Competency Requirements & Prep Resources

Verification of the Basic Skills Requirement

Individuals may satisfy the basic skills requirement by mixing and matching the following methods ensuring they meet the proficiency requirement in all three areas: reading, writing, and math. Candidates should submit a Basic Skills Evaluation Request Form for review to soe@calpoly.edu. 

• Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP - Mathematics and English)
• Pass the CSU Placement Examinations (ELM and EPT),
• ACT Scores 
• SAT Scores 
• AP Scores
• California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
• Coursework: Courses must have been taken at a regionally accredited college or university for credit, passed with a grade of B- or better, be degree applicable, and be at least 3-semester units (or equivalent quarter units).         
  • For reading proficiency: a course in critical thinking, literature, philosophy, reading, rhetoric, or textual analysis.
  • For writing proficiency: a course in composition, English, rhetoric, written communication, or writing.
  • For mathematics proficiency: a course in algebra, geometry, mathematics, quantitative reasoning, or statistics.

If you plan to mix & match exams and coursework, you must complete a Basic Skills Evaluation Request Form and submit it to the Credential Office at soe@calpoly.edu for evaluation. Once approved a CP41-BSR form will be returned to you providing verification of Basic Skills completion. Evaluations will be completed in the order they come in and will take 4-6 weeks to be returned to the submitter.

Do not submit a Basic Skills Evaluation Request Form if you are using a single exam with qualifying scores (i.e. CBEST or SAT); official scores will need to be sent to Cal Poly rather than a form. 

See, Basic Skills Requirement for an explanation of options to meet BSR, also see AB-130 Coded Correspondence for additional information.  

Find additional clarification and answers to commonly asked questions on our Basic Skills Requirement Completion Options FAQ document. 

Verification of Subject Matter Competency

Individuals may satisfy the subject matter competency requirement by completing one of the following methods:

• Commission-Approved Subject Matter Waiver Program - Applicants may choose to complete a subject matter program from a California university. Cal Poly offers approved subject matter programs in English, Social Science, Mathematics, and Agriculture.
• California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) - Successful passing of all the subtests specific to your credential objective. The CSET typically consists of 3-4 subtests depending on the subject area (see details below). All of the subtests should be passed prior to submitting your Cal State Apply application. For exceptions, contact your content advisor. 
• Holding a Bachelors or higher in an approved major - AB 130 expands the available options to allow candidates to meet the Subject Matter Requirement through successful completion of an academic major in the subject they will teach.
• Coursework via a Cal Poly SMC Evaluation - AB 130 allows candidates to use qualifying coursework to meet the domains of CSET subtests. This option allows for some subtests to be met by coursework and some to be met by passing the CSET. For example, a candidate may meet Agriculture CSET Subtest I with qualifying coursework, and meet Subtests II & III by passing the exams. 

  • Candidates are only eligible to request Cal Poly SMC Evaluations if they are affiliated with Cal Poly, including candidates who: 

    • Completed an undergraduate degree at Cal Poly and are applying to enroll in an Educator Preparation Program at Cal Poly*

    • Completed an undergraduate degree at another institution and are applying to enroll in an Educator Preparation Program at Cal Poly 

  • Cal Poly SMC Evaluations can be requested by emailing the SOE Credential Office at soe@calpoly.edu. Include the following information in your email: full first and last name, EMPL ID (if Cal Poly undergrad), degree-granting institution, the credential program of interest, and the Cal State Apply admission deadline for the quarter you are planning to submit an application for. *We are unable to accept requests from Cal Poly undergrads who are not attending a Cal Poly credential program. 

• (See, AB-130 Coded Correspondence for additional information)