Credentialing Requirements

All Teach For America California Capital Valley corps members will be required to complete the following:

• Take the CSET and CBEST
• Provide degree-conferred transcripts
• Obtain fingerprints and a Certificate of Clearance. 

Additional documentation may be required by our district and/or school partners, including a TB test, background checks, or proof of vaccination.

Testing Details

• Information regarding how to sign up for exams and by when to take them is distributed shortly after notification of acceptance to TFA. 
• Corps members must pass all required testing prior to induction, which is typically the first week of June. 
• Some corps members may be required to take a US Constitution Exam and some may be required to take the NES-APK.

Master's Degree Option

We partner with two credentialing institutions that provide coursework to obtain a preliminary teaching credential after the first year. A master’s degree may also be obtained with additional coursework at these institutions.  

Costs

• Testing
  • CSET: $207-297
  • CBEST:  $102
  • US Constitution Exam: $60
• Credential
  • Costs are dependent on the specific program in which a corps member is enrolled. Costs range from $7,000 to $13,000. 
• Master’s Degree
  • Costs range from $11,000 to $15,000.

Financial Aid

Corps members are eligible to enroll in AmeriCorps, which allows corps members to apply an education award towards their certification costs.