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Basic Skills Requirement

The Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) may be satisfied by one of the following methods listed below. All options listed below require original score reports to be submitted to the School of Education.

Options

  1. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Degree

    A bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.

  2. Pass the CBEST

    The CBEST exam includes three sections — reading, writing and mathematics. Learn more about the exam by exploring the Commission on Teacher Credentialing site explaining the CBEST.

  3. Pass the CSET: Multiple Subjects plus Writing Skills

    This option would typically be for those earning a preliminary multiple subject or special education credential. When using CSET: Writing Skills to satisfy the basic skills requirement, you must also pass all three subtests of CSET: Multiple Subjects. You may not combine CSET: Writing Skills with the Reading and Mathematics sections of the CBEST to satisfy the basic skills requirement.

  4. Qualifying Score on the SAT or ACT

    Examination Math English
    College Board SAT (taken before March 2016) 550 500
    NOTE: Critical Reading (or Verbal) Section
    College Board SAT (taken after March 2016) 570 560
    NOTE: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
    ACT 23 22

  5. Qualifying score on College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Math and English examinations

    Examination Math English
    College Board Advanced Placement Examinations Score of 3 or above on one of the following:
    • AP Calculus AB
    • AP Calculus BC
    • AP Statistics
    		 Score of 3 or above on one of the following:
    • AP English Language and Composition
    • AP English Literature and Composition

  6. Demonstrate basic skills proficiency by verifying qualifying college-level coursework

    The BSR may be met through qualifying coursework, or through a combination of qualifying coursework, passage of CBEST sections, and official qualifying score reports (SAT, ACT, AP exams).

    Official transcripts must show passage of courses in reading, writing, or mathematics. Courses must have been taken at a regionally-accredited college or university for credit, passed with a grade of B- or higher, be degree applicable, and be either 3 semester or 4 quarter units. Qualifying coursework does not include professional development, continuing education units, in-service training, or workshops.

    A course that does not fall within the indicated areas below may still qualify with an additional letter of explanation. A letter from the registrar or relevant department chair of the college or university must state that a course passed by the applicant covered reading, writing, or mathematics at the same level as one of the listed courses. Such a letter could also attest that a single course sufficiently indicates proficiency in reading and writing combined.

    A Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by Coursework form must be submitted for review:

    1. Current Student Form

    2. Prospective Form

  7. Pass a Basic Skills Examination from Another State

    The Commission on Teacher Credentialing will accept basic skills examinations from other states. An original score report or letter from the testing agency verifying passage of the examination must be submitted with the application packet. There is no recency requirement for the date the examination was passed. For more information, please see the Commission on Teacher Credentialing CL-677 leaflet.