Idaho Admin. Code r. 08.02.02.015

Current through September 2, 2024

Section 08.02.02.015 - IDAHO EDUCATOR CREDENTIAL

All standard educator certificates are valid for five (5) years and are renewable, subject to the applicable renewal requirements set by the state board of education and any applicable conditions applied to an individual's certificate by the professional standards commission.

01.Standard Instructional Certificate. A Standard Instructional Certificate makes an individual eligible to teach all grades, subject to the grade ranges and subject areas of the valid endorsement(s) attached to the certificate. A standard instructional certificate may be issued to any person who has a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited college or university and who meets the following requirements or successfully completes an interim certificate requirements:

a.Minimum Credit Hours. Earned a minimum of twenty (20) semester credit hours in the philosophical, psychological, methodological foundations, instructional technology, and in the professional subject matter of education, which shall include demonstration of competencies as specified in the Idaho comprehensive literacy plan; and

b.Student Teaching. Complete a minimum of ten (10) undergraduate or six (6) graduate semester credit hours, of student teaching; and

c. Complete a state board approved educator preparation program and receive an institutional recommendation from the program specifying the grade ranges and subjects for which the applicant is eligible to receive an endorsement;

i. To receive endorsement in two (2) fields of teaching, preparation must consist of completion of at least thirty (30) semester credit hours in one (1) field of teaching, and completion of at least twenty (20) semester credit hours in a second field of teaching.

ii. To receive endorsement in (1) field of teaching, preparation must consist of completion of at least forty-five (45) semester credit hours in a single subject area;

d. Meet or exceed the state qualifying score on the state board approved content area and pedagogy assessments.

02.Standard Pupil Service Staff Certificate. Persons who serve as school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses are required to hold the Standard Pupil Service Staff Certificate, with the respective endorsement(s) for which they qualify. Persons who serve as a speech-language pathologist, school audiologist, occupational therapist, or physical therapist may be required, as determined by the local educational agency, to hold a Standard Pupil Service Staff Certificate with respective endorsements for which they qualify.

a. School Counselor Endorsement. To be eligible for a School Counselor endorsement, a candidate must have satisfied the following requirements.

i. Hold a master's degree and provide verification of completion of an approved program of graduate study in school counseling, including sixty (60) semester credits, from a college or university approved by the Idaho State Board of Education or the state educational agency of the state in which the program was completed. The program must include successful completion of seven hundred (700) clock hours of supervised field experience, seventy-five percent (75%) of which must be in a K-12 school setting. This K-12 experience must be in each of the following levels: elementary, middle/junior high, and high school. Previous school counseling experience may be considered to help offset the field experience clock hour requirement; and

ii. An institutional recommendation is required for a School Counselor endorsement.

b. School Counselor - Basic Endorsement.

i. Individuals serving as a school counselor pursuant to Section 33-1212, Idaho Code, shall be granted a School Counselor - Basic endorsement. The endorsement is valid for five (5) years or until such time as the holder no longer meets the eligibility requirements pursuant to Section 33-1212, Idaho Code.

ii. Individuals who received their endorsement pursuant to Section 33-1212, Idaho Code, prior to July 1, 2018, will be transitioned into the School Counselor - Basic endorsement. Renewal date will remain the same as the initial credential.

c. School Psychologist Endorsement. The renewal credit requirement may be waived if the applicant holds a current and valid National Certification for School Psychologists (NCSP) offered through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). To be eligible for a school psychologist endorsement, a candidate must complete a minimum of sixty (60) graduate semester credit hours which must be accomplished through one (1) of the following options:

i. Completion of an approved thirty (30) semester credit hour master's degree in education or psychology and completion of an approved thirty (30) semester credit hour School Psychology Specialist Degree program, and completion of a minimum of twelve hundred (1,200) clock-hour internship within a local education agency under the supervision of the training institution and direct supervision of a certificated school psychologist;

ii. Completion of an approved sixty (60) semester credit hour, master's degree program in School Psychology, and completion of a minimum of twelve hundred (1,200) clock-hour internship within a local education agency under the supervision of the training institution and direct supervision of a certificated school psychologist;

iii. Completion of an approved sixty (60) semester credit hour, School Psychology Specialist degree program which did not require a master's degree as a prerequisite, with laboratory experience in a classroom, which may include professional teaching experience, student teaching or special education practicum, and completion of a minimum twelve hundred (1,200) clock-hour internship within a local education agency under the supervision of the training institution and direct supervision of a certificated school psychologist; and

iv. Earn a current and valid National Certification for School Psychologists (NCSP) issued by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

d. Interim Certificate - School Psychologist Endorsement. This certificate will be issued to those who do not meet the educational requirements but hold a master's degree or higher in psychology and are working toward a standard pupil service staff certificate with school psychologist endorsement. This certificate will be issued for three (3) years while the applicant is meeting the educational requirements or obtaining the applicable experience leading to certification. If the educational requirements cannot be met within the three (3)-year time frame of the certificate, the employing LEA may request one (1)-time renewal of this interim certificate for the applicant.

e. School Nurse Endorsement. To be eligible for a school nurse endorsement, a candidate must complete one (1) of the following options:

i. Possess a valid professional nursing (RN) license issued by the Idaho State Board of Nursing, and a baccalaureate degree in nursing, education, or a health-related field from an accredited institution.

ii. Possess a valid professional nursing (RN) license issued by the Idaho State Board of Nursing; have two (2) years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) school nursing, community health nursing, or any other area of pediatric, adolescent, or family nursing experience.

f. Interim Certificate - School Nurse Endorsement. This certificate will be issued to those who do not meet the educational and/or experience requirements but who hold a valid professional nursing (RN) license in Idaho. This non-renewable certificate will be issued for three (3) years while the applicant is meeting the educational or experience requirements.

g. Speech-Language Pathologist Endorsement. To be eligible for a speech-language pathologist endorsement, a candidate must possess a master's degree from an accredited college or university in a speech/ language pathology program approved by the State Board of Education. The renewal credit requirement may be waived if the applicant holds a current and valid Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology offered through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and/or a current and valid speech-language pathologist license issued by the appropriate Idaho state licensing board.

h. Interim Certificate - Speech-Language Pathologist Endorsement. This certificate will be issued to those who do not meet the educational requirements but hold a baccalaureate degree in speech-language pathology and are pursuing a master's degree. This certificate will be issued for three (3) years while the applicant is meeting the educational requirements. If the educational requirements cannot be met within the three (3)-year timeframe of the certificate, the employing LEA may request one (1)-time renewal of this interim certificate for the applicant if the applicant holds a valid occupational license or is supervised by a speech-language pathologist with a standard pupil service certificate.

i. Audiology Endorsement. To be eligible for an audiology endorsement, a candidate must possess a master's degree from an accredited college or university in an audiology program approved by the State Board of Education. The renewal credit requirement may be waived if the applicant holds a current and valid Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology offered through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and/or a current and valid audiologist license issued by the appropriate Idaho state licensing board.

j. School Social Worker Endorsement. To be eligible for a school social worker endorsement, a candidate must meet the following requirements:

i. A master's degree in social work (MSW) from a postsecondary institution accredited by an organization recognized by the State Board of Education. The program must be currently approved by the state educational agency of the state in which the program was completed; and

ii. An institutional recommendation from a state board approved program; and

iii. The successful completion of a school social work practicum in a preschool through grade twelve 12 (Pre-K-12) setting. Post-LMSW extensive experience working with children and families may be substituted for the completion of a school social work practicum in a Pre-K-12 setting; and

iv. A current and valid social work license pursuant to chapter 32, title 54, Idaho Code, and the rules of the State Board of Social Work Examiners.

k. Occupational Therapist Endorsement. To be eligible for an occupational therapist endorsement, a candidate must have a current and valid occupational therapy license issued by the Occupational Therapy Licensure Board of Idaho. The candidate must maintain current and valid occupational therapy licensure for the endorsement to remain valid.

l. Physical Therapist Endorsement. to be eligible for a physical therapist endorsement a candidate must have a current and valid physical therapy license issued by the Idaho Physical Therapy Licensure Board. The candidate must maintain current and valid physical therapy licensure for the endorsement to remain valid.

03.Standard Administrator Certificate. Persons who serve as superintendent, director of special education, secondary school principal, or principal of an elementary school with eight (8) or more teachers (including the principal), or are assigned to conduct the summative evaluation of certified staff are required to hold an Administrator Certificate. The certificate may be endorsed for service as school principal, superintendent, or director of special education. Assistant superintendents are required to hold the Superintendent endorsement. Assistant principals or vice-principals are required to hold the School Principal endorsement. Directors of special education are required to hold the Director of Special Education endorsement. Possession of an Administrator Certificate does not entitle the holder to serve as a teacher at a grade level for which the educator is not qualified or certificated.

a. School Principal Endorsement. To be eligible for the School Principal endorsement, a candidate must meet the following requirements:

i. Hold a master's degree from an accredited college or university.

ii. Have four (4) years of full-time certificated experience working with students, while under contract in an accredited school setting.

iii. Complete an administrative internship in a state-approved program, or have one (1) year of experience as an administrator.

iv. Provide verification of completion of a state-approved program of at least thirty (30) semester credit hours of graduate study in school administration for the preparation of school principals at an accredited college or university. This program shall include the demonstration of proficiency in conducting instructional and pupil service staff evaluations based on the statewide framework for evaluation, and competencies in the Idaho Standards for School Principals.

v. Receive an institutional recommendation for a School Principal endorsement.

b. Superintendent Endorsement. To be eligible for the Superintendent endorsement, a candidate must meet the following requirements:

i. Hold an education specialist or doctorate degree or complete a comparable post-master's sixth year program at an accredited college or university.

ii. Have four (4) years of full-time certificated/licensed experience working with students while under contract in an accredited school setting.

iii. Complete an administrative internship in a state board approved program for the superintendent endorsement or have one (1) year of out-of-state experience as an assistant superintendent or superintendent.

iv. Provide verification of completion of an approved program of at least thirty (30) semester credit hours, of post-master's degree graduate study for the preparation of school superintendents at an accredited college or university. This program in school administration must include demonstration of proficiency in conducting instructional and pupil service staff evaluations based on the statewide framework for evaluation, and demonstration of competencies in the Idaho standards for superintendents and the Idaho Standards for School Principals.

v. Receive an institutional recommendation for a Superintendent endorsement.

c. Director of Special Education Endorsement. To be eligible for the Director of Special Education endorsement, a candidate must meet the following requirements:

i. Hold a master's degree from an accredited college or university;

ii. Have four (4) years of full-time certificated/licensed experience working with students Pre-K-12, while under contract in a school setting;

iii. Provide verification of a state board approved program of graduate study of school administration for the preparation of directors of special education at an accredited college or university. This program shall include demonstration of proficiency in conducting instructional and pupil service staff evaluations based on the statewide framework for evaluation, and demonstration of competencies in the Idaho Standards for Directors of Special Education and the Idaho Standards for School Principals. Coursework shall include knowledge and competence in understanding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, utilizing the Idaho Special Education Manual, special education funding and fiscal accountability, results-driven leadership and accountability in special education, and instructional, behavioral, and management strategies for supporting students in the least restrictive environment.

iv. Have completed an administrative internship in the area of administration of special education; and

v. An institutional recommendation is required for Director of Special Education endorsement.

04.Career Technical Certification Requirements. Teachers of career technical courses or programs in secondary schools must hold an occupational specialist certificate and an endorsement in an appropriate occupational discipline. All occupational certificates must be approved by the Division of Career Technical Education regardless of the route an individual is pursuing to receive the certificate.

a. Standard Degree Based Career Technical Certificate. Persons who hold a degree based career technical certificate are eligible to teach in a career technical area, subject to the grade range(s) and subject area(s) of the valid endorsement(s) attached to the certificate. All degree based career technical certificates require candidates to meet the Idaho Core Teaching Standards. The degree based career technical certificate is valid for five years. A degree based career technical certificate may be issued to any person who has a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and meets the following requirements:

i. Earned a minimum of twenty (20) semester credit hours in the philosophical, psychological, methodological foundations, instructional technology, and in the professional subject matter of education, which shall include demonstration of competencies as specified in the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Plan;

ii. Earned a minimum of twelve (12) semester credit hours in career technical education foundation coursework to include principles and philosophies of career technical education, evaluation and assessment in career technical education, leadership and career technical student organization leadership, career guidance and transition, occupational analysis and curriculum development, and lab safety;

iii. Accumulated one thousand (1,000) clock hours of related industry experience, or practicum as approved by the higher education institution, in the respective field of specialization;

iv. Completed a total of at least ten (10) undergraduate semester credit hours or six (6) graduate semester credit hours of student teaching:

v. Completed a state board approved educator preparation program and received an institutional recommendation specifying the grade ranges and subjects for which the person is eligible to receive an endorsement;

(1) To receive endorsement in two (2) fields of teaching, preparation must consist of at least thirty (30) semester credit hours in one (1) field of teaching and completion of at least twenty (20) semester credit hours in a second field of teaching.

(2) To receive endorsement in one (1) field of teaching, preparation must consist of completion of at least forty-five (45) semester credit hours in a single subject area.

vi. Met or exceeded the state qualifying score on the state board-approved content area and pedagogy assessments.

vii. The renewal credits required in Section 060 may be waived if the applicant holds a current, valid certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards at the time of renewal. Credits must be earned during the validity period of the certificate.

b. Career Technical Education Program Administrator Certificate. The career technical education program administrator certificate is required for an individual serving as an administrator, director, or manager of career technical education programs in Idaho public schools. Individuals must meet one (1) of the two (2) following prerequisites to qualify for the career technical education program administrator certificate. The certificate is valid for five (5) years and must meet the renewal requirements pursuant to Section 060 of these rules to renew.

i. Qualify for or hold an advanced occupational specialist certificate or hold an occupational endorsement on a degree based career technical certificate; provide evidence of a minimum of four (4) years teaching, three (3) of which must be in a career technical education discipline; hold a master's degree; and complete at least fifteen (15) semester credits of administrative course work to include required credits in. education finance, administration and supervision of personnel, and legal aspects of education. Remaining coursework may be selected from: administration and supervision of occupational programs; instructional supervision; administration internship; curriculum development; curriculum evaluation; research in curriculum; school community relations; communication; teaching the adult learner; coordination of work-based learning programs; and/or measurement and evaluation.

ii. Hold a superintendent or principal endorsement on a standard administrator certificate and provide evidence of either a minimum of four (4) years teaching, three (3) of which must be in a career technical discipline; or successful completion of a Division of Career Technical Education career technical education leadership institute; or completion of course work including credits in: principles and foundations of career technical education, career technical student organizations, occupational analysis, curriculum design, one or more externships with career technical education industry advisor partners totaling 100 hours, and ongoing participation in technical advisory committee meetings associated with the school's career technical education programs.

c. Industry-Based Occupational Specialist Certificate. Persons who hold an occupational specialist career technical certificate are eligible to teach in a career technical program pathway(s), subject to the grade range(s) and pathway areas(s) of the valid endorsement(s) attached to the certificate. All occupational specialist career technical certificates require candidates to meet the core teaching standards of the Idaho Standards for Initial Certification of Professional School Personnel. An occupational specialist career technical certificate may be issued to an experienced industry expert entering the teaching profession and meeting the following eligibility requirements:

i. Possess either a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate; meet provisions of Idaho Code; and, verify technical skills through work experience, industry certification or testing as listed below. When applicable, requirements of occupationally related state agencies must also be met. Since educational levels and work experiences vary, applicants may be determined qualified under any one (1) of the following three (3) options:

(1) Have three (3) years or six thousand (6,000) hours of recent, gainful employment in the occupation for which certification is requested, at least half of which must have been during the immediate previous five (5) years; or

(2) Have a baccalaureate degree in the specific occupation or related area, plus one (1) year or two thousand (2,000) hours of recent, gainful employment in the occupation for which certification is requested, at least half of which must have been during the immediate previous five (5) years; or

(3) Hold or have held an industry certification in a field closely related to the content area in which the individual seeks to teach as approved by the Division of Career Technical Education.

ii. Limited Occupational Specialist Certificate. This certificate is issued to individuals who are new to teaching in Idaho public schools or new to teaching in career technical education in Idaho public schools. The certificate is an interim certificate and is valid for three (3) years and is non-renewable. Applicants must meet all of the minimum requirements established in Subsection 015.06.a. of these rules. Individuals on a limited occupational specialist certificate must complete one (1) of the two (2) following pathways during the validity period of the certificate:

(1) Pathway I - Coursework: Within the three-year period of the Limited Occupational Specialist Certificate, the instructor must satisfactorily complete the pre-service training prescribed by the Division of Career Technical Education and demonstrate competencies in principles/foundations of occupational education and methods of teaching occupational education. Additionally, the instructor must satisfactorily demonstrate competencies in two (2) of the following areas: career pathways and guidance; analysis, integration, and curriculum development; and measurement and evaluation.

(2) Pathway II - Cohort Training: Within the first twelve (12) months, the holder must enroll in the Division of Career Technical Education sponsored education pedagogy training and complete all requirements within the three-year validity period of the interim certificate.

iii. Standard Occupational Specialist Certificate.

(1) This certificate is issued to individuals who have held a limited occupational specialist certificate and completed one (1) of the pathways for renewable certification.

(2) The Standard Occupational Specialist Certificate is valid for five (5) years and must meet the renewal requirements pursuant to Section 060 of these rules to renew. Credit equivalency will be based on verification of forty-five (45) hours of participation at approved technical conferences, institutes, or workshops where participation is prorated at the rate of fifteen (15) hours per credit; or one hundred twenty (120) hours of approved related work experience where hours worked may be prorated at the rate of forty (4) hours per credit; or any equivalent combination thereof.

iv. Advanced Occupational Specialist Certificate. This certificate is issued to individuals who are eligible for the Standard Occupational Specialist Certificate; and provide evidence of completion of a teacher training degree program or eighteen (18) semester credits of Division of Career Technical Education approved education or content-related course work in addition to the twelve (12) semester credits required for the Standard Occupational Specialist Certificate (a total of thirty (30) semester credits. The Advanced Occupational Specialist Certificate is valid for five (5) years and must meet the renewal requirements pursuant to Section 060 of these rules to renew.

05.Postsecondary Specialist Certificate. A Postsecondary Specialist certificate will be granted to a current academic faculty member whose primary employment is with any accredited Idaho postsecondary institution. To be eligible to teach in the public schools under this postsecondary specialist certificate, the candidate must supply a recommendation from the employing institution (faculty's college dean). The primary use of this state-issued certificate is for distance education, virtual classroom programs, and public and postsecondary partnerships.

a. To renew this certificate, the renewal application must be accompanied with a new written recommendation from the postsecondary institution (faculty's college dean level or higher).

b. The candidate must meet the following qualifications:

i. Hold a baccalaureate degree or higher in the content area being taught;

ii. Be currently employed by the postsecondary institution in the content area to be taught; and

iii. Complete and pass a criminal history background check as required by Section 33-130, Idaho Code.

06.American Indian Tribal Language Certificate. The five (5) federally recognized tribes of Idaho shall provide to the State Department of Education the names of those highly and uniquely qualified individuals who have been designated to teach tribal language(s) in accordance with Section 33-1280, Idaho Code. To be eligible for an American Indian Tribal Languages certificate an applicant designated to teach tribal language(s) shall submit a complete application. If approved the certificate shall be issued for five years and is renewable.

07.Junior Reserved Officer Training Corps (Junior ROTC) Instructors.

a. To be eligible for a Junior ROTC Instructor certificate, an applicant shall submit a complete application and provide a copy of their certificate(s) or letter of completion of an armed forces Junior ROTC training program.

b. If approved the certificate shall be issued for five years and is renewable.

08.Additional Renewal Requirements. In addition to specific certificate or endorsement renewal requirements, applicants must meet the following renewal requirements as applicable:

a. Administrator certificate renewal. In order to recertify, holders of an administrator certificate must complete a course consisting of a minimum of three (3) semester credits in the Idaho framework for teachers' evaluation pursuant to Section 33-1204, Idaho Code. Credits must be earned through an approved educator preparation program and include a laboratory component. The laboratory component must include in-person or video observation and scoring of teacher performance using the statewide framework for teacher's evaluation. The approved course must include the following competencies:

i. Understanding professional practice in Idaho evaluation requirements, including gathering accurate evidence and artifacts, understanding and using the state framework for evaluation rubric with fidelity, proof of calibration and interrater reliability, ability to provide effective feedback for teacher growth, and understanding and advising teachers on individualized learning plan and portfolio development.

ii. Understanding student achievement and growth in the Idaho evaluation framework, including understanding how measurable student achievement and growth measures impact summative evaluation ratings and proficiency in assessment literacy.

Idaho Admin. Code r. 08.02.02.015

Effective April 6, 2023