Step by step
- Ask the tutor for the exact name on their credential and which credential they hold.
- Open the Commission's lookup at ctc.ca.gov/commission/lookup (the "Search for an Educator" button on the Commission's site) and choose the public search. The page describes it as a way to "Search for the credentials, certificates, and/or permits held by public school teachers and educators."
- Search by first and last name. The Commission notes that "Searches using first and last name may have multiple results."
- Open the record that matches your tutor, and compare it with what they told you: the credential's name and any dates the record shows.
- Look for a red flag. A red online display flag appears on the lookup of a person against whom the Commission has sustained an action (Licensure Enforcement FAQs).
- Allow for recent changes. Updates and corrections "may take up to three working days" to appear. The Commission says the credential information "serves as the official record of certification."
What the credential names mean
| Credential | What it authorizes | Typical setting |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Subject Teaching Credential | "To teach all subjects in a self-contained classroom," in preschool, K–12 or adult classes (CL-561C) | Elementary classrooms, where one teacher teaches every subject |
| Single Subject Teaching Credential | "To teach the specific subject(s) named on the credential in departmentalized classes" (CL-560C) | Middle and high schools, where each teacher teaches one subject, such as mathematics or English |
Both start as a preliminary credential, "issued for a maximum of five years." The holder then earns a clear credential by completing a Commission-approved teacher induction program or earning National Board certification in a matching area.
A Certificate of Clearance is different: it shows that a person "has completed the Commission's fingerprint character and identification process," but it doesn't authorize teaching (CL-900).
What the lookup shows, and what it doesn't
| Shows | Doesn't show |
|---|---|
| The credentials, certificates and permits a person holds | Complaints under investigation: "Information regarding our investigations is confidential. Only the final decision of the Commission is public." |
| Whether the Commission has sustained an action, with a red flag | Private admonitions, which aren't published |
The lookup page doesn't say it shows when a person was fingerprinted; ask the tutor. The Commission's adverse actions include a public reproval ("a public warning"), suspension ("the temporary inactivation of a credential for a specified period"), revocation and denial of an application (Licensure Enforcement FAQs).
If you have a concern
The Commission accepts complaints from people with first-hand knowledge of misconduct. Its complaint forms and affidavits must be signed and can't be anonymous. For concerns about the quality of someone's teaching, the Commission says to contact the credential holder's employer.
The teacher at Thousand Acorns
Adriana holds a California Multiple Subject Teaching credential, which you can look up on the Commission's public search; the about page gives the name it's listed under. The about page has the details. The background checks guide explains what a credential's fingerprint clearance does and doesn't cover.
Questions parents ask
What does a red flag on the CTC lookup mean?
The Commission's FAQ says a name search will indicate if an action has been sustained against the credential holder, and that a red online display flag will also appear on the person's lookup.
What's the difference between a preliminary and a clear credential?
A preliminary Multiple Subject or Single Subject credential is issued for a maximum of five years. To earn the clear credential, the holder completes a Commission-approved teacher induction program or earns National Board certification in a matching area.
Does a credential mean the tutor passed a background check?
When the credential was issued, yes: the Commission requires fingerprint clearance through the California Department of Justice and the FBI before issuing any credential. The lookup page doesn't say it shows when that was, so ask the tutor what year they were fingerprinted.
Why can't I find my tutor in the search?
Try the exact name on their credential, since searches by first and last name can return several people and changes can take up to three working days to appear. The search covers public school educators' documents, so a tutor who has never held a California credential won't be there.
Can parents use the Secured Search?
No. The Commission says employers, authorized agencies and applicants use the Secured Search, which requires a Social Security number and date of birth. Parents use the public search.
Sources
- California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: credential lookup (Search for an Educator), undated. Opened October 13, 2026.
- CTC public search, search application. Opened October 13, 2026.
- CTC Licensure Enforcement FAQs, undated. Opened October 13, 2026.
- CTC leaflet CL-561C: Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, prepared in California, last updated October 1, 2026. Opened October 13, 2026.
- CTC leaflet CL-560C: Single Subject Teaching Credential, prepared in California, last updated October 1, 2026. Opened October 13, 2026.
- CTC leaflet CL-900: Certificate of Clearance, last updated October 1, 2026. Opened October 13, 2026.