Special Subjects Credentials
This section will provide you with information about obtaining your Designated Subjects Special Subjects Teaching Credential. This credential will allow you to teach the subject named on the credential in grades K-12 inclusive and classes organized primarily for adults.
You can obtain your special subjects credential through the Designated Subjects Credential Office in the Department of Occupational Studies at California State University, Long Beach. You may also enroll in courses through the department, which will help you obtain your special subjects Credential. In addition, some of the courses you take for your special subjects credential may also be applied toward coursework for a Bachelor of Science Degree or a Master of Arts Degree in Occupational Studies.
These credentials will authorize you to teach the following subjects to be named on the credential:
Aviation Flight Instruction or Aviation Ground Instruction
Experience must be verified by copies of flight logs
Basic Military Drill
Experience must be verified by the Adjutant General of the State of California
Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
Experience must be verified by the branch of the military service sponsoring the program in the employing school district
Once your application materials have been reviewed, you will be given a five-year Preliminary credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). You will need to complete coursework or other requirements to "clear" your credential. You may enroll in courses through the Department of Occupational Studies and other programs at Cal State University to meet these requirements. Read the Requirements to Clear the Designated Subjects Special Subjects Credential for more information.
Apply Now for Your Designated Subjects Special Subjects Credential
Complete the following steps to apply for your designated subjects special subjects credential
- Download and use the CSULB Designated Subjects Credential Office Application Packet Checklist. This checklist will help you to complete all of the following steps properly.
- Download and complete the CSULB Designated Subjects Credential Office Information Sheet.
- Download and complete California Form 41-4, Application for Credential Authorizing Public School Service. Follow the instructions on the application. Complete items #1, #3, and #4. Skip Item #2. If you answer "YES" to any question in Section #4, you must submit a full explanation using a separate sheet of paper. Sign your name in the "Oath of Affidavit" section.
- Include the completed "Live Scan" Fingerprinting Form 41-LS. You must be fingerprinted to receive your teaching credential. If you have received fingerprint clearance through a public school district, other California agency, or in other states, then you are not exempt from this requirement. To be fingerprinted, use the "Live Scan" process as explained below:
- Obtain and Complete Form 41-LS, Request for Live-Scan Service (Fingerprinting) by calling the Cal State Long Beach Designated Subjects Credential Office at (562) 985-4698. Ask for Form 41-LS, Request for Live-Scan Service. Or, you may call the Commission directly at (916) 445-7254 or (888) 921-2682 (toll-free) to request that the form be mailed to you.
- Find a Live Scan service near you. Visit the Fingerprint Submissions site for a list of agencies throughout California that offer Live-Scan services.
- Call the agency to make an appointment. Most agencies charge between $60-$80 for live Scan services, which includes fees charged by the California Department of Justice ($24) and the FBI ($32). The difference in fees will vary depending upon the agency's rolling fee. The Live-Scan operator must collect these fees.
Make sure that the form is completed properly. You will need to include the following information on the form:
- ORI - A0281
- Type of Application - License, Certification, Permit
- Job Title - Applicant for Teacher Credential
- Agency Authorized to Receive Criminal History Information - California Commission on Teaching Credentialing, Box 944270 (1900 Capitol Avenue), Sacramento, CA 94244-2700
Mail Code (five-digit code assigned by DOJ) - 03294
Contact Telephone Number (916) 445-7254
- Note that Livescan fingerprints are not needed if you have another California Credential (other than the Community College). Please submit a copy of the existing credential along with your application.
- Obtain official copies of your transcripts. Include these official transcripts in your application for the Designated Subjects Credential. For the special subjects credential, you will need to have a high school diploma or pass the GED or pass the California High School Proficiency Exam or have the foreign equivalent of a high school diploma. Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) approved organizations only. Call the Designated Subjects Credential Office at (562) 985-5631 for information about foreign transcripts.
- If you wish to obtain the special subjects credential, you must submit verification of four years of experience. At least one year of the experience must be within the three-year period immediately preceding the issuance of the credential. Download the Work Experience Verification Letters Instruction Sheet and Sample Letters for more information. Verification of experience means written confirmation of the applicant's qualifying experience, signed by the applicant's past or present employer(s) on company letterhead that attests to and includes all of the following:
- Employer's name, address, and telephone number
- The working relationship of the person signing the verification to the applicant
- Beginning and ending dates of employment
- Complete description of duties
- A statement as to whether or not the employment was full-time (If employment was less than full-time, include an accounting of the number of hours the applicant was employed.)
- Verification of experience must be made as follows:
- For Aviation Flight Instruction or Aviation Ground Instruction
- Experience must be verified by copies of flight logs
- For Basic Military Drill
- Experience must be verified by the Adjutant General of the State of California
- For Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
- Experience must be verified by the branch of the military service sponsoring the program in the employing school district
- If you wish to obtain the special subjects credential, you must submit official transcripts that include verification for the U.S. Constitution requirement or verification that you passed the U.S. Constitution exam. Include this verification in your application for the Designated Subjects Credential. See handout for more information.
- Mail all of your completed, applicable application paperwork identified above together in one packet to the following address. Do not send incomplete packets. Incomplete packets will be returned. Mail to:
Designated Subjects Credential Office
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
ET Building, Room 223
Long Beach, CA 90840-5601
- You can obtain your special subjects credential through the Designated Subjects Credential Office in the Department of Occupational Studies at California State University, Long Beach. You may also enroll in courses through the department, which will apply toward clearing your Designated Subjects Credential. In addition, some of the courses you take for your Designated Subjects Credential may also be applied toward obtaining a Master of Arts Degree in Occupational Studies.
For more information, contact the Designated Subjects Credential Office at (562) 985-5631.
