CSET Waiver Program | How to Get a CSET Waiver in California (2024)

Written by:Laura Melega,updated: 2/27/2024

What Is the CSET?

The California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) are a range of subject-specific tests designed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). The CSET is used to evaluate the skills and knowledge of aspiring public school teachers in the state of California. Based on the subject area and grade level they desire to teach, aspiring teachers will need to pass one or more CSET tests as one way to meet the requirements for teacher certification. The CSET exams are intended to help candidates meet the following certification requirements:

• Basic skills requirement
• Subject matter competence requirement
• Educational technology requirement
• Competence requirement for a Bilingual Authorization

These tests range in length and cover a wide range of subject areas. The CTC designed each exam based on different program and content standards, textbooks, and more. The skills and knowledge tested in each exam are specific to that subject area. Below, we will learn about some of the waivers available for the CSET.

What Is the CSET Waiver in California?

While many aspiring teachers wishing to teach in public schools in California take the CSET, there are circ*mstances where the CSET is no longer required. To not take the CSET, candidates must obtain a CTC CSET waiver. These waivers are available to candidates who meet certain qualifications that demonstrate that they have already met the requirements that the CSET exams are designed to evaluate. Therefore, candidates with a CSET waiver are exempt from taking the exam, as it would be a repeat of qualifications.

There are several different ways to qualify for a CSET waiver. For instance, some candidates may qualify if they take classes or complete and graduate from a subject matter prep program that the CTC has approved. There are a few different types of CSET waivers, which we will discuss in more detail below:

• CSET Subject Matter Waiver
• CSET Waiver Multiple Subjects
• Liberal Studies CSET Waiver

CSET Subject Matter Waiver

The first CTC CSET waiver, the CSET Subject Matter Waiver, exempts candidates from taking a subject-specific CSET exam. If candidates meet the requirements, they can still teach in their desired subject area. There are several ways to qualify for the CSET Subject Matter Waiver. Candidates must meet one of the following requirements:

• Compete a Bachelor of Arts (BS) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program with an embedded CSET waiver
• Earn a degree in the desired subject area
• Complete the required CTC-approved CSET waiver courses

For example, an aspiring teacher who would like to teach math would need to earn a BA or BS program with a CSET waiver embedded in it, graduate with a mathematics degree (this can be from several areas, such as applied or general mathematics), or complete math-related waiver courses required by the CTC. Some institutions may also allow candidates to complete a combination of passing CSET tests and CTC waiver courses.

CSET Waiver: Multiple Subjects

Aspiring teachers who wish to teach multiple subject areas, such as elementary school teachers, typically need to take the CSET Multiple Subjects exam. However, another CTC CSET waiver is the CSET Waiver: Multiple Subjects. To meet multiple subjects teaching credentials, candidates will have to complete a bachelor's degree program in a liberal arts major or an interdisciplinary degree program that includes coursework in the given content areas. Education specialists must also meet these Multiple Subject requirements with a major that meets the requirements or a major that meets the CSET examination content areas required for the education specialist credential. Students who are not sure if their specific major or program meets the Multiple Subjects requirements can often get a Multiple Subjects CSET Waiver evaluation from their institution. These evaluations will look at the courses that have been completed to see if they are able to fulfill the requirements.

Liberal Studies CSET Waiver

The final CTC CSET waiver, the Liberal Studies CSET Waiver, is very similar to the CSET Multiple Subjects waiver. This waiver allows candidates to be exempt from the CSET Multiple Subjects exam if they have completed a CTC-approved bachelor's degree program in liberal studies. This is because these degree programs include a wide range of courses that cover the various content areas evaluated in the CSET test. Typically, the CSET Multiple Subjects exam needs to be passed for entry to a credentialing program to complete student teaching, but those with a liberal studies degree can complete student teaching. Candidates using this method must carefully monitor their required curriculum to ensure that they meet all of the requirements for the waiver. Some liberal studies programs may offer a range of concentrations to help candidates meet requirements, such as a concentration in science, elementary education, mathematics, or Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP).

CSET Waiver Programs

There are many different institutions throughout California that have CTC-approved programs and courses that meet requirements for a CTC CSET waiver. CSET waiver courses are typically courses that are required for CTC-approved programs. These courses commonly fall into the main subject areas, such as English, Mathematics, Science, History and Social Science, and Reading and Language Arts. Many programs also require courses in Education. The specific course numbers and titles will vary by institution. Therefore, course evaluations are a useful tool to ensure that students take the correct courses to meet waiver requirements. Candidates can use the CTC website to search for approved institutions throughout the state. CTC-approved programs often include a wide range of courses. Those that cover multiple subjects will often include some education courses. Programs that focus on specific subject areas may have foundational and advanced courses in that subject area. While not an exhaustive list, the table below shows some examples of CSET waiver programs that candidates can use to be exempt from taking the CSET:

How to Submit a Waiver Request

To obtain a CTC CSET waiver, candidates must apply for the waiver. This process begins by filling out the Waiver Evaluation Request Form and submitting it to the CTC. Usually, candidates will need to have a course evaluation completed by their institution, which may come with a fee. Then, candidates will need to attach all the required documents, including transcripts, and submit the form to the CSET Waiver Electronic Repository. Candidates typically wait about 3 to 4 weeks for the request to be processed.

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