Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-2-.17

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 11, August 30, 2024

Section 290-3-2-.17 - Degree Equivalent Health Science Certificate Approach

(1)Overview. An individual may seek a Degree Equivalent Health Science Certificate for Grades 6-12 in health science. These certificates are Career and Technical Certificates.

(2)Bachelor's Equivalent Health Science 1 Certificate.

(a)Application.

1. The applicant is required to submit to the superintendent the current application for this approach and documentation of having met all requirements as prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.17 and on the application.

2. The superintendent who wishes to employ the applicant or wishes for the applicant, who is an employee of a business or governmental agency with which a partnership has been established, to teach health science is required to submit to the Educator Certification Section:

(i) A recommendation requesting issuance of the Bachelor's Equivalent Health Science 1 Certificate.

(ii) The applicant's current application and documentation of having met all requirements.

(b)Requirements.

1. Successful completion of the Alabama Special Requirements in Rule 290-3-2-.02(4).

2. Verification of a currently valid Department-approved ENTRY or MASTER level occupational proficiency assessment for health science which shall include an active Alabama license in a registered nursing, paramedical, or approved allied health specialty. The active license must have been attained prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section. Information on the approved occupational proficiency assessments can be obtained from the Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department.

3. Verification of current passing scores for the basic skills assessments. This requirement does not apply to an applicant who holds at least a bachelor's degree from a senior institution that was regionally accredited at the time the degree was earned or to an applicant holding a valid Specialty Area Certificate, a valid Degree Equivalent Certificate, a valid Professional Educator Certificate, or a valid Professional Leadership Certificate. This requirement may be met through one (1) of the following three (3) options:

(i) Passing scores on the CTE Basic Skills Assessment, approved by the State Board of Education on June 13, 2019, administered through ACT WorkKeys. The required assessments are Applied Mathematics, Business Writing, and Workplace Documents. Passing scores must be attained prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section. Passing scores attained prior to July 1, 2019, will not be accepted.

(ii) Passing scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) basic skills assessments, the current basic skills assessment of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP). The required assessments are Mathematics, Reading, and Writing. Passing scores must have been attained prior to July 1, 2019.

(iii) Passing scores on the modified ACT WorkKeys basic skills assessments, the previous basic skills assessment of the AECAP. The required assessments are Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Writing. Passing scores must have been attained prior to September 1, 2017. This option is only available for applications received prior to September 1, 2022.

4. Education and work experience through one of the following two options:

(i)Option 1.

(I) Verification on an official transcript(s) that an associate's degree, in a healthcare or related area, was earned from a regionally accredited postsecondary institution prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section. The Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department must approve the degree.

(II) Verification of having attained, within the seven years immediately prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section, a minimum of 5,400 clock hours (three years) of acceptable part-time or full-time work experience as prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.17(7).

(ii)Option 2.

(I) Verification on an official transcript(s) that a bachelor's or higher degree, with a major in a healthcare or related area, was earned from a regionally accredited senior institution prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section. The Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department must approve the degree.

(II) Verification of having attained, within the five years immediately prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section, a minimum of 3,600 clock hours (two years) of acceptable part-time or full-time work experience as prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.17(7).

(3)Bachelor's Equivalent Health Science 2 Certificate.

(a)Application. The applicant is required to submit to the Educator Certification Section the current application for this approach and documentation of having met all requirements as prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.17 and on the application.

(b)Requirements. All requirements must be successfully completed prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section.

1. Successful completion of the Alabama Special Requirements in Rule 290-3-2-.02(4).

2. A valid, or completion of all requirements in (2) above for issuance of a valid, Bachelor's Equivalent Health Science 1 Certificate.

3. Verification of a currently valid Department-approved ENTRY or MASTER level occupational proficiency assessment for health science which shall include an active Alabama license in a registered nursing, paramedical, or approved allied health specialty. Information on the approved occupational proficiency assessments can be obtained from the Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department.

4. Verification, if the applicant does not hold a valid Professional Educator Certificate in a career and technical education teaching field, of successful completion of the Career and Technical Education Teacher Certification Program (CTE TCP) Level 1 by submission of one of the following:

(i) Department-approved professional development training history.

(ii) Certificate of completion.

(4)Master's Equivalent Health Science 3 Certificate.

(b)Requirements. All requirements must be successfully completed prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section.

1. Successful completion of the Alabama Special Requirements in Rule 290-3-2-.02(4).

2. A valid, or completion of all requirements in (3) above for issuance of a valid, Bachelor's Equivalent Health Science 2 Certificate.

3. Verification of a currently valid Department-approved MASTER level occupational proficiency assessment for health science which shall include an active Alabama license in a registered nursing, paramedical, or approved allied health specialty. Information on the MASTER level approved occupational proficiency assessments can be obtained from the Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department.

4. Completion of one of the following two options:

(i)Option 1. Verification on an official transcript(s) of earned credit, with a grade of "C" or above, for the two required courses and two of the elective courses listed below. These courses must be completed at an Alabama institution with a State-approved program in a career and technical education teaching field and within the five years (60 months) immediately prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section.

Courses	Courses
Classroom Management and CTE Lab*	Industrial Health and Shop Safety**
Meeting the Needs of Exceptional CTE Students*	Learning Resources and Technology in CTE**
Career and Technical Student Youth Organizations**	Teaching CTE**
Course Development and Evaluation in CTE**	Testing/Evaluation in CTE**
History and Principles of CTE**

*Required courses

**Elective courses from which two must be selected

(ii)Option 2.

(I) Verification of having attained a minimum of 12,600 clock hours (seven years) of acceptable part-time or full-time work experience as prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.17(7).

(II) Verification of successful completion of the Career and Technical Education Teacher Certification Program (CTE TCP) Level 2 by submission of one of the following:

I. Department-approved professional development training history.

II. Certificate of completion

(5)Sixth-Year Equivalent Health Science 4 Certificate.

(b)Requirements. All requirements must be successfully completed prior to the date the application is received in the Educator Certification Section.

1. Successful completion of the Alabama Special Requirements in Rule 290-3-2-.02(4).

2. A valid, or completion of all requirements in (4) above for issuance of a valid, Master's Equivalent Health Science 3 Career and Technical Certificate.

4. Verification on an official transcript(s) of at least an earned master's degree in a healthcare or related area from a regionally accredited senior institution. The Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department must approve the degree.

(6)Professional Educator Certification. Individuals holding at least a valid Master's Equivalent Health Science 3 Certificate may be eligible for a Professional Educator Certificate. Additional information may be found in Rule 290-3-2-.19.

(7)Acceptable Work Experience.

(a) Acceptable part-time or full-time work experience must have been attained through one or more of the following:

1.Employee in the healthcare industry in a compensated position as a healthcare practitioner. The work experience must be verified with submission of:

(i) Supplement CTV; and

(ii) A notarized cover letter verifying the applicant's prior work experience. The cover letter must be on the employer's business/company stationery and must include at least a description of the nature of the business/company, a brief description of the scope and quality of the applicant's work history, and the original signature of the employer or owner of the business/company.

2.Self-employment in the healthcare industry as a healthcare practitioner. The self-employment experience must be verified with submission of:

(i) Supplement CTV; and

(ii) A notarized cover letter on company stationery, a copy of each business license held during the verification period, and notarized letters from three individuals and/or companies with which business or work transactions occurred during the verification period.

3.Teaching experience at the postsecondary level in health science or a related area. The postsecondary institution must have been regionally accredited at the time the experience was earned. The teaching experience must be verified on Supplement EXP.

(b) The following cannot be used as acceptable part-time or full-time work experience:

1. Teaching experience in grades P-12 while holding any valid Alabama certificate.

2. Teaching experience in grades P-12 while not holding any valid Alabama certificate.

(8)Type Career and Technical Certificates.

(a) Upon application to the Educator Certification Section an applicant holding a valid Type II or III Career and Technical Certificate in health science may convert the Type Certificate to a Bachelor's Equivalent Health Science 2 Certificate.

(b) A valid Type II or III Career and Technical Certificate in health science may be used as a prerequisite for a Master's Equivalent Health Science 3 Certificate.

(c) The Type II and III Career and Technical Certificates in health science are valid for five years. Prior to May 1, 2016, the certificates could be continued, but could not be reinstated. Effective May 1, 2016, the certificates may be continued or reinstated as a Bachelor's Equivalent Health Science 2 Certificate. Renewal requirements are prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.29.

(d) Type I Career and Technical Certificates in health science were issued on the basis of the Rules in effect prior to July 1, 1997. Prior to January 1, 2008, at the request of the certificate holder, a valid Type I Career and Technical Certificate in health science was converted to the appropriate Level 4 or 5 Career and Technical Certificate in health science as determined by the Office of Career and Technical Education of the Department. Type I Career and Technical Certificates in health science cannot be continued or reinstated. An individual holding an expired Type I Career and Technical Certificate in health science who is seeking a current Career and Technical Certificate in health science must meet requirements for the Bachelor's Equivalent Health Science 1 Certificate as a prerequisite to Degree Equivalent Health Science 2, 3, or 4 Certificates.

(9)Level Career and Technical Certificates.

(a) Upon application to the Educator Certification Section an applicant holding a valid Level 4 or 5 Career and Technical Certificate in health science may convert the Level 4 or 5 Certificate to the appropriate Degree Equivalent Health Science 2, 3, or 4 Certificate.

(b) A Level 4 or 5 Career and Technical Certificate in health science will be continued or reinstated as the appropriate Degree Equivalent Health Science 2, 3, or 4 Certificate. Renewal requirements are prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.29.

(c) Level 1, 2, and 3 Career and Technical Certificates in health science were nonrenewable certificates and cannot be continued or reinstated. An applicant holding an expired Level 1, 2, or 3 Career and Technical Certificates in health science who is seeking a current Career and Technical Certificate in health science must meet requirements for the Bachelor's Equivalent Health Science 1 Certificate as a prerequisite to Degree Equivalent Health Science 2, 3, or 4 Certificates.

(10)Specialty Area Career and Technical Certificates.

(a) Upon application to the Educator Certification Section an applicant holding a valid Specialty Area 2, 3, 4, or 5 Career and Technical Certificate in health science may convert the Specialty Area Certificate to the appropriate Degree Equivalent Health Science 2, 3, or 4 Certificate.

(b) A Specialty Area 2, 3, 4, or 5 Career and Technical Certificate in health science may be continued or reinstated as the appropriate Degree Equivalent Health Science 2, 3, or 4 Certificate. Renewal requirements are prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.29.

(c) The Specialty Area 2 Career and Technical Certificate in health science, valid for five years and issued with a valid period beginning prior to July 1, 2012, was nonrenewable. Effective August 1, 2012, the Specialty Area 2 Career and Technical Certificate in health science may be continued or reinstated.

(d) The Specialty Area 1 Career and Technical Certificate in health science was a nonrenewable certificate and cannot be continued or reinstated. An applicant holding an expired Specialty Area 1 Career and Technical Certificate in health science who is seeking a current Career and Technical Certificate in health science must meet requirements for the Bachelor's Equivalent Health Science 1 Certificate as a prerequisite to Degree Equivalent Health Science 2, 3, or 4 Certificates.

(11)Name of Certificate, Degree Equivalency, Valid Period, and Renewability.

Name of Certificate	Degree Equivalency	Valid Period	Renewable
Bachelor's Equivalent Health Science 1	Bachelor' s	Minimum of 2 years^a	No
Bachelor's Equivalent Health Science 2	Bachelor' s	Minimum of 5 years^c	Yes
Master's Equivalent Health Science 3	Master's	Minimum of 5 years^c	Yes
Sixth-Year Equivalent Health Science 4	Sixth-year	Minimum of 5 years^c	Yes
Specialty Area 1	Bachelor's	Minimum of 2 years^a	No
Specialty Area 2	Bachelor's	Minimum of 5 years^{b, c}	Yes
Specialty Area 3	Master's	Minimum of 5 years^c	Yes
Specialty Area 4	Master's	Minimum of 5 years^c	Yes
Specialty Area 5	Sixth-year	Minimum of 5 years^c	Yes
Level 1 ^d	Bachelor's	3 years	No
Level 2 ^d	Bachelor's	3 years	No
Level 3 ^d	Master's	3 years	No
Level 4 ^d	Master's	5 years	Yes
Level 5 ^d	Sixth-year	5 years	Yes
Type I ^e	Master's	10 years	No
Type II ^{c, f}	Bachelor's	Minimum of 5 years	Yes
Type III ^{c, f}	Bachelor's	Minimum of 5 years	Yes

^aBachelor's Equivalent Health Science 1 Certificates and Specialty Area 1 Certificates are valid from the date of issuance through the remainder of the same scholastic year, and thereafter, for the next two consecutive scholastic years.

^bSpecialty Area 2 Certificates issued prior to August 1, 2012, were valid for five years and nonrenewable. Effective August 1, 2012, the Specialty Area 2 Certificate may be continued or reinstated.

^cThese Career and Technical Certificates are valid from the date of issuance through the remainder of the same scholastic year, and thereafter, for the next five consecutive scholastic years.

^dThe Level Certificates were initially issued on the basis of Rules in effect prior to September 2008. The Level 4 and 5 certificates were converted to the appropriate Specialty Area Certificate. Expired Level 4 and 5 Certificates may be reinstated as the appropriate Degree Equivalent Health Science 2, 3, or 4 Certificate.

^eType I Certificates were initially issued on the basis of Rules in effect prior to July 1, 1997. These certificates were converted to the appropriate Level Certificate. As prescribed in Rule 290-3-2-.17(8)(d), expired Type I Certificates cannot be reinstated.

^fType II and III Certificates were initially issued on the basis of Rules in effect prior to July 1, 1997. These certificates may be continued or reinstated as a Bachelor's Equivalent Health Science 2 Certificate.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-2-.17

New Rule: Filed August 4, 2008; effective September 8, 2008. Repealed and New Rule: Filed December 10, 2010; effective January 14, 2011. Repealed and New Rule: Filed January 17, 2014; effective February 21, 2014.

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIV, Issue No. 06, March 31, 2016, eff. 4/24/2016.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVIII, Issue No. 11, August 31, 2020, eff. 10/15/2020.

Rule was previously .05 and renumber to .17 as per certification file December 10, 2010.

Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, Ala. Const. Amend. 284, §§ 16-3-11, 16-23-1, 16-23-2.