03
Foundations of Reading
A national Pearson exam adopted as an alternative literacy route for a narrow set of candidates. Not a general-purpose option.
Ways to avoid taking it
Most candidates never take this exam: passing the CalTPA Literacy Cycle satisfies the SB 488 literacy requirement on every standard pathway. It only comes up on routes that skip the CalTPA (such as CL-834 private school experience) or for the legacy groups below.
Who is eligible to use it
- Teachers holding a Preliminary credential with a RICA renewal code
- Multiple Subject / Education Specialist candidates who completed all other credential requirements except RICA by 6/30/2025
- Single Subject credential holders adding a Multiple Subject credential
- Private school teachers seeking Multiple Subject, PK-3 ECE, or Education Specialist credentials
- Teachers prepared in another country
Background: RICA retired October 31, 2025 under SB 488. Its replacement for standard pathways is the Literacy Performance Assessment embedded in the TPA, not this exam.