CS Teaching Credentials
California Teaching Credentials for CS
While there is no single-subject credential for CS in CA, teachers with the following credentials are authorized to instruct CS:
Single-subject Math
Single-subject Business (CSET/Information Technology, Business Environment and Communication, Subtest 177)
Single-subject Industrial & Technology Education/Arts (CSET/Power and Energy; Information and Communication; Project and Product Development, Subtest 185)
Designated Subject CTE/Information & Communication Technology OR Arts, Media and Entertainment
Also, teachers with any single-subject or multiple-subjects credential may earn an Introductory or Specific Supplementary Authorization in CS by:
Completing a college major in CS
20 semester units in CS
10 upper-division semester units in CS or graduate-level coursework
The Introductory Supplementary Authorization authorizes the holder to teach CS content in grade 9 and below. Specific Supplementary Authorizations authorize the holder to teach core academic CS courses for all grades.
No additional credential or authorization is required for a teacher to integrate computational thinking and/or CS content into a non-CS course. However, schools and teachers should participate in professional learning activities to better understand CS content and pedagogy, as well as how to effectively integrate CS into existing courses.
For more information:
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing leaflets pertaining to CS-related credentials
Application for Credential Authorizing Public School Service (CTE Designated Subject)
Application for Credential Authorizing Public School Service (Supplementary Authorizations)
UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, CSU Sacramento and CSU San Francisco offer CS coursework for in-service teachers
Application for Credential Authorizing Public School Service (CSET -- CA Subject Examinations for Teachers)
To add authorization in Business or Industrial & Technology Education/Arts to an existing single or multiple subjects credential
References for credential guidance
Administrators Assignment Manual, p. 30 and 81
CS Equity Guide v. 2.0, p. 29-30
CA Computer Science Implementation Plan), p. 22-25
The rules and regulations about who can and can't teach computer science in California can be very confusing. In an effort to simplify the issues and to identify our goals, ACCESS prepared this infographic.