Teacher effectiveness is known to be a critical factor in student learning and success. California has made some notable efforts to strengthen teaching, but the most coherent state-level initiatives have been limited to the earliest stages of teachers' careers. After the credentialing and induction phase, state policy does virtually nothing to ensure teaching quality or foster continual improvement. This report argues the state should play a stronger role in strengthening teaching quality beyond these early phases. One underutilized policy lever for doing so is the renewal of the Clear teaching credential. Currently, teachers renew their credentials every five years by paying a fee to the state--nothing more. This is a missed opportunity for the state both in terms of accountability "and" improvement. By implementing a new process--local review--at the point of renewal, the state could ensure that teachers are demonstrating acceptable levels of performance and professional growth, while providing districts and teachers a structure for improving instructional practice. In the new process for credential renewal proposed here, local panels would review teacher professional portfolios and use the results of these reviews as the basis for recommending renewal of teacher Clear credentials every five years. Reforming the credential renewal process as suggested in this paper would strengthen the state role in ensuring teaching quality while maintaining local authority and influence over the process. Appended are: (1) Frequently Asked Questions; and (2) Estimated Recurring Costs. (Contains 17 notes.) [For "Meaningful Credential Renewal: A Policy Proposal to Strengthen Teaching Quality in California. Executive Summary," see ED540789.]