Preliminary Credential Completion, Application, and Recommendation Process

Per CTC requirements, all universities are required to submit credential applications online. A valid email address and Visa or MasterCard debit/credit card is required to apply for a credential.

In the final semester of the program, candidates will complete the required credential application and submit it with all required documents to the CSSC. In preparation for completing and applying for your PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Preliminary Credential, use the Exit Criteria Checklist to Apply for the Preliminary Credential. In order to be recommended for the credential, all items on the checklist must be completed and verified. Please note that your social security number must be on file with the University.

The Credential Student Service Center (CSSC) will send candidates detailed instructions to apply for the preliminary credential during the spring semester of the credential program. For all credential programs and types, please review the Program Completion section found on Credential Student Service Center’s website to confirm the process required to apply for your credential. Note: It is the candidate’s responsibility to make sure they have completed all the necessary items in order to begin the application process. Keep in mind that incomplete items will create delays in the processing of the credential. 

Completion/Application Process

1. Thoroughly complete the Credential Completer Application Part 1. Please be sure to use an email address that you will check.

2. Open the email that will be sent to you from CSUEB (Adobe Sign).

3. Click on the blue 'Review and Approve' button to open the Credential Completer Application Part Two. 

4. Read the Credential Filing Process instructions and then follow the prompts to complete the application.

5. Pay the Credential Processing fee of $25.00 using CashNet to make the payment.

6. Attach a PDF (not a webpage, not an image) of the receipt to the application.

   1. For faster processing (even documents have been submitted previously), attach as many required documents to the Completer Application as possible. Continue to click the yellow Next button until you can select your credential type of authorization and term of authorization.

7. Scroll down to electronically sign and click on the blue Click to Approve button on the lower right to submit the form.

   1. Additional documents that cannot be attached to the Completer Application can be emailed as PDF attachments to csscdocuments@csueastbay.edu with candidate full name, program name/completer in the subject line. Do not send zip drives, links, or documents that have restrictions or require passwords.

Credential Recommendation Process

Credential applications will be processed in the order in which they are received by the CSSC. Depending upon the volume of applications, it may take several weeks before the credential application is processed. Applications submitted with coursework still in progress will be partially processed and then held until grades are posted. Processing is completed at the end of the semester after grades are posted and all requirements have been met.

Upon completion of the credential completion/application process, the CSSC will do the following in order to make a recommendation to the CTC to grant the credential to the candidate:

1. The CSSC will check all documents submitted by the candidate and verify credential eligibility. 

   1. The CSSC will contact candidates by email if anything is missing.

2. Upon document and eligibility verification, the CSSC will submit the candidate application to the CTC.

The CTC will email the candidate with instructions to complete the personal and professional fitness questionnaire and payment portions of the process. Once the credential has been recommended to the CTC, candidates MUST regularly check the email provided to the CTC in the credential application. 

Upon receipt of the CTC’s instructions via email, candidates must do the following in order to complete the credential application and recommendation process:

1. Log in on the CTC website.

2. Click on Complete Your Program’s Recommendation.

3. Submit payment promptly (before 90 days) or the application will be canceled. If canceled, the CTC will require a second application and payment to be submitted. Usually within a day, the CTC will forward the candidate a payment confirmation number. 

4. The CTC will issue an electronic document for the candidate to print. 

   1. This is official verification that the candidate will be issued a credential; candidates will not receive a hard copy of the credential document. The official credential will be posted on the CTC website. The CTC will also send the candidate an email confirmation that the credential has been issued.

   2. The issuance date for the credential will be the last day of the quarter or the last day that an outstanding item was met, whichever is later.

5. Confirm the accuracy of the information contained within the credential document issued by the CTC. It is the candidate’s responsibility to confirm the accuracy of the information contained within the credential document issued by the CTC. 

   1. Candidates should contact the CSSC office immediately if there are any errors found in the credential document.

Request Letter of Good Standing (for edJoin credential evidence)

When applying for employment and a prospective employer is in need of verification of a credential, a candidate may request a Letter of Good Standing from the CSSC while waiting for the preliminary credential to be granted. These letters are processed along with all credential processing, so please plan carefully to meet any necessary deadlines. More information on the required steps to obtain credential verifications, including Out-of-State Verifications, can be found on required steps to obtain credential verifications, including Out-of-State Verifications, can be found on the CSSC website.