Credentials and Fingerprinting

The CTC is the State agency that issues California Credentials.  The contact information for CTC is:

Commission on Teacher Credentialing
651 Bannon Street, Suite 600
Sacramento, CA 95811
credentials@ctc.ca.gov

Online Credential Lookup

Anyone can conduct a credential information search for California teachers online. Credential holders and applicants, their recommending institutions, and their employers may check application and credential status. As part of the hiring process, employing school districts use this online search to verify credentials and authorizations held by candidates.

CTC Fee Information

The online application processing fee for all permits and/or credentials is $100.00. This fee is payable by debit or credit card. When submitting a paper application with the San Mateo County Office of Education Credentials Department the application evaluation fee is $100.00. This fee may be submitted in the form of a Money Order, Cashier’s Check or personal check made payable to the “Commission on Teacher Credentialing” or “CTC.”  For more detailed information on fees, please visit the CTC website.

Before applying for a credential, make sure you meet the CTC’s list of credential requirements. When submitting an initial application for a California credential, your application packets must include specified information that is required by the CTC. Please contact your employing school district for assistance.

Substitute Permits

The Substitute Permit authorizes the holder to serve as a day-to-day substitute teacher in any classroom, including preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-12 inclusive. Please see the links below to view requirements for each permit:

• Emergency 30 Day Substitute Permit (Note: If you wish to submit an initial application for the Emergency 30 Day Substitute Permit through the County Office, please submit the application form below and supporting documents directly to the credential analysts.)
• Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit for Prospective Teachers
• Emergency Career Substitute Teaching Permits

Out of State/Out of Country Credentials

Please contact your San Mateo County employing school district for assistance.

You may renew your Credential up to one year prior to the expiration of your credential.  Clear, Professional or Professional Clear Credentials and 30-Day Emergency Substitute Permits must be renewed online using a Visa or MasterCard debit or credit card payments only. The current online renewal fee is $102.65 per credential which includes a $100.00 application fee, plus a $2.65 processing fee.

Please turn off all pop-up blockers before beginning the renewal process. Visit the CTC website and click “Renew Your Document” and follow all the instructions. Fill out each section completely and accurately before moving on to the next step. If an online application is submitted with errors or incomplete information it will cause a delay in the renewal process and/or may result in your application being rejected by the CTC.

If you have difficulty renewing online, please click on the following link to view CTC’s online tutorial on how to renew your credential.

Child development permits are available for several levels, from assistant to program director, through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. 

Child Development Assistant Permit

A Child Development Assistant Permit authorizes the holder to care for and assist in the development and instruction of children in a childcare and development program under the supervision of a Child Development Permit (CDP) Associate Teacher, CDP Teacher, CDP Master Teacher, CDP Site Supervisor, or CDP Program Director.

Child Development Associate Teacher Permit

A Child Development Associate Teacher Permit authorizes the holder to provide service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a childcare and development program, and supervise a CDP Assistant, and an aide.

Child Development Teacher Permit

A Child Development Teacher Permit authorizes the holder to provide service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a childcare and development program, and supervise a CDP Associate Teacher, a CDP Assistant, and an aide.

Child Development Master Teacher Permit

A Child Development Master Teacher Permit authorizes the holder to provide service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a childcare and development program, and supervise a CDP Teacher, CDP Associate Teacher, CDP Assistant, and an aide. The permit also authorizes the holder to serve as a coordinator of curriculum and staff development in a childcare and development program.

Child Development Site Supervisor Permit

A Child Development Site Supervisor Permit authorizes the holder to supervise a childcare and development program operating at a single site; provide service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a childcare and development program; and serve as a coordinator of curriculum and staff development in a childcare and development program.

Child Development Program Director Permit

A Child Development Program Director Permit authorizes the holder to supervise a childcare and development program operated in a single site or multiple sites; provide service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a childcare and development program; and serve as coordinator of curriculum and staff development in a childcare and development program.

If you do not renew your credential or permit prior to the expiration date and you are currently working, contact your employing school district immediately for assistance.  If you have been working with an expired credential or permit, your payroll check may be delayed or withheld.