RICA®

Qualifying U.S. military members may have funding options through Pearson VUE.

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you need to take the RICA:

• Are you enrolled in the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential program?
• Are you enrolled in the Educational Specialist Instruction Credential program?

You most likely DO NOT need to take the RICA test if any of the following applies to you:

• Your teacher education program completion from another state has exempted you from the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
• You received a preliminary or professional clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential prior to October 1, 1998.
• You hold valid California teaching credentials in which a baccalaureate degree was obtained and a teacher preparation program, including student teaching, was completed.
• You qualify for the Education Specialist Instructional Credential.
• You are applying for an Early Childhood Special Education Credential.
• You have obtained a certificate of eligibility, a preliminary level I, or professional clear level II Education Specialist Instruction Credential with an effective date prior to January 1, 2000.
• You are an applicant for a Single Subject Teaching Credential, Designated Subjects Teaching Credential, Eminence Credential, service credential, or child development permit.
• You are an applicant for an internship credential and certificate.
• You are an applicant for an emergency permit, a provisional internship permit, or a short-term staff permit.
• You are an applicant applying to teach an American Indian language only.

If you are still uncertain about your eligibility to test, please contact the CTC for approval to test.

You may be eligible for testing accommodations if you have one or more disability, one or more health conditions, if English is not your primary language, or if you are nursing/breastfeeding.

You will need to submit a request to receive accommodations. The accommodating testing procedures provided will correspond with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. There are some accommodations that do not require a request form, including general medical aids like EpiPens, inhalers, etc. as well as devices for mobility like wheelchairs, canes, etc. The testing site provides some general accommodations like headphones, tissues, etc. which can be used by anyone. You will find a comprehensive list of pre-approved medical resources on Pearson VUE.

If you are approved to receive testing accommodations, you may be directed to a specific testing center that can provide you with the environment and support you need.

If you are visually impaired, braille testing materials will be available, and you will be allowed to have a medical device in the testing room (if needed).

If you are a nursing mother who needs to bring in specialized equipment or storage materials, be aware that children will not be allowed in the testing center or into the secure testing room. Nursing mothers will not be able to leave the test center once testing has begun, and time taken for breaks is considered part of the available testing time.

Note: Due to the format of the RICA Video Performance Assessment, many of the typical testing accommodations may not apply.

‍To request testing accommodations:

1. Register for the RICA and ensure you have identified your intent to receive testing accommodations (Don’t schedule a testing appointment yet).
2. Complete and submit the applicable Alternative Testing Arrangement Request Form.
3. Submit any other required documentation (listed under Required Documentation).
4. Check for and follow instructions from the email confirming your testing accommodations (This should come in 1-3 weeks after request is received).
5. Schedule your test appointment.

Create a study plan, and try to make a study time schedule and stick to it. Create the study plan several weeks before the test to ensure you have plenty of time to prepare. Connecting with a group of peers who are also taking the RICA may be helpful to keep you on pace.

See the following example of a general study plan:

• Choose one section to focus on at a time.
• Take the practice test.
• Use results of the practice test to identify areas for improvement.
• Use our online test prep resources to prepare and improve.
• Take the practice test again to see improvement.

RICA Written Examination: The CTC site includes RICA Written Exam prep materials. Go through as many sample questions as possible to familiarize yourself with what will be asked and expected of you.

RICA Video Performance Assessment: Due to the format of the RICA Video assessment, there are not as many options for test prep. However, the CTC site includes RICA Video Performance Assessment Preparation Materials.

You can retake the RICA as many times as you need. You’ll need to complete the registration process again and wait 45 days before retaking the test. You may choose to switch between the written and video exam for retesting.

We recommend preparing for your exam with this test prep course to help you get the results you want.