New or renewing Nonpublic School or Nonpublic Agency certification applications will be collected online using the California Accountability and Improvement System (CAIS). The Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School (NPS) and Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Agency (NPA) certification renewal applications became available to existing NPS and NPA applicants on August 1, 2012. New Nonpublic School or Nonpublic Agency 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.
To begin the new or renewal online certification application process, select the appropriate link below:
Nonpublic Agency (NPA) Questions
Questions regarding NPAs may be directed to the SED, IA-NPSA contacts listed below.
First Letter of NPA Name |
Analyst |
Area Code (916) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
A-E |
Marjorie Evans | 327-3691 |
|
F-O |
Debra Heseman | 327-3690 |
|
P-Z |
Linda Warren | 445-7313 |
|
Out-of-State NPA |
Linda Warren | 445-7313 |
Nonpublic School (NPS) Questions
Questions regarding NPSs may be directed to the SED, IA-NPSA contacts listed below.
| County | Consultant |
|
Area Code (916) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Alpine |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Amador |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Butte |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Calaveras |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Colusa |
Kathleen Halvorson |
319-0769 |
|
| Contra Costa |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Del Norte |
Kathleen Halvorson |
319-0769 |
|
| El Dorado |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Fresno |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Glenn |
Kathleen Halvorson |
319-0769 |
|
| Humbolt |
Kathleen Halvorson |
319-0769 |
|
| Imperial |
Peggy Hernandez | phernandez@cde.ca.gov | 327-3546 |
| Inyo |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Kern |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Kings |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Lake |
Kathleen Halvorson |
319-0769 |
|
| Lassen |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Los Angeles | Pamela Quiroz | pquiroz@cde.ca.gov | 327-3699 |
| Madera |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Marin |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Mariposa |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Mendocino |
Kathleen Halvorson |
319-0769 |
|
| Merced |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Modoc |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Mono |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Monterey |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Napa |
Kathleen Halvorson |
319-0769 |
|
| Nevada |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Orange |
Peggy Hernandez | phernandez@cde.ca.gov | 327-3546 |
| Placer |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Plumas |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Riverside |
Peggy Hernandez | phernandez@cde.ca.gov | 327-3546 |
| Sacramento |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| San Benito |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| San Bernardino |
Peggy Hernandez | phernandez@cde.ca.gov | 327-3546 |
| San Diego |
Peggy Hernandez | phernandez@cde.ca.gov | 327-3546 |
| San Francisco |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| San Joaquin |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| San Luis Obispo |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| San Mateo |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Santa Barbara |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Santa Clara |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Santa Cruz |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Shasta |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Sierra |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Siskiyou |
Kathleen Halvorson |
319-0769 |
|
| Solano |
Kathleen Halvorson |
319-0769 |
|
| Sonoma |
Kathleen Halvorson |
319-0769 |
|
| Stanislaus |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Sutter |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Tehama |
Kathleen Halvorson |
319-0769 |
|
| Trinity |
Kathleen Halvorson |
319-0769 |
|
| Tulare |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Tuolumne |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Ventura |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
|
| Yolo |
Kathleen Halvorson |
319-0769 |
|
| Yuba |
Shari Presnall |
spresnall@cde.ca.gov | 445-2994 |
| Out-of-State NPS |
Steve Perez |
327-4216 |
| Exceptions to County Assignments | Consultant |
|
Area Code (916) |
|---|---|---|---|
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 |
324-4536 |
Instructions for Applying for Certification as a Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School
To complete the certification application as a new or renewing Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School (NPS) through the California Accountability and Improvement System (CAIS) online system, NPS applicants must follow the steps below:
Step |
Certfication Processes for NPS |
|---|---|
1 |
Review the General Certification Information (DOC) for detailed information regarding the certification requirements. |
2 |
Download and complete the NPS Request for Certification Application (DOC). Note: If applying as a new NPS, check the “New” box. If applying as a renewing NPS check the “Renewal” box. If an NPS is relocating to a new site, check both the “Renewal” and “Relocation” boxes. |
3 |
No later than October 31, mail the completed NPS Request for Certification Application and a check to cover the certification fee, made payable to the California Department of Education (CDE), to: California Department of Education, Special Education Division
|
4 |
New NPS applicants: Upon receipt of the check and the NPS Request for Certification Application, the new NPS applicants will receive an e-mail from no-reply@www.cais.ca.gov with a link to access the CAIS online system to complete the NPS Certification Application. This e-mail is sent to the NPS contact e-mail address specified on the NPS Request for Certification Application. Renewing NPS applicants: 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. |
5 |
Upon entering the CAIS online system, the applicant should thoroughly review the NPS Certification Application Instructions, prior to completing the NPS Certification Application. These instructions are located in the CAIS online system in the ‘Application Instructions’ section of the NPS Certification Application. |
6 |
Once the NPS Certification Application is complete, the applicant must notify the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) in which the NPS is located that the NPS Certification Application is available for SELPA review. Once the SELPA is notified and has an opportunity to review the NPS Certification Application, the applicant will submit the NPS Certification Application to the CDE by selecting the ‘Submit to State’ button in the CAIS online system. Please note: If the SELPA is unresponsive, the applicant should submit the NPS Certification Application through the CAIS online system. |
7 |
Upon receipt of the NPS Certification Application, the CDE will review and provide feedback in the CAIS online system. Attachment of additional documentation to the CAIS online system may be required. |
8 |
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 the CAIS online system. |
Completion of the NPS Certification Application through the CAIS online system is required for private schools 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 NPS to provide services to students with exceptional needs.
Due dates for NPS Certification Applications:
- New NPS applicants may submit the completed NPS Certification Application throughout the year unless the applicant falls under the requirements of EC Section 56366.1(k).
- Renewing NPS applicants must submit the completed NPS Certification Application by no later than October 31, 2012.
Failure to submit a completed NPS Certification Application within the appropriate time frame will result in the denial of the application.
No refunds will be provided, pursuant to EC Section 56366.1(m).
Instructions for Applying for Certification as a Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Agency
To complete the certification application as a new or renewing Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Agency (NPA) through the California Accountability and 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 |
Download and complete the NPA Request for Certification Application (DOC). Note: If applying as a new NPA, check the “New” box. If applying as a renewing NPA check the “Renewal” box. |
3 |
No later than October 31, mail the completed NPA Request for Certification Application and a check to cover the certification fee, made payable to the California Department of Education (CDE), to: California Department of Education, Special Education Division Note: Fee requirements are listed on the NPA Request for Certification Application. |
4 |
New NPA applicants: Upon receipt of the check and the NPA Request for Certification Application, the new NPA applicants will receive an e-mail from no-reply@www.cais.ca.gov with a link to access the CAIS online system to complete the NPA Certification Application. This e-mail is sent to the NPA contact e-mail address specified on the NPA Request for Certification Application. Renewing NPA applicants: The NPA Certification Application will automatically be added to the CAIS profile of all renewing NPA applicants on August 1. This ensures that renewing NPA 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 NPA certification application cannot be accepted. |
5 |
Upon entering the CAIS online system, the applicant should thoroughly review the NPA Certification Application Instructions, prior to completing the NPA Certification Application. These instructions are located in the CAIS online system in the ‘Application Instructions’ section of the NPA Certification Application. |
6 |
Once the NPA Certification Application is complete, the applicant must notify the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) in which the NPA is located that the NPA Certification Application is available for SELPA review. Once the SELPA is notified and has an opportunity to review the NPA Certification Application, the applicant will submit the NPA Certification Application to the CDE by selecting the ‘Submit to State’ button in the CAIS online system. Please note: If the SELPA is unresponsive, the applicant should submit the NPA Certification Application through the CAIS online system. |
7 |
Upon receipt of the NPA Certification Application, the CDE will review and provide feedback in the CAIS online system. Attachment of additional documentation to the CAIS online system may be required. |
8 |
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 to the CAIS online system. |
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.
Due dates for NPA Certification Applications:
- New NPA applicants may submit the completed NPA Certification Application throughout the year unless the applicant falls under the requirements of EC Section 56366.1(k).
- Renewing NPA applicants must submit the completed NPA Certification Application by no later than October 31, 2012.
Failure to submit a completed NPA Certification Application within the appropriate time-frame will result in the denial of the application.
No refunds will be provided, pursuant to EC Section 56366.1(m).