NPS/A Certification Applications
Process for submitting Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School/Agency Certification Applications.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 3051, which contains the qualification standards required for a Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School (NPS) or Nonpublic, Nonsectarian Agency (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 and fee no later than October 31.
No refunds will be provided, pursuant to EC Section 56366.1(m).
To view information for the county in which you are located, select the appropriate link below:
To begin the new or renewal application process, select the appropriate link below:
- NPS - New Certification Application
- NPS - Renewal Certification Application
- NPA - New Certification Application
- NPA - Renewal Certification Application
Regional Map:
NPS - Consultant Contact Information:
Questions regarding NPSs may be directed to the Focused Monitoring & Technical Assistance VI Unit contacts list below.
| Region | Counties | Consultant(s) | Telephone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | Nonpublic Schools | FMTA VI Unit | NPSA@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-0141 |
| Various | Complaints and Investigations | John Liddell | JLiddell@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-4221 |
| Other | Out-of-State (NM, OR, UT) | Harry Canfield | HCanfield@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3546 |
| Other | Out-of-State (All Other States) | Marla Stock | MStock@cde.ca.gov | 916-324-4532 |
| Various | Beach Cities Sites |
Harry Canfield |
HCanfield@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3546 |
| Various | Large Multi-Sites (Sierra, Spectrum, Point Quest) | Matthew Hill |
MHill@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-5577 |
| Various | Seneca Family of Agencies Sites | Steve Perez |
StPerez@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0581 |
| Various | The Help Group Sites | Michele Donahue |
MDonahue@cde.ca.go | 916-319-0769 |
1 |
Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma | Linda Ramos | LRamos@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3656 |
2 |
Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity | Linda Ramos | LRamos@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3656 |
3 |
Alpine, Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba | Linda Ramos | LRamos@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3656 |
4 |
Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano | Steve Perez | StPerez@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0581 |
5 |
Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz | Christine Krause | CKrause@cde.ca.gov | 916-324-4536 |
6 |
Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne | Steve Perez | StPerez@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0581 |
7 |
Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare | Christine Krause | CKrause@cde.ca.gov | 916-324-4536 |
8 |
Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura | Christine Krause | CKrause@cde.ca.gov | 916-324-4536 |
| 9 | Orange | Linda Ramos | LRamos@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3656 |
| 9 | Orange | Michele Donahue | MDonahue@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0769 |
| 9 | Imperial, San Diego | Theresa Costa Johansen | MDonahue@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0769 |
10 |
Inyo, Mono, Riverside, San Bernardino | Christine Krause | CKrause@cde.ca.gov | 916-324-4536 |
11 |
Los Angeles | Michele Donahue | MDonahue@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0769 |
NPA - Analyst Contact Information:
Questions regarding NPAs may be directed to the Special Education Division, Nonpublic Agencies Unit contacts list below
| Region | Counties | Analyst(s) | Telephone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | Nonpublic Agencies | FMTA VI Unit | NPSA@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-0141 |
| Various | Complaints and Investigations | Jennifer Anderson | JAnderson@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3549 |
| Other | Out-of-State | Allison Fernandez | AFernandez@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-7313 |
| Various | LA County Multi-sites | Kathy Ward | KWard@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3718 |
| Various | All Other Multi-Sites | Lisa Lui |
LLui@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3691 |
1 |
Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma | Brian Maxwell | BMaxwell@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-2994 |
2 |
Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity | Jennifer Anderson | JAnderson@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3549 |
3 |
Alpine, Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba | Jennifer Anderson | JAnderson@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3549 |
4 |
Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo | Allison Fernandez | AFernandez@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-7313 |
| 4 | Alameda, Solano | Kathy Ward | KWard@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3718 |
5 |
Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz | Jennifer Anderson | JAnderson@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3549 |
6 |
Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne | Jennifer Anderson | JAnderson@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3549 |
7 |
Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare | Jennifer Anderson | JAnderson@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3549 |
8 |
Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura | Kathy Ward | KWard@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3718 |
| 9 | Imperial, Orange, San Diego | Allison Fernandez | AFernandez@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-7313 |
10 |
Inyo, Mono, Riverside, San Bernardino | Jennifer Anderson | JAnderson@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3549 |
11 |
Los Angeles (Letters A-K) |
Kristy Bickell | KBickell@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-4223 |
| 11 | Los Angeles (Letters L-Z) | Kathy Ward | KWard@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3718 |
Instructions for New Certification as a Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School
To complete the certification application as a new Nonpublic, Nonsectarian School (NPS), NPS applicants must follow the steps below:
| Step | Certification Processes for NPS |
|---|---|
1 |
Review the General Certification Information for detailed information regarding the NPS Certification requirements. |
2 |
Email the FMTA VI Unit at NPSA@cde.ca.gov or call 916-327-0141 to obtain an Intent to Apply for NPS Certification form and receive further instructions. |
Completion of the NPS Certification Application 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 3051 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), NPS applicants must follow the steps below:
| Step | Certification Processes for NPS |
|---|---|
1 |
Review the General Certification Information for detailed information regarding the NPS certification requirements. |
2 |
The Certification Application will be sent by email to all renewing NPSs by August 1 of each year. |
3 |
Email the FMTA VI Unit at NPSA@cde.ca.gov or call 916-327-0141 if you have not received your Certification Application by August 1. |
Completion of the NPS Certification Application 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 3051 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), NPA applicants must follow the steps below:
| Step | Certification Processes for NPA |
|---|---|
1 |
Review the General Certification Information for detailed information regarding the NPA Certification requirements. |
2 |
If the applicant is intending to become a certified NPA to enter into a master contract with a local educational agency (LEA) or special education local plan area (SELPA) to provide related services pursuant to an individualized education program and currently employ staff that are licensed or credentialed to provide those services, an applicant may be eligible for certification. Related services that may be authorized by the NPA certification are defined by the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Sections 3051.1 through 3051.24
Authorized services do not include assessments, independent educational evaluations (IEEs), or “child find” services. |
3 |
Please email the Nonpublic Agencies Unit at NPSA@cde.ca.gov or call 916-327-0141 to receive an Intent to Apply for NPA Certification form. |
4 |
Mail the completed Intent to Apply form along with your payment to: California Department of Education |
5 |
The applicant will receive an email from the NPA Unit with the NPA Certification Application and Instructions. Please review the instruction manual prior to beginning the application. |
6 |
Contact the Department of Justice (DOJ) to start the process of (1) becoming an authorized agency as an “Other Applicant Agency” and (2) obtaining an approved Custodian of Records (COR). This requirement involves an additional application process that is separate from the NPA certification process and is administrated by a separate government entity. Information related to this process can be found at DOJ Applicant Agencies
A copy of the COR Approval Letter must be included in the completed NPA application. Do not submit your application until this requirement has been met. |
7 |
Once the application is completed (including COR letter) the application must be submitted to the SELPA of location. The SELPA has 60 days to review the application and complete the SELPA Notification form. If the SELPA does not respond, the applicant may submit the completed application, including a copy of the unsigned form and evidence that the SELPA has had 60 days to respond. Do not submit your application until this requirement has been met. |
8 |
When all the forms have been completed mail your NPA application to: California Department of Education |
9 |
Once the application has been received, a confirmation email will be sent and the application will be routed to the assigned staff member. If you have not received a confirmation email after two weeks of submission, please contact the NPA Unit by email at NPSA@cde.ca.gov or by phone at 916-327-0141. |
10 |
The assigned NPA Unit staff will review the NPA Certification Application and provide feedback via e-mail. Additional documentation may be required. Please note that the California Department of Education has up to 120 days from submission to approve or deny your application. |
Completion of the NPA Certification Application 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 3051 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), NPA applicants must follow the steps below:
| Step | Certification Processes for NPA |
|---|---|
1 |
Review the General Certification Information for detailed information regarding the NPA certification requirements. |
2 |
The NPA Certification Application and Instructions will be e-mailed to 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. |
3 |
Once the application is completed the application must be submitted to the SELPA of location. The SELPA has 30 days to review the application and complete the SELPA Notification form. If the SELPA does not respond, the applicant may submit the completed application, including a copy of the unsigned form and evidence that the SELPA has had 30 days to respond.Do not submit your application until this requirement has been met |
4 |
Mail the completed NPA Application packet along with your payment to: California Department of Education Your application will not be accepted without a payment and your payment will not be accepted without an application. |
5 |
The applicant will receive a confirmation email from the NPA Unit once the NPA application and payment have been received. If you have not received a confirmation email after two weeks of submission, please email the NPA Unit at NPSA@cde.ca.gov or call 916-327-0141. |
6 |
The assigned CDE staff will review the NPA application and provide feedback via e-mail. Additional documentation may be required. |
7 |
Once the NPA application is complete and meets all the requirements, the CDE will issue an NPA certification. |
Completion of the NPA Certification Application 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 3051 be reviewed for qualification standards required for a NPA to provide services to students with exceptional needs.
