1. The board shall establish by rule the criteria for teacher licensure and the process for issuing teaching licenses. The criteria must include considerations of character, adequate educational preparation, and general fitness to teach. 2. The board may not require a teacher who graduated from an accredited teacher education program on or before September 1, 1980, to earn any college credits in native American or other multicultural courses as a condition of licensure or license renewal. 3. This section does not affect the validity of teaching certificates in effect on July 31, 2001. 4. This section does not affect the qualifications for career and technical education certificates, as otherwise established by law. 5. The board shall grant an initial license to an individual who: a. Possesses a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; b. Passes a criminal history record check required by section 15.1-13-14; and c. Successfully completes an alternative teacher certification program. 6. An in-state alternative teacher certification program must operate in accordance with the procedures and program approval standards and requirements set by the board for teacher education programs for the licensure of educators. 7. An out-of-state alternative teacher certification program must: a. Operate in at least five states; b. Have operated an alternative teacher certification program for at least ten years; c. Require applicants to pass a subject area and pedagogy examination, known as the professional teaching knowledge examination, to receive certification; d. Allow an individual who obtains an initial or renewal license to teach in the subject areas of: (1) Elementary education; (2) Elementary education with a reading endorsement; (3) English language arts; (4) United States and world history; (5) Mathematics; (6) General science; (7) Biology; (8) Chemistry; (9) Physics; and (10) Special education; e. Operate in accordance with the procedures and program approval standards and requirements set by the board for teacher education programs for the licensure of educators; and f. Meet the procedures and program approval standards and requirements under subdivision e by July 1, 2023. 8. An individual who obtains an initial license under subsection 5 is authorized to teach the subject and educational levels for which the individual has successfully completed the program described under subsection 5. 9. Upon completing two years of teaching under an initial license issued under subsection 5, the licensee is eligible to apply for a five -year renewal license if the individual: a. Completes the program's clinical experience program and the North Dakota teacher support system approved mentor program; b. Meets the requirements of section 15.1 -13-35 within two years of initial licensure; and c. Meets the requirements of human resources and cultural directives required coursework within two years of initial licensure which includes Native American studies, cultural diversity, strategies for creating learning environments that contribute to positive human relationships, and strategies for teaching and assessing diverse learners.
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