Resetting Account Passwords


There are different ways to reset passwords depending on the user scenarios. In most cases, users can now reset their own account passwords. Below are some security rules users should be aware of.

  1. A special time-limited (expires after 24 hours) user link will be emailed to the account holder associated with Account ID.

  2. Five consecutive failed login attempts will result in account being locked for 30 minutes. Users can either wait for 30 mins to use reset token or click on forgot password link again to request for a new password reset token.

  3. The account password requirements are as follows:

    • Be at least eight characters in length
    • Not used any of the previous 10 passwords

    • Not be the same as the logon or user name

    • Contain characters from three of the following four categories:

    • At least one uppercase letter (A though Z)

    • At least one lowercase letter (a through z)
    • At least one number (0 through 9)
    • At least one special character (!, @, #, $, ^, &, *, -, =, _, +, ?)

Step 1. Click on Forgot Your Password link.

image of Step 1 Click on Forgot Your Password link


Step 2. Enter the email address used for the account. Then click on Submit.

IMAGE of step 2 Enter the email address used for the account


Step 3. A message will be generated and sent to the email address. It will include the temporary password link that the user has to click on to bring up the new password creation modal. It also includes a reminder that the password token will expire in 24 hours.

IMAGE of email notification


Step 4. The user will be prompted to enter the username as well as type the new password twice. Clicking on reset will activate the change.

IMAGE of reset password modal in CALPADS.

1 - Email

Created by the CDE or LEA Admin. Received via email to the user.

2 - Password

Must meet the following requirements:

  • be at least eight characters in length
  • not any of the previous 10 passwords used

  • note be the same as the logon and username -contain characters from three of the following four categories:

    • at least one uppercase letter (A though Z),
    • at least one lowercase letter (a through z),
    • at least one number (0 through 9)
    • at least one special character (!,@,#,$,^,&,,-,=._,+,?)*
3 - Confirm Password

Must meet password security requirements and must match "New Password"


Step 5. The user will be redirected to the reset password confirmation page to confirm the changes made. It also provides a link to the CALPADS log in page.

IMAGE of reset password confirmation


Step 6. The user logs in to CALPADS using the username/email address and new password credential.


Reset through User Menu

Step 1. Click on drop-down arrow beside email account under the User Menu section. Click on Change Password icon.

IMAGE of change password option under user menu section

Step 2. Enter Current password as well as the new password. Then click on Save.

IMAGE of change password modal


Reset through User List (Used by LEA Admin)

If for some reason a user is unable to reset his password, the LEA Administrator can log in and reset the password.


Step 1. Search for username/email under user user list tab in user management page.

IMAGE showing how to search username under user management section


Step 2. Click on Reset Password

IMAGE of "reset password" button location


Step 3. A message will be generated and sent to the email address. It will include the temporary password link that the user has to click on to bring up the new password creation modal. It also includes a reminder that the password token will expire in 24 hours.

IMAGE of sample email generated notification


Step 4. The user will be prompted to enter the username as well as type the new password twice. Clicking on reset will activate the change.

IMAGE of reset password modal

1 - Email

Created by the CDE or LEA Admin. Received via email to the user.

2 - Password

Must meet the following requirements:

  • be at least eight characters in length
  • not any of the previous 10 passwords used

  • note be the same as the logon and username -contain characters from three of the following four categories:

    • at least one uppercase letter (A though Z),
    • at least one lowercase letter (a through z),
    • at least one number (0 through 9)
    • at least one special character (!,@,#,$,^,&,,-,=._,+,?)*

3 - Confirm Password

Must meet password security requirements and must match "New Password"


Step 5. The user will be redirected to the reset password confirmation page to confirm the changes made. It also provides a link to the CALPADS log in page.

IMAGE of reset notification pop up.


Step 6. The user logs in to CALPADS using the username/email address and new password credential.