Clinical Practice Equivalency

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PK-3 credential candidates can apply for a clinical practice equivalency for up to 200 hours of their practicum hours in a PK or TK setting. There are two equivalency options listed below. 

Equivalency Option 1 – Professional Work Experience 

PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential candidates who meet both the requirements outlined in subsections (A) and (B) below shall be granted equivalence for 200 hours of the required clinical practice experience in a PK or TK setting within the program of professional preparation. Candidates who are eligible for this clinical practice equivalence must meet both of the following criteria: 

  1. Hold a valid Child Development Permit at the Teacher level or higher or verify employment as a lead teacher in a Head Start program or a childcare and development center serving preschool-aged children, and 
  2. Verify six (6) years or more of satisfactory, full-time teaching experience as a lead teacher in a public or private center-based childcare and development program serving preschool-aged children that is either a license-exempt childcare and development center pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 1596.792(o) or holds a license as defined in section 101152(l)(1), Article 1, Chapter 1, Division 12, of Title 22. (Programs and candidates can confirm whether or not a center is so-licensed by visiting the Community Care Licensing website: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing) 

Candidates holding the Assistant and Associate level permits do not qualify for the clinical practice equivalency under this part of the standard. 

Required documents to upload:

  • Proof that you hold a valid Child Development Permit at the Teacher level or higher AND
  • Letter from employer to verify 6 years or more of satisfactory full time teacher as described in Section B.

Equivalency Option 2 – Completion of Practicum(s) in Early Childhood Education 

Candidates for the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential who have completed a practicum course at a regionally accredited institution of higher education, including a community college, shall be granted clinical practice equivalency for these hours commensurate with the number of hours served in the practicum course, up to a maximum of 200 hours, provided that all of the following conditions are met: 

  1. The practicum course is credit bearing and degree applicable towards a Teacher level or higher-level Child Development Permit or a degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Child and Adolescent Development, Early Childhood Studies, or Human Development. 
  2. The practicum hours completed were in a preschool or early childhood setting serving 3–4-year-old children and included clinical practice experience that was supervised at minimum by a trained faculty member/instructor who provided observation and feedback to the candidate. 
  3. The candidate earned a C or better on the practicum course. Courses earned with a “Pass” or another designation deemed by the institution of higher education to be equivalent to a grade of “C” or higher are also acceptable.

            Supporting documents to upload:

            • Official transcript from institution(s) – required
            • At least one of the documents below is required. The document must demonstrate all of the following: number hours completed, that hours were supervised, and attached to the corresponding course:
              • Syllabi for corresponding courses
              • Letter from your program with letterhead
              • Supervision log

            Directions:

            1. Gather all of your required documentation based on the two options above. You can only select 1 option for clinical practice equivalency.
            2. Submit all documentation on Qualtrics at : https://csudh.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3OVaxHeqQsv14J8