How to become a Studio Teacher

The studio teacher is a teacher that makes sure a child's educational requirements are met while they are working in the entertainment industry. They are also responsible to ensure a child’s basic safety and well being.

If you think you would like to become a studio teacher, here is what you will need to do.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. The rules vary from state to state, and many states do not require teachers for children working on a production, but California has one of the more stringent set of child labor laws in the U.S. requiring child actors to have a studio teacher present at all times. The California Code of Regulations states a studio teacher needs two types of teaching credentials from the State of California, a multiple subject
   elementary credential and a high school single subject credential in an academic subject, not Art or P.E.

2. Each state has a different requirement to become a studio teacher. Use the computer to search for Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for your state. Make sure the website address ends with .gov to ensure you are on a government website. Most states require dual certification.

3. Take the studio teacher exam. In California the teacher exam is a test on the child labor laws of California State. You must call or write to request a Studio Teacher Application Packet from the Department of Industrial Relations Division of Labor Standards Enforcement Licensing & Registration Unit
   
   The packet you receive will include a studio teacher application and a study guide for California child labor laws to help you prepare for the test.
   
   When you have your certifications in hand and you feel you are ready to take the exam, you may proceed to Step 3.

4. In order to take the Studio Teacher exam, you must make an appointment with the district office nearest you or, if you are from out of state, the one you choose. A list of those offices will be included in your Studio Teacher Application Packet.
   
   In order to make an appointment, your certification process must be complete. When you report to the exam, you must bring your completed Studio Teacher Application as well as copies of both your California credentials. Upon completion of the exam, the office at which you took the exam will send your results to the Department of Industrial Relations in San Francisco.

5. The San Francisco office may notify you of your Studio Teacher test results, but then again they may not. So it is up to you to call them. Once you have passed your test, you may sign up for the first available Studio Teacher Workshop. This workshop is given only twice a year: once in the fall, and once in the spring. It is not planned much in advance, and the dates are based on the number of applications collected at any given time. So, once again, do not leave it up to them to contact you. You must continue to contact them regarding the workshop dates to make sure you get signed up.

6. Go to the workshop and take LOTS of notes.

7. That's it. Wait for your Studio Teacher Certificate to arrive in the mail.
   
   This may take from four to eight weeks.

8. These guidelines are based in California and as I mentioned before if you are in another state the requirements may be different, but you can this article as a reference on what you need to do.

Tips & Warnings

• You work as an independent subcontractor so you must find your own work or work with a manager.
• Union work is what you are shooting for and you need to be on a sub list to work with the big film companies like Warner's, etc.