LawWiki
HomeCodesSearchGlossaryAPIAbout
LawWiki

Plain English summaries of California law with zero-hallucination AI. Every summary is verified against official source text.

Product

  • Search
  • Codes
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

© 2026 LawWiki. All rights reserved.

HomeEducation CodeCh. 2Art. 9§ 44360 Credential Fraud Prohibition

§ 44360 Credential Fraud Prohibition

Education Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 44360 Credential Fraud Prohibition

Key Takeaways

  • •It's illegal to fake or change school papers (like diplomas or certificates) to get a job in public schools.
  • •You can't lie about having a degree or title to work in public schools.
  • •Selling or buying fake school papers or licenses for teaching jobs is against the law.
  • •You can't use a fake name to work in a public school unless you legally changed your name (like after marriage).

Example

Someone buys a fake teaching diploma online and uses it to get a job at a public school.

This is illegal because they are using a fake document to pretend they have a real teaching degree.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 44360 Credential Fraud Prohibition

Any person is guilty of a misdemeanor who, individually or in a representative or any other capacity, does any of the following: (a) Alters with fraudulent intent, or uses or attempts to use any altered diploma, certificate, transcript, affidavit, or any other evidence to be used in obtaining a credential or certificate authorizing service in the public schools. (b) Assumes any degree or title not conferred upon him or her in the manner and by the authority recognized in this chapter with intent to represent falsely that he or she has received that degree or title, or who willfully makes any false statement on any application for examination, license, credential, or certificate under this chapter. (c) Sells, barters, or offers to sell or barter, or purchase or procure directly or indirectly with the intent that it be fraudulently used, any license, credential, or permit authorizing service in the public schools, or any diploma, certificate, affidavit, transcript, or any other evidence required for use in connection with any application for, or the granting of any license, credential, or certificate authorizing service in, the public schools. (d) Performs or attempts to perform any teaching or other certified service in any public school under a false or assumed name, or under any name other than that inscribed by the commission on any license, credential, or certificate authorizing him or her to perform those services. This provision shall not apply to persons who, because of marriage or other good faith reasons, have given notice of a name change. (e) Refuses or willfully fails to surrender upon demand of the commission, his or her license, credential, or certificate authorizing teaching or service in the public schools upon revocation, suspension, or voiding of those documents under this chapter. (Added by Stats. 1986, Ch. 632, Sec. 1.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

commissionschoolmarriagefraudoffereducationoffenselicense

Related Statutes

  • § 44275.4 International Teacher Recruitment
  • § 44415.5 Teacher Residency Mentor Requirements
  • § 48225.5 Student Work Permit Absences
  • § 51226.7 Ethnic Studies Curriculum Model
  • § 69514.5 Community College Financial Aid Training

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 44360.
View Official Source