Credentials

SCOE’s credentials office assists Sonoma County educators with credential/permit applications, facilitates credential/permit renewals, records all credentials registered in the county, and advises out-of-state and out-of-country applicants regarding California certification requirements.

Contacting SCOE’s credentials office

The credentials office is located at the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE), 5340 Skylane Boulevard, Santa Rosa. The phone numbers for the Credentials Analysts are (707) 524-2987 and 524-2794. The fax number is (707) 524-2950. Credential Analysts can also be contacted by email at credentials@scoe.org.

Teacher Preparation & Credentialing Programs

Be a Teacher Intern Program

The Be A Teacher Intern Program is an alternate pathway to earning a Preliminary Teaching Credential that runs out of the North Coast School of Education, located at SCOE. In our two-year state accredited intern program, interns are employed as teachers during the day and attend credential classes approximately two days a week on evenings or weekends while receiving ongoing coaching from an on-site mentor, course instructors, and practicum supervisors.

Becoming a teacher in California

Supported by the California Department of Education, the TEACH California website provides information about the teacher credentialing process, teacher preparation programs, financial aid, and teaching jobs. In order to give visitors a sense of teachers’ lives, video interviews of teachers who work in different settings and samples of lesson plans are included on this website.

University-based teacher preparation programs

In the North Coast region, four universities offer teacher preparation and credentialing programs:

Humboldt State University
Sonoma State University
University of San Francisco, Santa Rosa Campus

Online certification programs

California State University offers the option of obtaining a teaching credential without attending regular university classes. The program, CalStateTEACH, combines 12-18 months of self-study, online support, and personal coaching to integrate the theory and practice of teaching with daily classroom experiences. It prepares candidates to obtain a Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential. More information about the program is available by visiting CalStateTEACH online or calling (831) 582-4624.

Affordable Colleges Online offers a listing of online colleges and universities, including a list of Best Online Teaching Degree Programs. They also provide a guide to online education and teaching degrees and an interview with program graduate.

Find Commission-approved institutions offering California preparation programs at CTC’s Approved Institutions and Programs.

Notice to Districts: Expired Credentials

What to do and how to avoid an expired credential:

• Make sure your district has a practice of checking credential expiration dates and sending reminders to employees.
• If a teacher has an expired credential, a substitute will be required to cover the class/assignment. If you do not hire a substitute teacher, your district ADA will not count. This means that your district will not receive funding from the State or your district will be invoiced by the CDE for the ADA generated by the students taught by a teacher with an expired credential.
• If you choose to hold a teacher’s and/or administrator’s paycheck, you must have given the teacher and/or administrator at least two (2) written notifications signed by the district superintendent of the district’s intent to withhold the employee’s paycheck.
• Districts should not assume that SCOE will withhold the employee’s paycheck.
• The SCOE Business Office will not withhold a teacher’s or administrator’s paycheck based on a verbal request from the district. SCOE must have a written request from the district superintendent showing proof of two (2) or more written notifications to the employee requesting that the employee obtain the appropriate credential.

Thank You for your support in confirming that your district’s teachers and administrators have the appropriate credentials.

Contacting the Commission on Teacher Credentialing

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is located at 1900 Capitol Avenue in Sacramento and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, excluding holidays. The mailing address is 1900 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95811-4213. Credential questions may also be submitted through this online form. Neither appointments nor walk-in service are available.