Secondary School Teacher / California
2026 data California board official source

California Secondary School Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

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Instructs students in grades 7-12. Requires state teaching certificate.

What the California data shows for Secondary School Teachers

California's path to secondary school teacher licensure runs through board-approved instruction and a passing score on State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent), plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 18 can be licensed. California folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Bachelors Degree plus Subject Certification".

Upfront cost is $247, with renewal running $148 on a 5-year cycle. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 150 hours of continuing education are due every 5-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

For secondary school teachers, the reciprocity picture is: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
44/100
Secondary School Teacher · California

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training N/A
N/A
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$247
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$30/yr
$148 every 5 years
Continuing Education F
30.0 hrs/yr
150 hours every 5 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in California

Education / Training Hours
Bachelors Degree plus Subject Certification
Not specified
Exam Requirement
State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent)
Required
Initial License Fee
$247
Renewal Fee
$148
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
150 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Secondary School Teacher All California licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with California licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Secondary School Teacher in California? ▼
In California, the license path calls for, a passing score on State Subject Area Exam (Praxis II or equivalent), and a $247 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Secondary School Teacher in California? ▼
To become a licensed secondary school teacher in California, you must meet the state's requirements. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the California licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Secondary School Teacher license to California from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for secondary school teachers: State-specific — NASDTEC agreements between some states. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the California licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does California require a background check for Secondary School Teacher licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for secondary school teacher licensing in California. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Secondary School Teacher in California? ▼
Licensed secondary school teachers in California must complete 150 hours of continuing education every 5 years. The renewal fee is $148.

Related Guides

What to do with this secondary school teacher license

Secondary School Teacher in California, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a secondary school teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how California's secondary school teacher requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Secondary School Teacher in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state secondary school teacher license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how California's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. California overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the California licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.