NPS/A Certification Applications
Process for submitting Nonpublic 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 School (NPS) or Nonpublic 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 Special Education Division, Nonpublic Schools Unit contacts list below.
| Region | Counties | Consultant(s) | Telephone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | Nonpublic Schools | Nonpublic Schools Unit | NPS@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-0141 |
| Various | Complaints and Investigations | John Liddell | NPSAcomplaints@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-4221 |
| Various | Complaints and Investigations | Matthew Hill | NPSAcomplaints@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-5577 |
| 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 | LA County Multi-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 |
916-319-0769 |
|
| Various | The Help Group Sites | Kimberly Doyle | KDoyle@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3658 |
1 |
Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma | John Liddell | JLiddell@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-4221 |
2 |
Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity | Nonpublic Schools Unit | NPS@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-0141 |
3 |
Alpine, Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba | John Liddell | JLiddell@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-4221 |
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 | Melissa Elvidge | MElvidge@cde.ca.gov | 916-323-2590 |
6 |
Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne | Steve Perez | StPerez@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0581 |
7 |
Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare | Melissa Elvidge | MElvidge@cde.ca.gov | 916-323-2590 |
8 |
Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura | Melissa Elvidge | MElvidge@cde.ca.gov | 916-323-2590 |
| 9 | Imperial, Orange, San Diego | Kimberly Doyle | KDoyle@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3658 |
| 9 | Imperial, Orange, San Diego | Melissa Elvidge | MElvidge@cde.ca.gov | 916-323-2590 |
10 |
Inyo, Mono, Riverside, San Bernardino | Melissa Elvidge | MElvidge@cde.ca.gov | 916-323-2590 |
11 |
Los Angeles | Kimberly Doyle | KDoyle@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-3658 |
| 11 | Los Angeles | Melissa Elvidge | MElvidge@cde.ca.gov | 916-323-2590 |
| 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 | Nonpublic Agencies Unit | NPA@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-0141 |
Instructions for New Certification as a Nonpublic School
To complete the certification application as a new Nonpublic 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 Nonpublic Schools Unit at NPS@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 School
To complete the certification application as a renewing Nonpublic 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 Nonpublic Schools Unit at NPS@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 Agency
To complete the certification application as a new Nonpublic 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 NPA@cde.ca.gov or call 916-327-0141 to request the Intent to Apply for Nonpublic Certification form. |
4
|
Once you have completed the Intent to Apply for Nonpublic Certification form, mail the form and application fees to the following address: California Department of Education |
5 |
Once the California Department of Education (CDE) receives the Intent to Apply for Nonpublic Certification form and fees, the NPA Unit will email the Certification Application for Nonpublic Agency and Instructions for completing the California Certification Application for Nonpublic Agency. In addition, a separate email from noreply@box.com will be sent to the email on your Intent to Apply form. It is advised that you review the instructions prior to beginning the application process. An overview of the Box Electronic Submission process can be found in the Instruction Manual. |
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
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Once your application packet is completed and all supplemental documents are gathered, upload all documents to the assigned Box folder and email your assigned analyst to let them know your application is complete and all documents have been uploaded. |
9
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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 Agency
To complete the certification application as a renewing Nonpublic 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 you have completed the Intent to Renew for Nonpublic Certification form, mail the form and application fees to the following address: California Department of Education |
4 |
Once your Intent to Renew form has been received, a separate email from noreply@box.com will be sent to the email(s) listed on your Intent to Renew form. An overview of the Box Electronic Submission process can be found in the Instruction Manual. |
| 5 | 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 attach the United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery confirmation receipt that the SELPA received the application. Do not submit your application until this requirement has been met |
6 |
Once your application packet is completed and all supplemental documents are gathered, upload all documents to the assigned Box folder and email your assigned analyst to let them know your application is complete and all documents have been uploaded. |
7 |
The assigned CDE staff member will review the California Certification Application for Nonpublic Agency and provide feedback via e-mail. Additional documentation may be required. |
8 |
Once the 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.
Nonpublic Schools Unit | NPS@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-0141
Nonpublic Agencies Unit | NPA@cde.ca.gov | 916-327-0141