Sec 15-533. Reciprocity; proficiency examination  


Latest version.
  • A. To qualify for either a basic or standard teaching certificate, or equivalent certificate later adopted by the state board of education, a person must pass each component of the proficiency examination developed and administered by the state board of education. The proficiency examination shall consist of only a professional knowledge test and a subject knowledge test. A person is not required to take the examination if the person has passed a proficiency examination adopted by a state agency in another state that is equivalent to the state board of education. A person is not required to take the professional knowledge portion of the examination if the person has been a full-time teacher for at least three years in that same area of certification in which the person is applying for certification in this state. A person is not required to take the subject knowledge portion of the examination if the person has obtained a master's degree in that subject area at an accredited institution of higher education according to an official transcript issued from the institution. A person who obtained structured English immersion training in another state that the state board of education determines is comparable to the structured English immersion training required in this state shall not be required to obtain additional structured English immersion training in this state. The state board of education may grant a basic or standard teaching certificate for not more than three years to a teacher who has not met the requirement of this section at the time of application.

    B. A person is not required to pass the proficiency examination or the equivalent examination more than once. The state board of education may adopt rules to modify the requirements of subsection A of this section for persons who have taught, obtained certification or obtained a master's degree in another country. Notwithstanding any other law, a person who has not taught during the ten years immediately preceding the submission of the application for certification is required to repass the examination.

    C. A person who is not required to pass the proficiency examination developed and administered in this state by the state board of education pursuant to subsection A or B of this section shall only be granted reciprocity for those proficiency examinations required in this state that pertain to the grade levels and content areas that the person is certified to teach in another state.