skills: acknowledges the ability to understand basic reading, math, and writing, and
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Subject Matter Competency: acknowledges understanding of the subject one intends to teach
Both requirements must generally be met prior to admission to a teaching credential program. Please refer to program admission websites for additional details.
Basic Skills Requirement Update
On June 29, 2024, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 153 (Chap. 38, Stats 2024), which allows teacher credential candidates to use their bachelor’s degree to meet the Basic Skills
Requirement (BSR), effective immediately. For more information, view correspondence from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
