New and renewing Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School (NPS) and Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Agency (NPA) certification applications will be collected online using the California Accountability & Improvement System (CAIS). The NPS and NPA certification renewal applications become available to existing NPS and NPA applicants on August 1. New NPS and NPA applications for initial certification are available any time during the year.
Prior to completing a new or renewing certification application, applicants should review the California Education Code (EC) sections 56365 through 56366.12, and the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 5, Section 3065, which contains the qualification standards required for an NPS or NPA to provide services to students with exceptional needs.
Due dates for NPS and NPA Certification Applications:
- New NPS and NPA applicants may submit the completed Certification Application anytime throughout the year unless the applicant falls under the requirements of EC Section 56366.1(k).
- Renewing NPS and NPA applicants must submit the completed Certification Application no later than October 31.
No refunds will be provided, pursuant to EC Section 56366.1(m).
To begin the new or renewal online certification application process, select the appropriate link below:
- New Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School Certification Application
- Renewal Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School Certification Application
- New Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Agency Certification Application
- Renewal Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Agency Certification Application
Nonpublic Agency (NPA) Questions
Questions regarding NPAs may be directed to the Special Education Division, Interagency, Nonpublic Schools/Agencies Unit contacts listed below.
First Letter of NPA Name |
Analyst |
Telephone Number |
|
|---|---|---|---|
A-C |
DJ Sandhu | 916-327-3692 |
|
D-J |
Debra Heseman | 916-327-3690 |
|
| K-P | Jennifer Anderson | janderson@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3549 |
Q-Z |
Jessica Gray | 916-327-3691 |
|
New Applications |
Jessica Gray | 916-327-3691 |
Nonpublic School (NPS) Questions
Questions regarding NPAs may be directed to the Special Education Division, Interagency, Nonpublic Schools/Agencies Unit contacts listed below.
| County | Consultant |
|
Telephone Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Alpine |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Amador |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Butte |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Calaveras |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Colusa |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Contra Costa |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Del Norte |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| El Dorado |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Fresno |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Glenn |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Humbolt |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Imperial |
Karen Allen | NPSA@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-0141 |
| Inyo |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Kern |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Kings |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Lake |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Lassen |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Los Angeles | Pamela Quiroz | pquiroz@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3699 |
| Madera |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Marin |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Mariposa |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Mendocino |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Merced |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Modoc |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Mono |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Monterey |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Napa |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Nevada |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Orange |
Karen Allen | NPSA@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-0141 |
| Placer |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Plumas |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Riverside |
Karen Allen | NPSA@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-0141 |
| Sacramento |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| San Benito |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| San Bernardino |
Karen Allen | NPSA@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-0141 |
| San Diego |
Karen Allen | NPSA@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-0141 |
| San Francisco |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| San Joaquin |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| San Luis Obispo |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| San Mateo |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Santa Barbara |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Santa Clara |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Santa Cruz |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Shasta |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Sierra |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Siskiyou |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Solano |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Sonoma |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Stanislaus |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Sutter |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Tehama |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Trinity |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Tulare |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Tuolumne |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Ventura |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Yolo |
Karen Allen |
916-327-0141 |
|
| Yuba |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
| Out-of-State NPS |
Marjorie Evans |
916-327-3691 |
|
| Out-of-State Residential | Michael Miguelgorry |
mmiguelgorry@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3656 |
| Out-of-State Residential | Kristin Kontilis | kkontilis@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0227 |
| Exceptions to County Assignments | Consultant |
|
Telephone Number |
|---|---|---|---|
Anova Center for Education Little Citizens Westside Academy Sierra Schools Spectrum Schools The Help Group T.I.E.E. Schools Bright Futures Academy |
Marco Farias |
916-324-4536 |
Instructions for New Certification as a Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School
To complete the certification application as a new Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School (NPS) through the California Accountability & Improvement System (CAIS), NPS applicants must follow the steps below:
Step |
Certification Processes for NPS |
|---|---|
1 |
Review the General Certification Information | DOC for detailed information regarding the nonpublic, nonsectarian school (NPS) certification requirements. |
2 |
Download and complete the Intent to Apply for NPS Certification (DOC). |
3 |
Mail, Fax or e-mail the completed 'Intent to Apply for NPS Certification' form: Mail: California Department of Education, Special Education Division E-mail: npsa@cde.ca.gov |
4 |
Upon receipt of the Intent to Apply for NPS Certification form, the new NPS applicant will receive an e-mail from no-reply@www.cais.ca.gov with a link to access CAIS and complete the NPS Certification Application. This e-mail is sent to the NPS contact e-mail address specified on the Intent to Apply for NPS Certification form. |
5 |
Upon entering CAIS, the applicant should thoroughly review the NPS Certification Application Instructions, prior to completing the NPS Certification Application. These instructions are located in the 'Application Instructions' section of the NPS Certification Application. |
6 |
New NPS applicants are required by California Education Code (EC) Section 56366.1(b)(1) to provide the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), in which the NPS is located, with a written notification of intent to seek certification to provide related services for individuals with exceptional needs. For initial (new) applications, the NPS must wait at least 60 days for the SELPA representative to respond prior to submitting the application to California Department of Education (CDE). If there is no response from the SELPA, the NPS may attach a copy of the certified mail receipt to the NPS certification application in CAIS as evidence it has met the requirements of the law. |
7 |
Once the applicant receives the signed notification form back from the SELPA, or the 60 days have passed, the applicant will submit the NPS Certification Application to the CDE by selecting the 'Change Status to Submitted' button in CAIS. |
8 |
Print out the NPS Request for Certification Application form found under 'Category: Part 1. Application Information-Item: NPS01: Request for Certification' and mail with a check made payable to the California Department of Education, to cover the certification fee, to: California Department of Education, Special Education Division Note: Fee requirements are listed on the NPS Request for Certification Application. |
9 |
Upon receipt of the NPS Certification Application and payment, the CDE will review and provide feedback via CAIS. Additional documentation may be required to be attached to the CAIS profile when requested. |
10 |
When the NPS Certification Application is complete and meets all of the requirements, the status of the NPS Certification Application will change to 'Accepted' and the CDE will issue and attach the NPS certification to CAIS under 'Category: Part 4: Certification-Item: NPS24: Certification- CDE Use Only'. |
Completion of the NPS Certification Application through CAIS is required for private agencies applying for certification to serve individuals with exceptional needs under EC Section 56366.1. It is strongly recommended that EC sections 56365–56366.12 and the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 3065 be reviewed for qualification standards required for a NPS to provide services to students with exceptional needs.
Instructions for Applying for Certification as a renewing Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School
To complete the certification application as a renewing Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School (NPS) through the California Accountability & Improvement System (CAIS), NPS applicants must follow the steps below:
Step |
Certification Processes for NPS |
|---|---|
1 |
Review the General Certification Information | DOC for detailed information regarding the certification requirements. |
2 |
The NPS Certification Application will automatically be added to the CAIS profile of all renewing NPS applicants on August 1. This ensures that renewing NPS applicants can begin working on the NPS Certification Application at the start of the renewal period which begins August 1 and ends on October 31. Although the NPS Certification Application will be available for completion, renewing NPS applicants must pay their certification fee by October 31 or the NPS certification application cannot be accepted. |
3 |
Upon entering CAIS the applicant should thoroughly review the NPS Certification Application Instructions, prior to completing the NPS Certification Application. These instructions are located in CAIS under the 'Application Instructions' section of the NPS Certification Application. |
4 |
Renewing nonpublic, nonsectarian schools (NPS) are required by California Education Code (EC) Section 56366.1(b)(1) to provide the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), in which the NPS is located, with a written notification of intent to renew its certification to provide related services for individuals with exceptional needs. The NPS must wait for the SELPA representative to respond, at least 30 days for renewal applications, prior to submitting the application to the California Department of Education (CDE). If there is no response from the SELPA, the NPS may attach a copy of the certified mail receipt to the NPS certification application in CAIS as evidence it has met the requirements of the law. |
5 |
No later than October 31; print out the NPS Request for Certification Application form found under 'Category: Part 1. Application Information-Item: NPS01: Request for Certification' and mail with a check made payable to the California Department of Education, to cover the certification fee, to: California Department of Education, Special Education Division Note: Fee requirements are listed on the NPS Request for Certification Application. |
6 |
Upon receipt of the NPS Certification Application and payment, the CDE will review and provide feedback via CAIS. Additional documentation may be required to be attached to the CAIS profile when requested. |
7 |
When the NPS Certification Application is complete and meets all of the requirements, the status of the NPS Certification Application will change to 'Accepted' and the CDE will issue and attach the NPS certification in CAIS under 'Category: Part 4: Certification-Item: NPS24: Certification- CDE Use Only'. |
Completion of the NPS Certification Application through CAIS is required for private schools applying for certification to serve individuals with exceptional needs under EC Section 56366.1. It is strongly recommended that EC sections 56365–56366.12 and the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 3065 be reviewed for qualification standards required for a NPS to provide services to students with exceptional needs.
Instructions for New Certification as a Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Agency
To complete the certification application as a new Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Agency (NPA) through the California Accountability & Improvement System (CAIS), NPA applicants must follow the steps below:
| Step | Certification Processes for NPA |
|---|---|
| 1 | Review the General Certification Information | DOC for detailed information regarding the nonpublic, nonsectarian agency (NPA) certification requirements. |
| 2 | Download and complete the Intent to Apply for NPA Certification (DOC). |
| 3 | Mail, fax, or e-mail the completed Intent to Apply for NPA Certification form to: Mail: California Department of Education, Special Education Division E-mail: npsa@cde.ca.gov Fax: 916-327-5233 |
| 4 | Upon receipt of the Intent to Apply for NPA Certification form, the new NPA applicants will receive an e-mail from no-reply@www.cais.ca.gov with a link to access CAIS and complete the NPA Certification Application. This e-mail is sent to the NPA contact e-mail address specified on the Intent to Apply for NPA Certification form. |
| 5 | Upon entering CAIS, the applicant should thoroughly review the NPA Certification Application Instructions, prior to completing the NPA Certification Application. These instructions are located in CAIS under the 'Application Instructions' section of the NPA Certification Application. |
| 6 | New NPA applicants are required by California Education Code (EC) Section 56366.1(b)(1) to provide the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), in which the NPA is located, with a written notification of intent to seek certification to provide related services for individuals with exceptional needs. For initial (new) applications, the NPA must wait at least 60 days for the SELPA representative to respond prior to submitting the application to the California Department of Education (CDE). If there is no response from the SELPA the NPA may attach a copy of the certified mail receipt to the NPA certification application in CAIS as evidence it has met the requirements of the law. |
| 7 | Once the applicant receives the signed notification form back from the SELPA, or the 60 days have passed, the applicant will submit the NPA Certification Application to the CDE by selecting the 'Change Status to Submitted' button in CAIS. |
| 8 | Print out the NPA Request for Certification Application form found under 'Category: Part 1. Application Information-Item: NPA01: Request for Certification' and mail with a check made payable to the California Department of Education, to cover the certification fee, to: California Department of Education, Special Education Division Note: Fee requirements are listed on the NPA Request for Certification Application. |
| 9 | Upon receipt of the NPA Certification Application and payment, the CDE will review and provide feedback via CAIS. Additional documentation may be required to be attached to the CAIS profile when requested. |
| 10 | When the NPA Certification Application is complete and meets all of the requirements, the status of the NPA Certification Application will change to 'Accepted' and the CDE will issue and attach the NPA certification in CAIS under 'Category: Part 4: Certification-Item: NPA24: Certification- CDE Use Only'. |
Completion of the NPA Certification Application through CAIS is required for private agencies applying for certification to serve individuals with exceptional needs under California EC Section 56366.1. It is strongly recommended that EC sections 56365–56366.12 and the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 3065 be reviewed for qualification standards required for a NPA to provide services to students with exceptional needs.
Instructions for Applying for Certification as a renewing Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Agency
To complete the certification application as a renewing Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Agency (NPA) through the California Accountability & Improvement System (CAIS) online system, NPA applicants must follow the steps below:
| Step | Certification Processes for NPA |
|---|---|
| 1 | Review the General Certification Information | DOC for detailed information regarding the certification requirements. |
| 2 | The NPA Certification Application will automatically be added to the CAIS profile of all renewing NPA applicants on August 1. This ensures that renewing NPS applicants can begin working on the NPA Certification Application at the start of the renewal period which begins August 1 and ends on October 31. Although the NPA Certification Application will be available for completion, renewing NPA applicants must pay their certification fee by October 31 or the NPS certification application cannot be accepted. |
| 3 | Upon entering CAIS the applicant should thoroughly review the NPA Certification Application Instructions, prior to completing the NPA Certification Application. These instructions are located in the 'Application Instructions' section of the NPA Certification Application. |
| 4 | Renewing nonpublic, nonsectarian agencies (NPA) are required by California Education Code (EC) Section 56366.1(b)(1) to provide the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), in which the NPA is located, with a written notification of intent to renew its certification to provide related services for individuals with exceptional needs. The NPA must wait for the SELPA representative to respond, at least 30 days for renewal applications, prior to submitting the application packet to the California Department of Education (CDE). If there is no response from the SELPA, the NPA may attach a copy of the certified mail receipt to the NPA certification application in CAIS as evidence it has met the requirements of the law |
| 5 | No later than October 31; print out the NPA Request for Certification Application form found under 'Category: Part 1. Application Information-Item: NPA01: Request for Certification' and mail with a check made payable to the California Department of Education, to cover the certification fee, to: California Department of Education, Special Education Division Note: Fee requirements are listed on the NPA Request for Certification Application. |
| 6 | Upon receipt of the NPA Certification Application and payment, the CDE will review and provide feedback via CAIS. Additional documentation may be required to be attached to the CAIS profile when requested. |
| 7 | When the NPA Certification Application is complete and meets all of the requirements, the status of the NPA Certification Application will change to 'Accepted' and the CDE will issue and attach the NPA certification in CAIS under 'Category: Part 4: Certification-Item: NPA24: Certification- CDE Use Only'. |
Completion of the NPA Certification Application through the CAIS online system is required for private agencies applying for certification to serve individuals with exceptional needs under California Education Code (EC) Section 56366.1. It is strongly recommended that EC sections 56365 through 56366.12 and the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 3065 be reviewed for qualification standards required for a NPA to provide services to students with exceptional needs.