Employment Requirements
Requirements for all employees of schools in California
- Background Clearance (KIPP live scan form for both DOJ & FBI)
- Valid authorization to work in the U.S (i.e. I-9 documentation)
- Current TB test or Risk Assessment (within 60 days of start date)
- Credentialing & other requirements (Instructional and Service Providers)
Certificated Employees
Because these roles require a valid CA license to serve students, employees must hold a valid license or be eligible for a permit that is appropriate for the position.
Teachers and Instructional Leaders
Below are key documents (not a full list) you will need prior to your first day of work.
- Transcript – undergraduate transcript with a degree conferral date emailed directly from the college/university to KIPP; employees who were educated outside of the U.S. must provide a transcript from a CTC-approved evaluation service.
- Certificate of Clearance – if you do not have a current CA license or permit, you will need to take the 41-LS form to a CA live scan vendor and create a CTC account to apply for the Certificate of Clearance – see video here. The step-by-step instructions can be accessed here and follow the prompt for “Submit an Online Application.”
- See chart for a list of requirements based on licensure status
- Hold a CA Credential
- Out-of-State Candidates (General Education)
- Out-of-State Candidates (Special Education)
- Out-of-Country Candidates
- No prior credential in CA, US, or other country
Service Providers
Behavioral Analyst, Mental Health, Occupational Therapist, Psychologist, Speech Pathologist and Assistant. Below are the (role specific) key documents you will need prior to your first day of work.
- Transcript: Undergraduate and graduate transcript with a degree conferral date emailed directly from the college/university to KIPP
- License: Upon hire, all new hires will be required to upload a copy of their license into KIPP’s personnel database (Paycom)
Requirements & Credentials for Teaching Staff
The following are necessary for new instructors. Please prepare and provide the required documentation for your licensure status.
CA Credential (Intern, Preliminary or Clear)
- Undergraduate transcript
- CA or Out-of-State teaching license
- Basic Skills Requirement
Out-of-State (General Education)
- Undergraduate transcript
- CTC live scan form
- Certificate of Clearance
- CA or Out-of-State teaching license
- Basic Skills Requirement
- Induction Exemption documents
Out-of-State (Special Education)
- Undergraduate transcript
- CTC live scan form
- Certificate of Clearance
- CA or Out-of-State teaching license
- Basic Skills Requirement
- Induction Exemption documents
- Program Letter template
Out-of-Country Candidates
- Undergraduate transcript
- CTC live scan form
- Certificate of Clearance
- CA or Out-of-State teaching license
- Basic Skills Requirement
No prior credential in CA, US or other country
- Undergraduate transcript
- CTC live scan form
- Certificate of Clearance
- CA or Out-of-State teaching license
- Basic Skills Requirement
FAQ’s for Out of State/Country/no credential
Q: I am interested in getting a CA teaching credential. Where do I start?
If you do not hold any type of teaching license, start here with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), which is the licensing body for CA.
- Requirements by grade band – elementary, middle, high school, special education K-12
- Virtual Advisor – provides answers to individual questions
Q: I am already in a teaching program. What do I need to do to teach at KIPP?
It depends if you are enrolled in a program within CA or in another state.
- CA program – you will be considered for roles aligned with the subject you are pursuing. If you are not already on an intern credential, you must be eligible for an emergency teaching permit in the subject. We recommend that you confirm with your program if you are on a “student teaching” or “intern” credential pathway. It is preferable to be on an intern pathway because it provides more coverage than an emergency permit (two vs. one year).
- Out-of-State program – You must be eligible for an emergency teaching permit.
- Grades K-5: liberal arts major or 40 semester units across four disciplines
- Grades 5-12: 18 semester units in art, biology, chemistry, dance, computer science, English, math, music, physical education, science, social science, theatre, world languages
Additionally, we recommend that you connect with your program to confirm that at the end of the program you will have a professional-level teaching license that can then be used to apply for a CA credential.
Q: I don’t have a teaching license, but have a graduate degree. Does this qualify me to teach K-12 students in CA?
CA requires all prospective educators to complete a professional teacher certification program, along with other requirements as designated by the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Start here to learn about the process. While you are working toward obtaining a credential, you might be eligible for a temporary permit that will allow you to be employed as a full-time teacher if you meet Basic Skills (see here) and subject matter requirements (courses must be C or better, degree-applicable, and from a regionally accredited college/university):
- Grades K-5: liberal arts major or 40 semester units across four disciplines
- Grades 5-12: 18 semester units in art, biology, chemistry, dance, computer science, English, math, music, physical education, science, social science, theatre, world languages