Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) – All Education Specialist candidates are required to take and pass a Commission-approved Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA). For ECSE, DHH, and VI candidates, this is required for those who enrolled in your program on or after July 1, 2025. Currently, the CalTPA is the only approved TPA for the ECSE, DHH, and VI credentials. Some candidates may not need to take and pass a TPA if they are earning a subsequent credential, or already hold a Clear credential.

Sunset Date for Prior Authorizations – The final date to recommend candidates for the prior credential authorizations MMD, MSD, and ECSE (Birth – PreK) is June 30, 2026. Candidates who are unable to complete the requirements, for whatever reason, will need to enroll in the new authorization credential program MMSN, ESN, or ECSE (Birth – Kindergarten) and complete that program, including passage of a teaching performance assessment. Your program will NOT be able to recommend candidates for a Preliminary MMD, MSD, or ECSE (Birth – PreK) credential after June 30, 2026.

CalTPA Transition Guidance for MMSN & ESN Programs – To support candidates and programs as they transition to the 2025-26 versions of the CalTPA beginning July 1, 2025, Education Specialist candidates who earned a passing score on a CalTPA Cycle after July 1, 2022  will be allowed to use that passing score, along with passing scores from the new versions (2025-26 or after) in the same credential area, to meet the performance assessment requirement. 

RICA updates – The final date for the administration of the RICA exam is October 31, 2025. After this date, all Education Specialist candidates who completed all other credential requirements by June 30, 2025 can take and pass the Foundations of Reading exam [ctc.ca.gov], or take and pass the literacy performance assessment to demonstrate competency in reading and literacy instruction.