PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR

[Filed March 26, 2024, 1:41 p.m.]

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 23-24-045.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 181-79A-117 Uniform expiration date.

Hearing Location(s): On May 16, 2024, at 8 a.m., in Tri-Cities, Washington. Exact meeting location and a link to listen to the meeting virtually will be available several weeks prior to the meeting. More information regarding this can be found on our website https://www.pesb.wa.gov/about-us/board-meetings/.

Date of Intended Adoption: May 16, 2024.

Submit Written Comments to: Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB), P.O. Box 47236, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236, email pesb@k12.wa.us, by 8 a.m., Monday, May 13, 2024.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact PESB, phone 360-725-6275, email pesb.k12.wa.us, by Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This rule change would add a renewal date to newly issued educator certificates.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: This rule change would allow for improved customer service for educators seeking certificate renewal.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 28A.410 RCW.

Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 28A.410 RCW.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: PESB, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Michael Nguyen, P.O. Box 47236, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236, 360-489-4471; Implementation: Jeffrey Youde, P.O. Box 47236, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236, 360-870-0143; and Enforcement: Erica Hernandez-Scott, P.O. Box 47236, 600 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7236, 360-890-2443.

A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.

A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328.

This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:

Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rules adopt, amend, or repeal a procedure, practice, or requirement relating to agency hearings; or a filing or related process requirement for applying to an agency for a license or permit.

Scope of exemption for rule proposal:

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-15-085, filed 7/16/21, effective 8/16/21)

WAC 181-79A-117Uniform expiration and renewal application date.

(1) All certificates issued for one or more stated years shall expire on June 30th of the stated year and shall be calculated as follows:

(a) Certificates issued prior to June 30th of a calendar year, other than limited certificates issued under WAC 181-79A-231, shall have the expiration date of the certificate calculated on the basis such certificate was issued on June 30th of the same calendar year regardless of the date of issuance.

(b) Certificates issued July 1st or later in the calendar year, other than limited certificates issued under WAC 181-79A-231, shall have the expiration date of the certificate calculated on the basis such certificate was issued on June 30th of the next calendar year regardless of the date of issuance.

(c) Certificates subject to renewal under chapter 181-79A WAC shall have a renewal application submission deadline six months prior to the certificate's expiration date. Any application for renewal submitted after the January 1st submission deadline date is considered late.

(2) An applicant who holds a valid certificate, who submits an application for further certification prior to the expiration date of that certificate, and who meets all the requirements of WAC 181-79A-128, shall be granted a ((one hundred eighty-day))180-day permit under chapter 181-79A WAC.

(3) Any educator in the National Guard, U.S. military branch reserves, or U.S. Coast Guard reserve who is called up to active duty by one of the U.S. military branches by order of an authorized agency or official of Washington state government, or by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for more than ((thirty))30 consecutive days shall be granted an extension of the expiration date of their certificate. The extension shall be equal to the length of active duty service calculated to the next uniform expiration date.