Requirements/California
High School Math Teacher in California.
Subject-matter competence plus basic skills.
- Exams
- 2
- Passing scores
- 220 · 41
- Certificate
- Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential, Mathematics
The exams you have to pass
In the order most candidates take them.
01
CSET: Mathematics211/212/213
Three subtests, each passed separately.
Pass220
02
CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test)CBEST
One of several approved ways to meet the basic skills requirement, not the only one.
Pass41
What people get wrong
Each of these costs a candidate either money or a test date.
- You may not need CSET at all. Subject-matter competence can also be met by completing a Commission-approved subject-matter program, so check your programme before you register and pay.
- Foundational-Level Mathematics is a narrower credential using subtests 211 and 212 only. It does not authorise the full range of secondary mathematics.
- The literacy performance assessment requirement introduced by SB 488 applies to Multiple Subject, Education Specialist and PK-3 candidates, not to single subject mathematics.
Required, but not an exam
- A bachelor’s degree
- A Commission-approved preparation program
- A teaching performance assessment: CalTPA, edTPA or FAST
- The US Constitution requirement, by course or examination
- Certificate of Clearance and fingerprint background check
Now go pass them.
Knowing the list is the easy part. Built To Pass teaches the strategy layer that works on any of these, aimed at the domains where you are actually losing points.
Start with your examVerified 2026-08-04 against California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, RICA transition information (ctcexams.nesinc.com). Certification rules change by state board vote. Confirm with the state before you register for a test.