Basic Skills Requirement-Commonly Known as the CBEST

The State of California requires all credential candidates to verify basic skills proficiency. Individuals may satisfy the basic skills requirement by one of the following methods:

1. Passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test Examination for Teachers (CBEST). Passing CBEST scores remain valid indefinitely. To learn more about the CBEST click here. To sign up to take this exam, http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/.
2. Pass the CSET: Multiple Subject Plus Writing Skills Examination. Test must have been taken after May 19, 2007 to meet this requirement. Passing exam scores used to meet the basic skills remain valid indefinitely. This option is only available for Multiple Subject credential students. To sign up to take this exam use test code #142, http://www.cset.nesinc.com/.
3. Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP) for math and English with a College Ready or Exempt rating. The EAP exam was an optional test that might have been taken during the Spring of the 11th grade STAR testing. You must meet the College Ready or Exempt rating in both math and English to use this option. General information and instructions for ordering score reports may be found at the ETS website at http://www.ets.org/csu.
4. Pass the CSU Placement Examinations for the Entry Level Math (ELM) section with a score of 50 or higher and the English Placement Test (EPT) section with a score of 151 or higher. If you tested prior to March 2003 the required math score was 550 or higher. You must meet the minimum score in both math and English to use this option. General information and instructions for ordering score reports may be found at the ETS website.
5. Pass a Basic Skills Examination from another State. A copy of the passing score report or a letter from the test agency verifying passage of the exam must be submitted with your application.