15-533. Proficiency examination; examination reciprocity

A. To qualify for a 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.

B. A person is not required to take the examination if the person possesses a comparable valid certification from another state and is in good standing with that other state pursuant to section 15-203, subsection A, paragraph 27.

C. A person who is applying for a standard certificate, or any other certificate adopted by the state board of education, is not required to take the professional knowledge test, the subject knowledge test or the entire proficiency examination if the person has passed corresponding portions of an examination adopted by a state agency in another state that is substantially similar to the examination adopted by the state board of education. A person who is applying for a standard certificate, or any other certificate adopted by the state board of education, is not required to take any portion of the proficiency examination if the person has been a full-time teacher in any state, including this state, for at least three years in the same area of certification in which the person is applying for certification in this state.

D. An applicant for a standard certificate or any other certificate adopted by the state board of education may demonstrate subject knowledge proficiency instead of taking the subject knowledge test required pursuant to this section by meeting any of the following:

1. Has taught courses relevant to a content area or subject matter for the last two consecutive years and for a total of at least three years at one or more regionally or nationally accredited public or private postsecondary institutions. A person shall demonstrate compliance with this requirement by providing the state board with written proof of employment for specific durations from one or more qualifying postsecondary institutions.

2. Has either a baccalaureate degree, a master's degree or a doctoral degree in a subject area that is relevant to a content area or subject matter taught in public schools.

3. Demonstrates expertise through relevant work experience of at least five years in a field that is relevant to a content area or subject matter taught in public schools. A person shall demonstrate compliance with this requirement by providing the state board with written proof of employment.

E. 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 pursuant to section 15-756.09.

F. The state board of education may grant a standard teaching certificate for at least three years to a teacher who has not met the requirements of this section at the time of application.

G. 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 B or C of this section for persons who have taught, obtained certification or obtained a master's degree in another country.

H. 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 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.