1. A completed Application for Credential Authorizing Public School Service 
2. Proof of a high school diploma
3. A work verification letter or letters that support your recent industry work. 

4. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) certification adult and child*
   * Optional when you apply, but required before we can make the preliminary credential recommendation starting July 1, 2025. Not required for existing clear multiple subject, single subject or educational specialist credential-holders.

In the event that you need to use industry-related college units, a year of full-time K-12 teaching or an advanced industry certificates towards fulfilling the overall 3-year work experience requirement you may provide the following materials: 

• Official college transcripts, and either
• a letter from an human resources representative documenting a year of teaching, or 
• an advanced industry certificate

Note that these materials may NOT be used towards satisfying the recent work requirement. Do not collect or send more documents than are necessary. 

No other kinds of documents (resumes, pay stubs, evaluations, etc.) are accepted.

1. Once you have reviewed the requirements for applying, obtain the following materials:

• Application for Credential Authorizing Public School Service
• CPR certification card
• your work verification letter(s)
• Any other necessary and acceptable documents described above

2. Complete this ACOE CTE Program Online Application Form and attach the items above. We no longer accept paper applications. Do not complete the form until you have gathered the items above.

3. Have your official proof of high school graduation sent to cte@acoe.org (preferred) or by US Mail (see intructions below). 

Application of Credential Authorizing Public School Service

Complete the online Application of Credential Authorizing Public School Service from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. When you complete their form a pdf will be created. You will upload the pdf to the ACOE CTE Program Online Application form. 

CPR Certification 

A card or certificate from training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that covers infant, child, and adult CPR skills that meets the standards established by the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross, such as, but not limited to those found here. 

Proof of High School Diploma

Acceptable documents:

• Post-secondary transcript sent from the college either by US Mail or a secure digital transcript service with a degree conferred.
• An original high school diploma
• An original diploma based on the passage of the GED Test.
• Foreign equivalent of a high school diploma (see Foreign Transcript Evaluators)

Send secure digital transcripts to cte@acoe.org

Send official unopened transcripts in sealed envelopes to Career Technical Education, ACOE, 313 W. Winton AV RM 250, Hayward, CA 94544. 

We strongly encourage you to use a post-secondary transcript as proof of high school

diploma if that is an option for you! College transcripts are easy to obtain, usually less expensive, are replaceable, and can be used to evaluate industry-related credits if needed. 

One Year of P-12 School Teaching 

If you will be using one year of full time preschool through grade 12 teaching to count as one year towards the 3-year overall work experience requirement, then obtain a letter signed by a representative of the human resources department of the school or district that you worked for that attests to the period of time that you worked and your position as a teacher. 

Upload a copy of the letter to the ACOE CTE Program Online Application Form at the time you submit your work verification letter(s) and CPR certification.

Advanced Industry Certificate

If you will be using an advanced industry certificate to to count as one year towards the 3-year overall work experience requirement, then upload a copy of it to the ACOE CTE Program Online Application Form at the time you submit your work verification letter(s) and CPR certification.

Work Verification Letters

The work verification letter(s) must contain certain items to fulfill the Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s requirements. If any items are missing the letter will be unacceptable. The letter(s) must contain:

• 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 the employment was less than full time, an accounting of the number of hours the applicant was employed part-time is required.

Work as an Employee

If you were an employee or worked as a volunteer then you only need a letter from an

employer. 

Self-Employment
If you were self-employed or if your experience was avocational (hobby) you will need:

1. A self-employment letter
2. A notarized statement, signed by you under penalty of perjury, detailing the information described above. 
3. A letter substantiated, in writing, by other person(s) having first-hand knowledge of your self employment or avocation, such as your accountant, major supplier of goods, or major user of goods or services.

Ask the people providing their verification letter to use the format on the examples that

follow. If the letter follows the examples, it will include all of the required items. Make

sure the people who write the letters use their letterhead and sign them. The

letterhead should have a company logo or be on personal stationary.

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