A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Board of Education shall issue a standard certificate in the area of mild-moderate or severe-profound disabilities to any individual who has:

1. Earned a bachelor's level college degree from an accredited institution of higher education;

2. Successfully completed the prescribed coursework that may be required for a master's degree in special education from an accredited institution of higher education and any examinations required to obtain a standard certificate in mild-moderate or severe-profound disabilities;

3. Successfully completed the appropriate subject area competency examination as required pursuant to Section 6-187 of this title;

4. On file with the State Board of Education a national criminal history record check as required pursuant to Section 5-142 of this title; and

5. Submitted an application and payment of the required certification fee.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual who holds a current standard certificate pursuant to subsection A of this section can satisfy the highly qualified teacher requirement for early childhood education or elementary education by successful completion of the early childhood education or elementary education examinations.

C. To obtain standard certification in early childhood education or elementary education, the individual shall complete an appropriate teacher education program approved by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation.

Added by Laws 2013, c. 336, § 2, eff. July 1, 2013. Amended by Laws 2014, c. 120, § 2, eff. July 1, 2014.