•  Negative TB skin test taken within the last 4 years. (Document must include date administered, date read, and verification by signature that test was completed by an authorized medical provider or a TB Risk Assessment per Ed Code 49406).
• Copy of valid teaching/services credential.

To schedule a Live Scan (fingerprint) appointment please contact our Fingerprint Unit at (209) 381-6661or  the Credentials Office at (209) 381-6633. To schedule you for the appropriate block of time you will be asked which checklist you are following.

Report to the Merced County Office of Education, and Human Resources Office with the  following:

• Live Scan Form(s)- MCOE Clearinghouse (Download and Print)
• Valid California Driver’s License or approved State ID.
• Social Security Card.
• Fees for Fingerprinting for this permit will be $42.00

Payment Method: We are only able to accept a Money Order or cashier's Check payable to MCOE to process fingerprints. CASH, PERSONAL CHECKS, AND CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

 *Individuals who have received fingerprint clearance through other employers or agencies (private, state, or government) are not exempt from this process.

Please bring all application items with you to your fingerprint appointment. 

Once a completed Background Clearance is received MCOE will provide you clearance for our Countywide Substitute Teacher List.

• Official, college transcripts in a sealed envelope verifying a bachelor’s degree or higher from a  regionally accredited university or college accepted by CTC.
  • Electronic transcripts are acceptable as long as they are submitted directly from the college/university or e-script services provider to Tina Schultz, Credential Specialist at tschultz@mcoe.org (Note: it takes 24-48 hours for e-scripts to be received and downloaded).
  • Electronic transcripts downloaded by the applicant cannot be accepted.

• Basic Skills Requirement as outlined by CTC.  See Commission leaflet CL-667
• A negative TB skin test was taken within the last 4 years. (Document must include date administered, date read, and verification by signature that test was completed by an authorized medical provider or a TB Risk Assessment per Ed Code 49406).
• Copy of Certificate of Clearance or equivalent. If you do not hold a valid Certificate of Clearance create an educator account with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Apply for Certificate of Clearance.
  • When completing an Online application for CTC you must use your full legal name. Legal Name = Name printed on your Social Security Card. Please bring with you the confirmation receipt.
  • This is a separate Online application and the fee to be filed with the CTC application fee amount will be $52.65.
• Complete application form, Application Form 41-4 
  • Download and Print 41-4 
  • Do not follow the payment or mailing instructions listed on page 1 of the 41-4 Application.
  • A scanned copy of your signature cannot be accepted.
  • Applications must be signed with an original ink signature or an Adobe or DocuSign electronic signature.

If any of the questions in the Professional Fitness Questions section are answered with "yes," the    applicant must complete the Professional Fitness Explanation Form  and provide all requested documentation BEFORE scheduling your fingerprint appointment.

To schedule a Live Scan (fingerprint) appointment please contact our Fingerprint Unit at (209) 381-6661 or Credentials Office at (209) 381-6633. 

There are two live scan forms:

1. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)** Live Scan Form(s)- 41-LS CTC (Download and Print)

• If you hold a valid, non expired document (i.e.: Certificate of Clearance, teaching credential or permit.) with CTC, you have met this requirement and do not need to complete this live scan. 

2. The Merced County Office of Education Clearinghouse*  Live Scan Form-MCOE Clearinghouse (Download and Print)

• Clearinghouse fingerprints are required for all substitute application processes.

3. Valid California Driver’s License or approved State ID.

4. Social Security Card.

5. Fees for Fingerprinting for this permit will be:

• CTC and Clearinghouse = $101.00   OR
• MCOE Clearinghouse Only = $42.00
• Payment Method: We are only able to accept a Money Order or cashier's Check payable to MCOE to process  fingerprints. CASH, PERSONAL CHECKS, AND CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

 *Individuals who have received fingerprint clearance through other employers or agencies (private, state, or government) are not exempt from this process.

**All first-time permit/credential applicants must also be fingerprinted for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). If Fingerprinting for CTC applicants must use their full legal name at all times Application, Fingerprint 41-LS, and Educator Profile. Required documents such as Social Security Card and California Driver’s License must have names matching to process fingerprints.

Please bring all application items with you to your fingerprint appointment.  

Once a completed substitute application packet is received MCOE will complete an Online recommendation with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

Applicants will be notified via email from CTC to complete the personal and professional fitness questionnaire and payment portions of the process.

The Subject line on the email communication is “CTC Notice-Recommendation for New Document.” Make sure your POP-UP BLOCKER is turned off before beginning this process. The permit application fee is $102.65.

• Official, college transcripts in a sealed envelope from a four-year California college/university verifying completion of 90 semester or 135 quarter units and proof of current enrollment.
  • Current enrollment may be verified by courses in progress on the transcript or with an official letter from the registrar’s office.
  • Electronic transcripts are acceptable as long as they are submitted directly from the college/university or e-script services provider to Tina Schultz, Credential Specialist at tschultz@mcoe.org (Note: it takes 24-48 hours for e-scripts to be received and downloaded).
  • Electronic transcripts downloaded by the applicant cannot be accepted.
•  Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement as outlined by CTC.  See Commission leaflet CL-667
• Negative TB skin test taken within the last 4 years. (Document must include date administered, date read, and verification by signature that test was completed by an authorized medical provider or a TB Risk Assessment per Ed Code 49406).
• Copy of Certificate of Clearance or equivalent. If you do not hold a valid Certificate of Clearance create an educator account with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Apply for Certificate of Clearance.
  • When completing an Online application for CTC you must use your full legal name. Legal Name = Name printed on your Social Security Card. Please bring with you the confirmation receipt.
  • This is a separate Online application and the fee to be filed with the CTC application fee amount will be $52.65.
• Complete application form, Application Form 41-4  
  • Download and Print 41-4
  • Applications must be signed with an original ink signature or an Adobe or DocuSign electronic signature.
  • A scanned copy of your signature cannot be accepted.
  • Do not follow the payment or mailing instructions listed on page 1 of the 41-4 Application.

If any of the questions in the Professional Fitness Questions section are answered with "yes," the    applicant must complete the Professional Fitness Explanation Form  and provide all requested documentation BEFORE scheduling your fingerprint appointment.

• Complete Temporary County Certificate (download and Print), Section 1 with signature and date. 
• $100.00 money order or cashier’s check payable to Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
  •  No personal checks or Credit Cards will be accepted.

To schedule a Live Scan (fingerprint) appointment please contact our Fingerprint Unit at (209) 381-6661 or the Credentials Office at (209) 381-6633. 

There are two live scan forms:

1. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)** Live Scan Form(s)- 41-LS CTC (Download and Print)

• If you hold a valid, non expired document (i.e.: Certificate of Clearance, teaching credential or permit.) with CTC, you have met this requirement and do not need to complete this live scan. 

2. The Merced County Office of Education Clearinghouse*  Live Scan Form-MCOE Clearinghouse (Download and Print)

• Clearinghouse fingerprints are required for all substitute application processes.

3. Valid California Driver’s License or approved State ID.

4. Social Security Card.

5. Fees for Fingerprinting for this permit will be:

• CTC and Clearinghouse = $101.00   OR
• MCOE Clearinghouse Only = $42.00
• Payment Method: We are only able to accept a Money Order or cashier's Check payable to MCOE to process  fingerprints. CASH, PERSONAL CHECKS, AND CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

 *Individuals who have received fingerprint clearance through other employers or agencies (private, state, or government) are not exempt from this process.

**All first-time permit/credential applicants must also be fingerprinted for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). If Fingerprinting for CTC applicants must use their full legal name at all times Application, Fingerprint 41-LS, and Educator Profile. Required documents such as Social Security Card and California Driver’s License must have names matching to process fingerprints.

Please bring all application items with you to your fingerprint appointment. 

Once a completed substitute application packet has been received and a Certificate of Clearance is granted MCOE will forward your application and fee for a permit to CTC and provide you clearance for our Countywide Substitute Teacher List.