The Tests

What they are, what is on them, and what they cost. Set the three switches to a candidate profile and each test below re-labels itself; open any test for its full page.

Candidate profile

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution Satisfies Basic Skills outright under SB 153

Degree major matches the credential area Liberal Studies or interdisciplinary for Multiple Subject; matching major for Single Subject

Planning the Early Completion Option The one-year challenge pathway adds the NES APK

Estimated exam cost

$300

Exam fees only. Application fees and tuition are on Costs and Aid.

Basic Skills Requirement

Met by the degree

Nine ways to satisfy it, and a bachelor's degree covers it outright with no exam and no form. The CBEST still exists but is rarely needed.

Leaflet CL-667 / scores never expire

Subject Matter Competence

Required (5 routes)

The requirement that gates intern program admission. Five routes satisfy it; four of them avoid the CSET entirely.

AB 130 / Ed Code 44259, 44282

CSET

One of the 5 SMC routes

The subject matter exam, taken only when no transcript route fits. Multiple Subjects runs three subtests; each needs a scaled 220.

$99 per subtest / $247 for all three

CalTPA

Required for everyone

Two instructional cycles built from real teaching: plans, video, student work, and analysis. Required on every California pathway; the Literacy Cycle replaced RICA.

$150 per cycle / cut score 16 of 40

NES APK

ECO only

The Early Completion Option's entry exam: pedagogy, learning, assessment, and professional knowledge. Must be passed before the TPA under the ECO.

~$145 / passing score 220 / unlimited retakes

Foundations of Reading

Narrow eligibility only

A literacy stopgap for a short list of candidate groups. On standard pathways the CalTPA Literacy Cycle covers the literacy requirement instead.

National Pearson exam