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Updated 7/20/2022

The recent state budget provides fee waivers to all CBEST and CSET exams from July 2022 through June 2023. The fee waiver will be available in the Pearson registration system. For more information, please visit the CTC Fee Waiver FAQ page.

CBEST - California Guidelines

On June 9, 2021 Governor Newsom signed the Education Trailer Bill AB 130 (Chap. 44, Stats. 2021).  One key provision added a coursework option to the manner in which educator preparation candidates may demonstrate basic skills proficiency.  This new provision allows Commission approved educator preparation programs to verify that a candidate has demonstrated basic skills proficiency by accepting qualifying college level coursework from a regionally accredited institution of higher education as long as the following conditions are met.

The coursework for satisfying the CBEST must meet the following:

  • Earn a grade of B- or better
  • Have been taken at a regionally accredited college or university
  • Three semester units (or equivalent quarter units)
  • Have been taken for academic credit (earned units)
  • Be degree applicable (AA degree applicable is OK)
  • For Reading, be in the subject of critical thinking, literature, philosophy, reading, rhetoric, or textual analysis
  • For Writing, be the subject of composition, English, rhetoric, written communications, or writing
  • For Mathematics, be in the subject of algebra, geometry, mathematics, quantitative reasoning, or statistics

The following coursework is NOT acceptable: 

  • Professional development or continuing education units
  • In-service training or workshops
  • Courses where credits do not apply toward the requirements for an associate’s degree, baccalaureate degree, or higher degree

Basic Skills Competency can also be met by:

  • ACT score of 22 or higher on the ACT English exam AND a score of 23 or higher on the ACT Mathematics exam
  • SAT score of 500 or higher on the Critical Reading section SAT Reasoning AND a score of 550 or higher on the SAT Mathematics section
  • AP Score of 3 or higher on AP English exam AND a score of 3 or higher on either the AP Calculus or AP Statistics exam

In addition, Commission approved programs may use a combination of available options for candidates as well.  For example, a candidate who has passed the CBEST subtests in reading and writing but not mathematics may use the two passed CBEST subtests and coursework that meets the mathematics criteria as listed above so long as the candidate earned a B or higher in that course and it was taken at a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

CBU Graduate Admissions Application Requirement: 

CBEST: To complete the CBEST portion of the application, an admissions counselor will indicate how the applicant has fulfilled the Basic Skills Requirement. The advisor will verify and attach form 41-BSR to the student's application for review.  After review has been completed, applicants will be notified by admissions to confirm eligibility of CBEST competency.

References: We will allow the option for one letter of recommendation to be waived on applications to credential and masters of education. To opt-in, please email your admissions counselor, Judy Parga, at jparga@calbaptist.edu. 

CSET - California Guidelines

As part of the 2021-22 State Budget agreement, California expanded the choices available to teaching credential candidates by permitting, for the first time, relevant collegiate-level coursework to be used to meet the Subject Matter requirements in lieu of the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET).

At this time, we have only been made aware of the following details:

If a student's undergraduate degree major is in any of the following subjects, he/she does not need the CSETs:

  • Liberal Studies (the only major that meets Multiple -Subject CSET competency)
  • Social Science
  • Math
  • Music
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Specific Science (i.e. Biology, Physics, Chemistry)

There cannot be any type of variation in the title; these are the only approved titles. (Example: English is approved, English Literature is not approved; Liberal Studies is approved, Early Childhood Education is not approved. Social Science is approved, History is not approved, etc.) 

If a student's degree is in any subject other than these areas, the student will need to take the CSETs as part of their program, but it is currently not required as part of the application process.

Check back here for the most current information as it becomes available. 

CBU Graduate Admissions Application Requirement: 

Upon having a submitted a graduate admissions application, the School of Education will evaluate the official transcripts to determine if appropriate subject matter competencies (CSETs) have been met for the corresponding credential area based on state standards. Meeting subject matter competency, either by coursework and/or testing, will still be required prior to completing the credential program. If the subject matter competency is not met through the coursework identified on the degree transcripts, student is required to meet competency through state exam(s) (CSET).

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your admissions counselor.

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