Certificate of Clearance or Emergency Teaching Permit

Supplemental Program Materials, General Education Credential

You must verify your personal and professional fitness to work in California public schools. This involves a state and federal background check, processed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). We recommend completing this process through the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE).

You must have either of the following clearances granted to be eligible for admission:

  • Certificate of Clearance (It is recommended to select this option if you don't have your degree yet)
  • Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit

Please start this process as soon as possible as it can take 50 days or more to complete. The clearance must be issued by February 1st for fall admission. 

How to Apply

There are 2 steps in applying for either of these clearances:

  1. Livescan fingerprinting:
    Fingerprinting can be done at any Live Scan location with the required fingerprinting form.

    Download Request for Live Scan Service (Form 41-LS)

  2. Online application:

Questions?

Contact the CCTC directly using their contact form:

CTC Contact Us Form

Pros and Cons

Compare the pros and cons of each method:
Certificate of Clearance Emergency Permit
Bachelor's degree can be in progress Must have earned a Bachelor's degree
Requires Live Scan fingerprinting (41-LS Fingerprint Form only) and online application to CCTC Requires Live Scan fingerprinting (41-LS Fingerprint Form AND Fingerprint Clearinghouse) and online application to CCTC (handled at the San Diego County Office of Education)
Valid for 5 years Must be renewed each year
Does NOT allow substitute teaching Allows you to substitute teach
Must be valid throughout our program and when you apply for your credential Must be valid throughout our program and when you apply for your credential