California requirements for becoming a teacher have changed The state is making it easier to become a teacher. Students and those with certain degrees can now skip some of the requirements. The change comes as California's persistent teacher shortage has been compounded by the pandemic. Posted at 10:23 PM, Jul 28, 2021 and last updated 2021-07-29 01:23:06-04 BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) â The state is making it easier to become a teacher. Students and those with certain degrees can now skip some of the requirements. The change comes as California's persistent teacher shortage has been compounded by the pandemic. âEssentially what these changes did was allow multiple additional options for future teachers to meet these requirements for basic skills.â said, Mary Vixie Sandy, executive director of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.