Frequently Asked Questions about the OCDE CTE Credential Program (FAQ) 2022
You must have:
- Three (3) years of industry experience within the past 10 years with one year in
the past 5 years
- Copy of High School Diploma or official college transcript
- Certificate of Clearance with Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
- Pay fee of $300
.
There are 15 industry sectors:
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Arts, Media, and Entertainment
- Building and Construction Trades
- Business and Finance
- Education, Child Development,and Family Services
- Energy, Environment, and Utilities
- Engineering and Architecture
- Fashion and Interior Design
- Health Science and Medical Technology
- Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation
- Information and Communications Technologies
- Manufacturing and Product Development
- Marketing, Sales, and Service
- Public Services
- Transportation
Yes, if you qualify for more than one industry sector you can apply for multiples. On the 41-4 form, you put one industry sector on page 1 and the other(s) on Page 5 in the box under your signature.
You need to submit a copy of your high school diploma or an official college transcript.The official electronic transcript can be sent to:ctecredentials@ocde.us
Mail it to:
Orange County Department of Education - CTE Credential Program
200 Kalmus Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Complete the Live Scan fingerprinting and then go to:www.ctc.ca.gov, create a user id and apply for the Certificate of Clearance. Instructions are in the application packet.
If you have been hired by a school district, you need two sets of fingerprints. One is for the school district/county to be a reporting agency. This goes through the DOJ. The other is for the CA CTC (Commission on Teacher Credentialing to be a reporting agency. This goes through the DOJ and FBI evaluation.
Log into your Educator Account at www.ctc.ca.gov. You will see the recommendation.Click on the NO and change it to YES. Then click on COMPLETE. It will ask you someverification questions (many of the questions do not apply to the CTE credential so your response is N/A or SKIP). Then you click on the Pay button (The CTC is waiving the fee
this year so you will not be charged) verify the professional fitness questions. Then you finish.
The preliminary credential is valid for three years from when you are recommended.
If anything is missing we communicate with you to complete the application packet. Then you will receive an email from the CTC that you have been recommended for the preliminary CTE credential. You need to complete the recommendation at www.ctc.ca.gov.
When your application is ready for the final review, we add you to Bridge, our data tracking program; and Canvas, our learning platform. The programs send emails about the items you will need to complete to clear the credential. Instructions will be in the welcome email.
OCDE CTE Credential Program
Please go to and bookmark: http://ocdecte.bridgeapp.com
- It will take you to MY LEARNING page and you will see the Program – First Time Candidate or Credential Holders - click on the program
- Once you click on the program you will have the list of milestones to meet during your preliminary CTE credential to guide you to clear the credential
- If a milestone has OCDE in the title, it means that OCDE will complete this information for you.
- If it does not have OCDE in the title as in Privacy Policy, it is for you to manage.
- You can click on the Resource box and download the Privacy Policy, sign it, and upload the signed copy under evidence. You upload the document by dragging it to the Upload a File box or selecting the file from your storage.
- Once uploaded, Mark it Complete. Then go Back to Program or My Learning
- Anytime that you have a question, please contact us at ctecredentials@ocde.us
Canvas is the Learning Platform for the classes. If you go to Bridge, you should review the Program Orientation that will lead you through how Canvas works.
Early Orientation is to be completed within the first 30 days of holding the preliminary CTE credential.
You need to meet the requirements of the credential
First Time Credential Holders - Coursework
