Certificated employees: professional services credential: out-of-state applicants.

Assembly Member Quirk-Silva's proposal to establish new credentialing pathways for out-of-state school counselors, psychologists, and social workers aims to address California's need for qualified pupil personnel services professionals. The legislation creates a two-tier system for recognizing credentials from other states while maintaining California's professional standards.

Under the proposed framework, out-of-state applicants who hold valid credentials in school counseling, psychology, or social work can obtain a preliminary California credential by meeting four basic requirements: a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, current out-of-state credentials in their specialization, partial completion of California's preparation and fieldwork requirements, and passage of required background checks. To advance to a clear credential, holders must complete two years of supervised field experience with satisfactory evaluations, fulfill remaining preparation requirements, and obtain specified supervision hours from a California credential holder through an authorized program.

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing would oversee implementation of these new pathways and must develop a comprehensive checklist of requirements for out-of-state applicants by August 2026. This documentation would detail the specific steps and processes for obtaining both preliminary and clear credentials under the new provisions. The bill maintains existing credential standards while creating an alternative route specifically designed for experienced out-of-state professionals seeking to work in California schools.