LawWiki
HomeCodesSearchGlossaryAPIAbout
LawWiki

Plain English summaries of California law with zero-hallucination AI. Every summary is verified against official source text.

Product

  • Search
  • Codes
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

© 2026 LawWiki. All rights reserved.

HomeEducation CodeCh. 2Art. 4§ 44257 Teaching Credential Subjects

§ 44257 Teaching Credential Subjects

Education Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 44257 Teaching Credential Subjects

Key Takeaways

  • •Teachers can only get a special teaching license for certain subjects like math, science, or art.
  • •Some teachers with an English license can also teach theater, and some with a PE license can also teach dance.
  • •Teachers with certain licenses (like Social Science or Math) can teach a personal finance class.
  • •Schools can hire teachers with different licenses to teach theater or dance if needed.

Example

A teacher has a license to teach English but wants to teach theater.

If the teacher got their English license before there was a special theater license, they can teach theater without needing a new license.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 44257 Teaching Credential Subjects

(a) The commission shall issue single subject teaching credentials only in the following subjects: (1) Agriculture. (2) Art. (3) Business. (4) Dance. (5) English. (6) World Language. (7) Health Science. (8) Home Economics. (9) Industrial and Technology Education. (10) Mathematics. (11) Music. (12) Physical Education. (13) Science. (14) Social Science. (15) Theater. (b) The commission shall issue the single subject teaching credential in world language with an authorization to teach Mandarin, Cantonese, French, German, Russian, Spanish, or any other language that the commission determines is appropriate. (c) Subjects that are commonly taught in departmentalized classes in California public schools shall be subsumed under the credential categories in subdivision (a). (d) The commission shall issue single subject teaching credentials in the categories that were identified in Section 44282 as of December 31, 1993, to applicants who were in the process of preparing to earn those credentials before the effective date of the commission’s implementation of subdivision (a). (e) (1) A person issued a single subject teaching credential in English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in theater is authorized to teach theater. A person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in English before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in theater shall not become subject to additional requirements for the single subject teaching credential in English as a result of the authorization provided by this paragraph. (2) A person issued a single subject teaching credential in physical education before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance is authorized to teach dance. A person pursuing a single subject teaching credential in physical education before the establishment of a single subject teaching credential in dance shall not become subject to additional requirements for the single subject teaching credential in physical education as a result of the authorization provided by this paragraph. (f) This section shall not be construed to prohibit a school district from employing a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach theater from teaching theater, or a person who holds a single subject teaching credential in another subject with an authorization to teach dance from teaching dance. (g) (1) (A) An individual holding a single subject teaching credential in Social Science, Business, Mathematics, or Home Economics is authorized to teach the personal finance course specified in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3. (B) This paragraph does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, existing law. (2) The commission may establish a supplementary authorization that authorizes individuals holding single subject teaching credentials not listed in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) to teach the personal finance course specified in subparagraph (H) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 51225.3. (Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 37, Sec. 1. (AB 2927) Effective June 29, 2024.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

educationestablishmentcommissionschoolhealthtrialteacherauthorization

Related Statutes

  • § 44253.7 Bilingual Teaching Authorization Standards
  • § 44253.4 English Language Teaching Authorization
  • § 69621 Child Development Permit Definitions
  • § 215 School Suicide Prevention Policy
  • § 44203 Credential Authorization Definitions

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 44257.
View Official Source