15-533. Reciprocity; proficiency
examination


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 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 to exceed one year
to a teacher who is a nonresident and 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 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
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.