Due to a nationwide teaching shortage, educators are in high demand. The demand for teachers is especially urgent in California. But how long does it take to become a teacher, and what sort of degree or credential is necessary?
The credentials you need depend on what type of teacher you wish to become. However, regardless of the credential you pursue, you will need to earn a bachelor’s degree at minimum to meet state education requirements for teachers. You may fulfill this requirement in one of two ways:
- Earn an undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education (BAECE), before continuing on to pursue your credential separately. How long does it take to get a teaching degree and credential? This process typically takes about five years: around four years to earn the degree and up to 18 months to earn the credential.
- Complete a state-approved blended program that allows you to simultaneously pursue your bachelor’s degree while earning the credential you need. An example is the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with an Inspired Teaching and Learning Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential offered by National University.
Some students also choose to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree, which may be required to teach at the postsecondary level.
Read on to learn more about California’s teaching credential requirements and how long they typically take to complete.
Decide the Age Range You Want to Teach
Every teacher has the opportunity to share knowledge, create lesson plans, and help their students cultivate skills — but the context for these activities changes radically depending on the student’s age. For example, there are obvious differences between lecturing about abstract calculus in a collegiate setting, showing high schoolers or middle schoolers how to perform basic algebra, and teaching young children how to count to ten. While all three scenarios broadly involve teaching math, the student’s age level is ultimately what determines the appropriate teaching style, curriculum complexity, classroom activities, and learning environment.
No matter what subject (or subjects) you plan on teaching, one of the first and most fundamental decisions you’ll need to make is deciding which grade level or age range you want to teach. Alternatively, you may be interested in educating a specific student population, such as becoming a special education teacher or teaching English as a Second Language (ESL).
For some students, this decision might feel easy. For example, maybe you’ve always dreamed of becoming a college professor, or perhaps you already know that you love working with kids. However, if you’re not sure whether you’d rather teach at the postsecondary (college), secondary (high school and middle school), primary (elementary), or Kindergarten/T-K level, here are a few points to consider:
- Different credentials are required to teach different grade levels, as the next section explains in depth.
- Certain teachers are in greater demand — and are paid higher salaries on average. This data is explored under “Salary and Job Outlook for Teachers” below.
Educational Requirements for Teachers
If you’re interested in becoming a teacher in California, you’ll need to meet state-specific educational requirements per the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). These requirements vary depending on which type of teacher you plan to become, as we’ll explore them in this blog. In general, however, teachers in California are required to complete five years of postsecondary education and training.
Traditionally, many aspiring teachers have satisfied this requirement by earning a bachelor’s degree, then obtaining credentials and, potentially, a master’s or doctorate degree. Another potential path is completing a blended credentialing program, which is a program that combines the bachelor’s degree and teacher preparation credential program into one approved by the CTC.
It’s important to note that teaching credential requirements vary by state and that private schools may impose or be subject to different credentialing requirements than public schools. Therefore, if you plan on becoming a private school teacher, be sure to review each institution’s policies to determine what education or credentials are required.
With that in mind, let’s review California’s credentialing requirements for different types of public school teachers. Each credential program takes about 12 to 15 months to complete, depending on your pace of learning. Once issued, Preliminary Credentials in California are valid for 5 years, at which point they must be renewed. Renewal requests can be completed online and are generally processed within 10 days.
Early Childhood (TK) to Kindergarten
Aspiring preschool teachers must complete an Elementary Multiple-Subject Teacher Preparation Credential program.
To become a kindergarten teacher in California, you must obtain one of the teaching credentials listed below:
- Multiple Subject Credentials (K-12)
- Specialist Instruction Credential in Early Childhood Education
The time required to obtain these credentials varies, but, as stated above, most California teaching credential programs can be completed in a little over a year.
Learn more about Multiple Subject Credentials in California, or explore academic programs like our BA in Early Childhood Development with an Inspired Teaching and Learning Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
Primary and Secondary School (K-12)
California requires separate credentials for elementary and secondary school teachers.
To teach elementary school, you may need a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. To teach secondary school, which includes middle and high school, you will need a Single Subject Teaching Credential. For more, please see our complete list of teaching programs and certifications.
Special Education
Whether you wish to be a special education teacher at an elementary, middle, or high school, you will need to earn an Education Specialist Instruction Credential. This credential may be earned through a college or university program, including an internship program, or by completing a public school district intern program. Explore special education programs at National University, such as the Preliminary Education Specialist Authorization: Extensive Support Needs Teaching Credential with Internship option (California).
Postsecondary (College and Universities)
CTC credentialing requirements do not apply to college professors in California. However, most institutions of higher learning expect staff members to hold master’s or doctoral degrees. Learn more about earning a doctorate or explore our graduate degree programs.
Salary and Job Outlook for Teachers
You’ve probably heard about the ongoing national teacher shortage, which has been creating challenges for school districts throughout the United States. All it takes is a glance at the news: in July 2026, Edweek’s article Why Teachers Say They Leave the Profession—Or Say They Want to Quit lists multiple frustrations for today’s teachers.
Like many other states, California’s education sector has been deeply affected. A June 2026 Learning Policy Institute brief found that the number of substandard teaching credentials and permits (temporary authorizations meant to be issued only when fully credentialed teachers cannot be found) has more than tripled since 2012–13. More than one-third of new teachers entering California public schools in 2024–25 did so on an emergency-style permit, including 51% of new special education teachers.
California needs more fully prepared teachers. Enrollment is falling, but turnover, rising student needs, and smaller class sizes keep teacher demand high. About 14% of teachers, roughly 39,000, left or switched schools in 2024–25. Special education is hit hardest: 1 in 5 of these teachers left their positions in 2023–24. Math, science, and arts classes are also less likely to have fully credentialed teachers.
So how is this issue impacting job growth and teacher compensation? The following data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which provides detailed information on salary and job growth for various types of teaching careers.
| Type of Teacher | National Median Salary (as of 2025) | Top 10% of Earners Make more than | National Projected Job Growth (2025-2035) |
| Elementary school | $63,970 | $104,340 | 0% (little or no change) |
| Middle school | $64,370 | $102,540 | 0% (little or no change) |
| High school | $72,040 | $107,600 | 0% (little or no change) |
| College professors | $85,330 | $203,580 | 7% (much faster than average) |
| Special Education teachers | $67,170 | $105,020 | 0% (little or no change) |
| Teacher assistants | $36,780 | $50,040 | 0% (little or no change) |
The flat projected growth doesn’t mean few jobs. BLS projects about 99,400 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers each year, mostly to replace teachers who retire or change jobs. Still, your employment opportunities and earning potential will depend on what type of teacher you become, where you teach, and whether you teach at the university level.
California’s average public-school teacher earns about $29,000 more than the national average (in the chart), roughly 39% higher. That makes California the top-paying state.
According to the NEA’s 2026 Rankings & Estimates report, the national average public school teacher salary for 2024–25 is $74,495, and California has the highest average at $103,552. California is the only state where average public school teacher pay exceeds $100,000. The higher pay does shrink if you account for living costs in California.
Work Environment for Teachers
Educators work in a wide variety of settings, including public and private schools, charter schools, magnet schools, technical or vocational schools, community colleges, and universities. However, a teacher’s job duties don’t necessarily end when the school day or academic year does. Teachers frequently work long hours, as many as 54 per week, according to some findings. This includes creating lesson plans, responding to emails from students and parents, and taking papers, tests, and assignments home to grade.
It’s also important to acknowledge the enormous trend toward online learning, which initially surged due to social distancing but continues to maintain popularity among learners of all ages. In addition, this shift toward virtual learning has created numerous opportunities for educators to work remotely from home, providing alternatives to the traditional classroom setting.
Learn more about the potential pros and cons of specializing in online education, or explore National University’s comprehensive course in online teaching, which is offered to graduate and undergraduate students who are enrolled in our accredited teacher education programs.
Five Reasons to Consider Becoming a Teacher
Teaching is a challenging but rewarding profession that provides the opportunity to advance the pursuit of knowledge while positively impacting future generations. Here are five reasons to consider becoming a teacher and earning your teaching degree or credential:
- Make a difference: Most people can remember a favorite teacher who made a positive difference in their lives. You have the power to make the same impact.
- Educate future minds: Teachers can inspire younger generations, igniting a passion for learning in tomorrow’s leaders and innovators.
- Work Schedule: Teachers often work long weeks but have built-in vacation time (summers off).
- Stable Career: Educators will always be needed.
- No two days are the same: You’ll never have to experience monotony as a teacher, where every day brings a new set of activities, lessons, and material.
Become a Teacher with a Degree or Credential from National University
Ready to pursue your teaching degree or credential in California? National University offers various accredited teaching and education programs for graduate and undergraduate students, including online programs incorporating Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credentials or Special Education. So, whether you’re searching for bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, or credentials and certificates, you’ll find a program that supports your goals at National University.
