CalTPA FAQ

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved the policy that candidates are only required to take and pass two cycles of the CalTPA (MPA and LPA OR Cycle 1 and Cycle 2) to meet the TPA requirement to earn a teaching credential (Item 4D, June 2021 ). Currently, candidates register for the CalTPA or Education Specialist CalTPA that matches the credential area they are seeking. For example, a candidate pursuing a Multiple Subject credential will register for the Multiple Subject Math Performance Assessment (MPA) and the Multiple Subject Literacy Performance Assessment (LPA). Based on the Commission's policy, candidates who (a) are pursuing a dual credential or (b) shift credential areas while completing their program are allowed to mix TPA cycles. For more information, see [link to PSA] .

Candidates completing a dual credential program, (earning credentials in two areas simultaneously) should complete the cycle (MPA and LPA or Cycle 1 and Cycle 2) that best aligns with their clinical practice placement during the term they complete a TPA cycle.

For example, if a candidate is earning dual Multiple Subject and Education Specialist: Mild-to-Moderate Support Needs credentials and are completing their first semester of clinical practice in a Multiple Subject classroom and their second semester of clinical practice in a Mild-to-Moderate Support Needs classroom, they may register for and complete a Multiple Subject Performance Assessment during the first semester and the Education Specialist: Mild-to-Moderate Support Needs Performance Assessment for their second semester.

Candidates who begin a preparation program in one credential area and successfully completed Cycle 1 or the MPA but then shift to a different credential area are not required to retake Cycle 1 or the MPA in their new credential area.

For example, if a candidate begins their preparation program pursuing a Single Subject Science credential and completes and passes Cycle 1 of the CalTPA in Science but then decides to shift to pursue a Multiple Subject credential, the candidate does not need to take the Multiple Subject Math Performance Assessment. (The single subject Science TPA Cycle 1 is equivalent to the MPA.) The candidate would only be required to complete the Multiple Subject Literacy Performance Assessment; the combination of the Single Subject Science Cycle 1 and the MS LPA meet both the TPA and literacy assessment requirement for the MS credential.

Candidates who pursue any of the following credentials MUST complete a Literacy Performance Assessment:

• PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction
• Multiple Subject
• Education Specialist: Mild-to-Moderate Support Needs
• Education Specialist: Extensive Support Needs
• Education Specialist: Early Childhood
• Education Specialist: Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Education Specialist: Visual Impairment

No. Candidates who are eligible and have chosen to mix their TPA cycles across two different credential areas should select the appropriate assessment based on their credential area and/or their clinical practice placement for each cycle. If you have any questions, please check with your program faculty.