Teacher's Aide Requirements in California
Teacher's aides generally help teachers by reinforcing lessons that have been taught, supervising students on field trips and maintaining important records such as attendance and grades. Keep reading to learn more details about this career.
How to Become a Teacher's Aide in California
Teacher's aides may also be called teacher assistants, instructional aides, and paraprofessionals depending on the school district in which the interested candidate is seeking employment. While California's requirements for becoming a teacher's aide vary from one school district to another, the general criteria are outlined in the table below.
<table border="1"><tr><td>Education Required</td><td> High School Diploma (minimum)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exam Requirements </td><td> Varies according to the school district</td></tr>
<tr><td>Average Salary (2018) </td><td> $35,350 (teacher assistants in CA)*</td></tr>
<tr><td>Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026) </td><td>8% (teacher assistants nationally)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---GeneralRequirements">General Requirements</h3><p>Someone who is interested in becoming a teacher's aide in California must have a high school diploma at a minimum. Requirements vary from one school district to another, and many prefer applicants with at least an associate's degree or those who are currently pursuing a degree in the field. Colleges that have a collaborating relationship with school districts might have programs that allow them to place students in classrooms as teacher's aides. Those placements may be, in certain situations, used to secure college credit.
</p><h3 id="section---BackgroundClearance">Background Clearance</h3><p>As is typical with educational institutions, candidates who apply for a teacher's aide position will need to pass a background clearance conducted by the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The background clearance process is initiated when the interested candidate applies for the Live Scan via the Commission on Teaching Credentialing (CTC) website. They will then be advised of the next steps to be taken. Candidates who have had their fingerprints collected in another state or by another agency are not exempt from the background clearance process. If the interested candidate has concerns about what a background check may find, must advise the CTC of the misconduct and they will advise the candidate how best to proceed.
</p><h3 id="section---Exams">Exams</h3><p>According to State law, applicants must pass a test in reading, language, and math. Candidates may have to prove they have passed the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) by providing a certified copy of the exam results. Some school districts may require other exams that are used to screen applicants.
</p><h3 id="section---PossibleAdditionalRequirements">Possible Additional Requirements</h3><p>Some schools may ask applicants to have a valid California drivers' license, a clear driving record and to get tested for tuberculosis. Certain school districts may have additional requirements that the candidate must fulfill, so it is best to confirm with the relevant educational authority in the school district of interest.
</p><h3 id="section---ApplicationProcess">Application Process</h3><p>Some school districts might require that interested candidates complete an application for issuance of a teacher assistant certificate, which would commonly be available online from the district's website. The applicant must go through the form thoroughly, as there may be some sections that must be completed by the employing school district and institutions where diplomas and/or degrees have been earned.</p>