Subject Matter Competency

Credential Program Materials

Preliminary Credential Program candidates may meet the Subject Matter Competency Requirement in one of three ways.

Complete an undergraduate degree major that matches the credential subject area
Pass CSET exams
Request a review of coursework aligned to the Subject Matter Domains

1. Degree to Meet Subject Matter Competence

This provision allows some undergraduate degree majors to meet the subject matter competency requirement for the credential program, so the CSET exam would be waived. More details can be found at Summary of Options by Credential Area.

Multiple Subject applicants: if you have a degree in Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts, or Elementary Education this will waive the CSET exam.
Single Subject applicants: your degree must match the subject area that you plan to teach. For example, if you want to teach English, then you must have an English degree to waive the CSET exam. If you want to teach Math, then you must hold a degree in Math to waive the CSET.
Special Education applicants: you can meet the requirement with a degree that meets the requirements for Multiple Subject or any Single Subject credential.

2. California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET)

Go to www.cset.nesinc.com for test dates, online registration, and more.
Exams may be in progress when you are applying, but scores need to be submitted as soon as possible to be eligible for admission.
All subtests indicated below, for your subject area, must be passed to be eligible for admission to a 2-semester program.
Non-passing scores may be considered for eligibility for the 3-semester program. All CSET subtests must be passed prior to starting student teaching.
Subject Matter Competency Test scores are considered valid for 10 years. Teacher certification must be recommended within that time period in order for the scores to be permanent. If you do not obtain a recommendation for your teaching credential within 10 years, you must retake the appropriate subject matter competency test.
Special Education applicants: Mild to Moderate Support Needs and Extensive Support Needs credential applicants can pass all subtests for any CSET subject area. Early Childhood Special Education applicants do not need to take any CSET exams.

Learn which subtest you are required to pass by teaching area.

Art (2 subtests required)

Test Name/ Test Code
Art: Creating & Presenting (229)
Art: Responding & Connecting (230)

English (4 subtests required)

Test Name/Test Code
Literature & Textual Analysis;
Composition & Rhetoric (105)
Language, Linguistics & Literacy (106)
Composition & Rhetoric;
Literature & Textual Analysis (107)
Communications: Speech, Media,
& Creative Performance (108)

Mathematics (3 subtests required)

Test Name/Test Code
Algebra; Number Theory (211)
Geometry; Probability & Statistics (212)
Calculus; History of Mathematics (213)

Mathematics: Foundational (2 subtests required)

Test Name/Test Code
Algebra; Number Theory (211)
Geometry; Probability & Statistics (212)

Multiple Subjects (3 subtests required)

Test Name/Test Code
Reading, Language & Literature, History,
Social Science (101)
Science, Mathematics (214)
Physical Education, Human Development,
Visual & Performing Arts (225)

Music (3 subtests required)

Test Name/Test Code
Artistic Perception, Historical and Cultural
Foundations, Aesthetic Valuing (136)
Creative Expression, Connections and
Relationships-video required (137)
Music Methodology and Repertoire (138)

Physical Education (3 subtest required)

Test Name/Test Code
Growth, Motor Development and Motor Learning;
Science of Human Movement (129)
Sociology and Psychology of Human Movement;
Movement Concepts and Form (130)
Professional Foundations; Integration of
Concepts (131)

Science: Biological Sciences* (2 subtests required)

Test Name/Test Code
General Science (215)
Life Science (217)

Science: Chemistry* (2 subtests required)

Test Name/Test Code
General Science (215)
Chemistry (218)

Science: Foundational Level* (1 subtest required)

Test Name/Test Code
General Science (215)

Science: Geoscience* (2 subtests required)

Test Name/Test Code
General Science (215)
Earth & Space Science (219)

Science: Physics* (2 subtests required)

Test Name/Test Code
General Science (215)
Physics (220)

Social Science (3 subtests required)

Test Name/Test Code
World History; World Geography (114)
U.S. History; U.S. Geography (115)
Civics; Economics; California History (116)

Spanish (3 subtests required) - BILINGUAL CREDENTIAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Test Name/Test Code
General Linguistics, Linguistics of Spanish (145)
Literary & Cultural Texts & Traditions; Cultural
Analysis and Comparison (146)
Language and Communication: Oral Expression,
Listening, Reading, and Written Expression (147)

Test Prep Resources

CSET: CSET prep guides
SD County Office of Education: CSET preparation program
Math Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI): Math and Science CSET preparation
Grant supported partnership with Butte County: Exam support resources

We are sharing these resources, but not endorsing any of them.

3. Request Coursework Review

If you have taken substantial coursework in the subject area for the credential you seek, you may request to have your coursework evaluated. We can only review coursework for applicants or currently enrolled students. Please carefully review the Subject Matter Domains for your intended credential. If you believe that you can meet the requirements through coursework please contact [email protected] to receive a request form.

Credential Advisor Contact Information

Office for Student Success: [email protected]

Credential Application Materials