The RICA requirement generally applies
to candidates who complete Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
or Education Specialist Instruction Credential programs
through accredited California colleges or universities
or via district intern programs. In addition, multiple subject candidates
trained outside of California and individuals seeking
to add a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential to their
existing Single Subject Teaching Credential may use a
passing score on the RICA to fulfill the teaching of reading
methods requirements.
Based on California Education Code Sections 44283
and 44283.2, the following two groups of credential applicants
are required to pass the RICA:
California-trained candidates for the initial Multiple
Subject Teaching Credential, preliminary or clear, with or without emphasis,
based on a fifth-year, blended, or intern program or on three or more years
of applicable private school experience
California-trained candidates for initial Education
Specialist Instruction Credentials (special education),
preliminary level I or clear level II
To be eligible to take the RICA, you must be taking it
for a purpose described above. If you are uncertain about
your eligibility to test, please contact the CTC.
The following groups of applicants are not
required to pass the RICA:
Applicants
Applicants NOT Required to Pass the RICA
Credential Applicants
Applicants for Single Subject
Teaching Credentials, Designated Subjects Teaching
Credentials, service credentials, or child development
permits
Applicants for internship credentials and certificates
Applicants for emergency permits
Multiple Subject
Teaching
Credential Applicants
Applicants who hold valid
California teaching credentials requiring a baccalaureate
degree and a teacher preparation program that includes
student teaching
Applicants who qualify for the Multiple Subject
Teaching Credential based on their elementary teacher
education program completed in another state
Applicants who obtained a preliminary or professional
clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with
an effective date prior to October 1, 1998
Applicants who hold valid
California teaching credentials requiring a baccalaureate
degree and a teacher preparation program that includes
student teaching
Applicants who qualify for the Education Specialist
Instructional Credential based on a teacher education
program completed in another state that included
a full curriculum of coursework in the specific
special education area sought
Applicants who are applying for an Early Childhood
Special Education Credential
Applicants who are applying for a Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
Credential under the provisions for the prelingually
deaf
Applicants who obtained a certificate of eligibility
or a preliminary level I or professional clear level
II Education Specialist Instruction Credential with
an effective date prior to January 1, 2000
