{"id":166,"date":"2026-02-26T17:46:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T17:46:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/education.laverne.edu\/student-success-and-advising-center\/?page_id=166"},"modified":"2026-03-05T23:45:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T23:45:42","slug":"teacher-credentialing-required-assessments-and-exams","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/education.laverne.edu\/student-success-and-advising-center\/teacher-credentialing-required-assessments-and-exams\/","title":{"rendered":"BSR & SMR"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) requires credential candidates to complete several exams and assessments to demonstrate proficiency. The sections below describe the standard requirements and provide procedures and links for candidates.<\/p>\n

For additional details, visit the California Educator Credentialing Assessments<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

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Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) is an admissions requirement for all credential programs. As of 2021 Legislature on AB 130 (Chapter 44, Statutes of 2021) expanded how candidates can satisfy this requirement.<\/p>\n

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Basic Skill Requirement can be met through one of the following<\/h5>\n
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1. Conferred Higher Education Degree<\/strong>
\nThe majority of candidates will meet the Basic Skills Requirement through their bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally-accredited institution.<\/p>\n

2. Completed Coursework<\/strong>
\nIndividuals may meet the requirement by providing official transcripts to a Commission-approved preparation program or submitted with their application packet to the Commission. The transcripts must show passage of courses in reading, writing, and mathematics as outlined below. Courses must have been taken at a regionally-accredited college or university for credit, passed with a grade of B or better, be degree applicable, and be at least 3 semester units or 4 quarter units.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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3. Coursework and Exam
\n<\/strong>The Basic Skills Requirement can be met through a combination of applicable courses and qualifying exams. Both Commission-approved programs and the Commission can determine basic skills proficiency through this combination option. The mixing-and-matching of relevant component or components from all exam options permitted under current law is acceptable with the exception of out-of-state basic skills exams.<\/p>\n

4. SAT or ACT Qualifying Scores
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5. Pass the CBEST
\n<\/strong>Individuals only need to pass The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) once; CBEST passing scores remain valid indefinitely for all credential and employment purposes<\/p>\n

6. Pass the CSET: Multiple Subjects Plus Writing Skills Examination
\n<\/strong>The California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects examination has been modified, adding an assessment of basic writing skills. Passage of the CSET: Writing Skills examination (test #142) can be added to passage of the CSET: Multiple Subjects Examination (subtests #101, 214, & 225) to meet the basic skills requirement. Passing exam scores used to meet the basic skills requirement remain valid indefinitely.<\/p>\n

7. Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement Examinations
\n<\/strong>Passing scores on the California State University (CSU) Early Assessment Program (EAP) (English and Mathematics sections) or the CSU Placement Examinations (English Placement Test [EPT] and Entry Level Mathematics [ELM]) are sufficient to meet the basic skills requirement<\/p>\n

8. College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations
\n<\/strong>A score of 3 or higher on the College Board AP English exam and AP Calculus or AP Statistics exam may also use these exam scores to meet the basic skills requirement.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Pass a Basic Skills Examination from Another State
\n<\/strong>The Commission will accept basic skills examinations from other states. A photocopy of the score report or letter from the testing agency verifying passage of the examination must be submitted with the application packet. There is no recency requirement for the date the examination was passed. See the chart Out-of-State Basic Skills Exams Guide in the Appendix at the end of this leaflet for a listing of acceptable examinations from other states.<\/p>\n

For specifications and details you can visit the Commission’s Basic Skills Requirement (CL-667)<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

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Subject Matter Competency Requirement (SMR)<\/h3>\n

California Education Code requires that all teaching credential candidates must demonstrate they are proficient in the subject matter of their intended credential.\u00a0 Candidates are required to have met and cleared their Subject Matter competency before<\/em> being intern or supervised teaching eligible. As of 2021 Legislature on AB 130 (Chapter 44, Statutes of 2021) Candidates that have not met Subject Matter Competency by degree have alternative options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Subject matter proficiency may be demonstrated through one of the following<\/h5>\n
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1. Subject matter program<\/a><\/strong>completion of a commission approved program.<\/p>\n

2. Passage of CSET<\/strong> examination<\/a>\u00a0in the subject area.
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3. Successful completion of coursework<\/strong> at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the commission in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282, as verified by Credential Analyst.<\/p>\n

4. Conferred BA\/BS or higher degree in the subject area.<\/strong> Degree\u00a0from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with the following, as applicable:<\/span><\/p>\n

For a comprehensive list of appropriate degree majors, refer to the <\/span>Appropriate Degrees to Satisfy Subject Matter Competence<\/a> webpage\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n