CalTPA

The teaching performance assessment: two instructional cycles built from real classroom teaching. Required for the Preliminary credential on every California pathway, regardless of prior experience or coursework.

$150 x 2one fee per cycle, $300 total

16 / 40cut score per cycle, 8 rubrics scored 1-5

14-15secondary passing band with program-verified evidence

The 2025-26 redesign (Version 01) is the operative version. The 2024-25 version (Version 07) retires June 30, 2026. Anyone holding partial V07 results should confirm their transition path with their program.

The two cycles

Multiple Subject / Education Specialist (MMSN, ESN) / PK-3

Cycle	Focus	Rubrics	Cut score
Cycle 1: Math Cycle	Learning About Students and Planning a Math Lesson	8	16
Cycle 2: Literacy Cycle	Assessment-Driven Literacy Instruction: 3 to 5 literacy lessons, aligned to the ELA/ELD Framework, incorporating the California Dyslexia Guidelines	8	16

Passing the Literacy Cycle satisfies the SB 488 literacy requirement. There is no separate reading exam. This is the direct replacement for RICA, which retired October 31, 2025.

Single Subject / World Languages: Cycle 1 and Cycle 2, both in the credential content area. 8 rubrics each, cut score 16. No separate literacy requirement applies to Single Subject.

How a cycle works

STEP 1

Plan

Gather contextual information on the class, select three focus students (typically one English learner, one with an IEP/504/GATE plan, one other), and plan the lesson or lesson series with a written rationale.

STEP 2

Teach and Assess

Teach the plan, video-record instruction, and collect student work samples and assessment data.

STEP 3

Reflect

Analyze the assessment results and write the analysis and reflection narratives on what the evidence shows.

STEP 4

Apply

Use the results to plan next steps, including a reteaching or extension activity.

Everything is submitted through Pearson's ePortfolio. Video consent forms are required for every student appearing on camera, and videos may not be posted publicly.

Secondary Passing Standard

A cycle scored 14 or 15 (below the 16 cut score, within one standard error of measurement) can still satisfy the TPA requirement if the preparation program reviews other evidence (observations, mentor documentation, coursework, program assessments) and certifies via Form CL-911 that the candidate has demonstrated competence across all TPE domains. Self-assessment is not acceptable evidence. Below 14, the cycle must be revised or redone. Adopted by the Commission in December 2023; details in Program Sponsor Alert 24-02.

It applies to Early Completion candidates too. PSA-24-02 (updated August 2024) states that Early Completion candidates can be recommended for a preliminary credential if they meet the secondary passing standard and the program documents TPE evidence. See Early Completion.

Retakes

Re-register, pay $150 again, and submit a new package. The prior submission is not considered; the new submission is scored in its entirety. Scores from the earlier attempt must be received before re-registering. Under the Early Completion Option there is no retake within the ECO itself; an unsuccessful attempt moves the candidate into the standard two-year program, where retakes are permitted.

Avoiding it

Ways to avoid taking it

Within a California preparation program: none. Every student-teaching and intern pathway requires it.
Out-of-state preparation (CL-561 / CL-560): teachers who completed a comparable program and credential in another state apply directly and do not take the CalTPA.
Private school experience (CL-834): with 3+ years of qualifying full-time private school teaching and satisfactory performance evaluations, candidates apply directly to the CTC with no TPA. Multiple Subject candidates still meet the literacy requirement separately (e.g., the Foundations of Reading exam).

Back to all tests and the candidate profile panel