Candidates for school nurse, school occupational therapist, school physical therapist and school speech-language pathologist or audiologist, school social worker, school behavior analyst, and school orientation and mobility specialist certification shall apply directly to the professional certification office. Such candidates shall complete the following requirements, in addition to those set forth in WAC 181-79A-150, except for a state-approved educator preparation program.

(1) Degree. Candidates who hold a master's degree or higher are not required to obtain a role-specific master's degree if the candidate provides satisfactory evidence to the superintendent of public instruction that they have completed all course work requirements relevant to the role-specific master's degree.

(2) Professional transitions to public schools. Candidates for the initial certificate for the roles under this section must complete the professional transitions to public schools coursework under WAC 181-79A-224.

(3) Experience. Candidates for the professional certificate for the roles under this section must complete two years full-time equivalency (FTE) in the role in Washington with a school district, state-approved private school, state tribal compact school, state authorized charter school, or state agency that provides educational services for students.

(4) School nurse.

(a) Initial.

(i) The candidate shall hold a valid ((department of health)) license as a registered nurse (RN) ((in Washington state))under chapter 18.79 or 18.80 RCW.

(ii) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree or higher in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

(b) Professional.

(i) The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as a school nurse and have completed ((one hundred fifty))150 continuing education credit hours related to education, nursing, or other health sciences since the first issuance of the initial certificate.

(ii) The candidate shall hold a valid ((department of health)) license as a registered nurse (RN) ((in Washington state))under chapter 18.79 or 18.80 RCW.

(iii) The candidate shall have completed suicide prevention training under RCW 28A.410.226, 43.70.442, and as described in WAC 181-79A-244.

(5) School occupational therapist.

(a) Initial.

(i) The candidate shall hold a valid ((department of health)) license as an occupational therapist ((in Washington state))under chapter 18.59 RCW.

(ii) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree or higher from an American Occupational Therapy Association approved program in occupational therapy.

(b) Professional.

(i) The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as a school occupational therapist and have completed ((one hundred fifty))150 continuing education credit hours related to occupational therapy, other health sciences, or education since the first issuance of the initial certificate.

(ii) The candidate shall hold a valid ((department of health)) license as an occupational therapist ((in Washington state))under chapter 18.59 RCW.

(6) School physical therapist.

(a) Initial.

(i) The candidate shall hold a valid ((department of health)) license as a physical therapist ((in Washington state))under chapter 18.74 RCW.

(ii) The candidate shall hold a baccalaureate degree or higher from an American Physical Therapy Association accredited program in physical therapy.

(b) Professional. The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as a school physical therapist and have completed ((one hundred fifty))150 continuing education credit hours related to physical therapy, other health sciences, or education since the first issuance of the initial certificate.

(7) School speech-language pathologist or audiologist.

(a) Initial. The candidate shall have completed all course work (except special project or thesis) for a master's degree or higher from a college or university program accredited by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA). If the degree program requires a written comprehensive exam relevant to the role, the candidate must successfully complete it. If the degree program does not require a written comprehensive exam relevant to the role, the candidate may present verification from ASHA of a passing score on a national exam in speech pathology or audiology, or a passing score on an exam approved by the professional educator standards board.

(b) Professional.

(i) The candidate shall hold a master's degree or higher.

(ii) The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as a speech language pathologist or audiologist and have completed ((one hundred fifty))150 continuing education credit hours related to speech language pathology, audiology, other health sciences, or education since the first issuance of the initial certificate.

(8) School social worker.

(a) Initial. The candidate shall hold a masters degree or higher in social work or social welfare from an accredited institution of higher learning.

(b) Professional.

(i) The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as a school social worker and have completed ((one hundred fifty))150 continuing education credit hours related to the role of the school social worker or education since the first issuance of the initial certificate.

(ii) The candidate shall have completed suicide prevention training under RCW 28A.410.226, 43.70.442, and as described in WAC 181-79A-244.

(9) Behavior analyst.

(a) Initial.

(i) Candidates must hold a valid board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) certificate from the behavior analyst certification board (BACB), or other national certificate as approved by the professional educator standards board.

(ii) Candidates must hold a master's degree or higher in any area.

(iii) Candidates must have achieved a passing score on the board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) exam from the behavior analyst certification board (BACB), or other assessment as approved by the professional educator standards board.

(b) Professional.

(ii) The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as a behavior analyst and have completed ((one hundred fifty))150 continuing education credit hours related to the role of the school behavior analyst or education since the first issuance of the initial certificate.

(10) Orientation and mobility specialist.

(a) Initial.

(i) Candidates must hold a valid certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS) certificate from the academy for certification of vision rehabilitation and education professionals (ACVREP), valid national orientation and mobility certification (NOMC) from the national blindness professional certification board (NBPCB), or other valid national certificate as approved by the professional educator standards board.

(ii) Candidates must hold a baccalaureate degree or higher in any area.

(b) Professional.

(ii) The candidate shall have completed the requirements for the initial certificate as an orientation and mobility specialist and have completed ((one hundred fifty))150 continuing education credit hours related to the role or to education since the first issuance of the initial certificate.

Certificate renewal requirements include the following:

(1) Equity-based school practices. Applications for renewal dated July 1, 2023, and beyond, for the certificate types and roles as indicated in (a) and (b) of this subsection, must demonstrate completion of professional learning focused on equity based school practices aligned with the cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion (CCDEI) standards under WAC 181-85-204.

(a) Completion of at least 15 continuing education credit hours of professional learning in equity-based school practices is required for renewal of residency, professional, initial, and continuing teacher and CTE teacher certificates.

(b) Completion of at least 10 continuing education credit hours of professional learning in equity-based school practices is required for renewal of residency, professional, initial, and continuing principal, program administrator, superintendent, and CTE director certificates.

(c) Individuals holding at least one valid, expiration dated administrator certificate under (b) of this subsection are only required to meet the equity-based school practices requirement for administrators when renewing or reinstating a teacher certificate under (a) of this subsection.

(d) Holders of a valid National Board Certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) meet the equity-based school practices requirement by maintaining a valid National Board Certificate.

(e) A professional growth plan with at least one goal aligned to the standards in this subsection meets the equity-based school practices requirement.

(2) National Professional Standards for Education Leaders. Applications for renewal dated July 1, 2023, and beyond, for holders of residency, professional, initial, and continuing certificates in the role of principal, program administrator, superintendent and CTE director, must demonstrate completion of 10 continuing education credit hours of professional learning focused on the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA) Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL). A professional growth plan with at least one goal aligned to the PSEL standards meets the certificate renewal requirement in this subsection.

(3) Providers for professional learning in equity-based school practices and National Professional Standards for Education Leaders. Professional learning under subsections (1) and (2) of this section must be provided by one or more of the following organizations. These organizations may only provide the professional learning for as long as they maintain status as a Washington state approved in-service education agency under chapter 181-85 WAC.

(a) Association of Washington school principals;

(b) Office of the superintendent of public instruction;

(d) Washington education association;

(e) Washington state educational service districts; or

(f) Washington state school districts, tribal compact schools, approved charter schools, Washington school for the deaf, Washington school for the blind.

(4) Government-to-government relationships with federally recognized tribes.

(a) Applications for renewal dated July 1, 2023, and beyond, for holders of residency, professional, initial, and continuing certificates in the role of principal, program administrator, superintendent and CTE director, must demonstrate completion of five continuing education credit hours of professional learning focused on government-to-government relationships with federally recognized tribes.

(b) Professional learning related to government-to-government relationships with federally recognized tribes must be provided by one or more subject matter experts approved by the governor's office on Indian affairs in collaboration with the tribal leaders congress on education and the office of native education in the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

(c) Completion of a professional growth plan (PGP) may not be used to meet the requirement for professional learning in government-to-government relationships.

(5) Science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) integration. Applications for certificate renewal must demonstrate completion of at least 15 continuing education credit hours, or at least one goal from an annual professional growth plan, emphasizing the integration of science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics instruction under RCW 28A.410.2212.

(a) This renewal requirement applies to teachers in the following areas: Elementary education; early childhood education; middle level mathematics and science; secondary mathematics; secondary science; the designated sciences; and career and technical education. Specific endorsements in these endorsement areas are as published by the professional educator standards board.

(b) Holders of a valid National Board Certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) meet this requirement by maintaining a valid National Board Certificate.

(6) Suicide prevention training requirement. Renewal of certificates, and issuance of professional certificates, for school counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, and school social workers requires completion of suicide prevention training under RCW 28A.410.226, 43.70.442, and as described in this section.

Approved trainings meeting this suicide prevention training requirement will be as published by the professional educator standards board. The training program must be at least three hours in length. The professional educator standards board will consider these training programs as continuing education credit hours.

(7) Washington state department of health licenses.

(a) Holding a valid ((department of health)) license as a physical therapist ((in Washington state))under chapter 18.74 RCW is a requirement for renewal of school physical therapist educational staff associate (ESA) certificate.

(b) Holding a valid ((department of health)) license as an occupational therapist ((in Washington state))under chapter 18.59 RCW is required for renewal of school occupational therapist ESA certificates.

(c) Holding a valid ((department of health)) license as a registered nurse (RN) ((in Washington state))under chapter 18.79 or 18.80 RCW is a requirement for renewal of school nurse ESA certificates.

(8) National certificates related to educational staff associate roles.

(a) Holding a valid Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certificate from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), or other national certificate as approved by the professional educator standards board, is a requirement for renewal of School Behavior Analyst ESA certificates.

(b) Holding a valid Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) Certificate from Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP), or, a valid National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB), is a requirement for renewal of school Orientation and Mobility Specialist ESA Certificates.

(9) Continuing education role requirements. Except as otherwise required in Title 181 WAC, continuing education for the following roles must relate to the described areas.

(a) CTE teacher. Continuing education credit hours for renewal of CTE teacher certificates must relate to career and technical education methods, including those described in RCW 28A.700.010 and WAC 181-77A-165, or to the subject matter certified to teach.

(b) CTE director. Continuing education credit hours for renewal of CTE director certificates must relate to career and technical education, or supervisory or managerial subjects.

(i) American School Counseling Association (ASCA) Professional Standards and Competencies; or

(ii) School Counselor Standards published by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

(d) School psychologist. Continuing education credit hours for renewal certificates must relate to the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Professional Practices.

All applicants for limited certificates must meet the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements of WAC 181-79A-150 (1) and (2).

Nothing within chapter 181-79A WAC authorizes practice by an educational staff associate which is otherwise prohibited or restricted by any other law, including licensure statutes and rules and regulations adopted by the appropriate licensure board or agency.

(1) Conditional certificate.

(a) Intent. The intent of the conditional certificate is to assist school districts, approved private schools, and educational service districts in meeting the state's educational goals by giving them flexibility in hiring decisions based on shortages or the opportunity to secure the services of unusually talented individuals.

(b) Roles.

(i) Teacher roles. The conditional certificate may be issued to teachers in all endorsement areas. Specific minimum requirements defined in this section apply to the following:

(A) Special education teachers;

(B) Nonimmigrant exchange teachers;

(ii) Educational staff associate roles. The conditional certificate may be issued in the following education staff associate roles:

(A) School counselor;

(B) School nurse;

(D) School social worker;

(E) School speech language pathologist or audiologist;

(F) School behavior analyst;

(G) School orientation and mobility specialist.

(iii) Administrator role. The conditional certificate may be issued in the following administrator role: Principal.

(i) When requesting the conditional certificate, the district, the educational service district, or the approved private school will verify that one or more of the following criteria have been met:

(A) The individual has extensive experience, unusual distinction, or exceptional talent in the subject matter to be taught or in the certificate role; or

(B) No person with regular certification in the area is available; or

(D) The individual is enrolled in an educator preparation program specific to the certificate role for which they are applying; or

(E) The individual will serve as a nonimmigrant exchange teacher and meets the specific minimum requirements defined in this section; or

(F) The individual will serve as a traffic safety education teacher and meets the specific minimum requirements defined in this section; or

(G) Circumstances warrant.

(ii) When requesting the conditional certificate, the district, the educational service district, or the approved private school will verify that all of the following criteria have been met:

(A) The district, educational service district, or approved private school has determined that the individual is competent for the assignment; and

(B) After specific inclusion on the agenda and a formal vote, the school board or educational service district board has authorized the conditional certificate; and

(D) The individual will be delegated primary responsibility for planning, conducting, and evaluating instructional activities; and

(E) The individual will not be serving in a paraeducator role; and

(F) The individual will be oriented and prepared for the assignment. In addition, prior to service, the individual will be apprised of any legal liability, the responsibilities of a professional educator, the lines of authority, and the duration of the assignment; and

(G) The individual will be assigned a mentor within 20 working days from the commencement of the assignment; and

(H) A written plan of support will be developed within 20 working days from the commencement of the assignment.

(d) Minimum requirements.

(i) Individuals must complete 50 continuing education credit hours after the issuance of the certificate, and prior to the reissuance of the certificate. Holders of conditional certificates in the role of nonimmigrant exchange teacher are not required to complete 50 continuing education credit hours.

(ii) Special education teacher. The applicant for a conditional teaching certificate in special education shall hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

The issuance of a conditional certificate to a special education teacher is contingent upon the individual being enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation program resulting in a teacher certificate endorsed in special education.

An individual with full certification and endorsed in special education shall be assigned as a mentor to the special education teacher serving on a conditional certificate for the duration of the conditional certificate.

(iii) Traffic safety education teacher. The applicant qualifies to instruct in the traffic safety program under WAC 392-153-021. Written plans of support and mentors are not required for holders of conditional certificates in the role of traffic safety education teacher.

(iv) Nonimmigrant exchange. A conditional certificate in the role of teacher may be issued to an individual admitted to the United States for the purpose of serving as an exchange teacher.

The individual must be eligible to serve as a teacher in the elementary or secondary schools in their country of nationality or last residence.

(v) School counselor. The applicant must hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, and be enrolled in a state-approved preparation program for the role, in accordance with Washington requirements for certification.

(vi) School nurse. The applicant possesses a ((state of Washington))valid license ((for))as a registered nurse (RN) under chapter 18.79 or 18.80 RCW. Applicants who meet the requirements for the initial school nurse certificate will not be issued a conditional school nurse certificate.

(vii) School psychologist. The applicant must hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university, and be enrolled in a state-approved preparation program for school psychologists, in accordance with Washington requirements for certification.

In addition, the candidate shall have completed all course work for the required master's degree, and shall be participating in the required internship.

(viii) School social worker. The applicant must hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. The applicant must be enrolled in a master's degree program in social work or social welfare.

(ix) School speech language pathologist or audiologist. The applicant has completed a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

(x) School behavior analyst. Applicants must meet one or more of the following:

(A) Hold a valid Washington state department of health license as an assistant behavior analyst. The district, educational service district, or approved private school must provide a supervisor who meets the department of health requirements for a supervisor of assistant behavior analysts; or

(B) Hold a valid board certified assistant behavior analyst (BCABA) certificate from the behavior analyst certification board (BACB). The district, educational service district, or approved private school must provide a supervisor who meets the behavior analyst certification board (BACB) requirements for a supervisor of board certified assistant behavior analyst (BCABA); or

(C) Hold a bachelor's degree, and, must be enrolled in or have completed the course work requirements for the board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) certificate from the behavior analyst certification board (BACB), as verified by the institution providing the behavior analysis course work.

(xi) School orientation and mobility specialist.

(A) Applicants must have completed all requirements for an approved national certificate with the exception of the internship and the assessment, as verified by the institution providing the coursework for the national certificate. The approved national certificates are the certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS) certificate from the academy for certification of vision rehabilitation and education professionals (ACVREP), and the national orientation and mobility certification (NOMC) from the national blindness professional certification board (NBPCB).

(B) The school employer must ensure the candidate has access to a mentor who meets the requirements for an intern supervisor set by the academy for certification of vision rehabilitation and education professionals (ACVREP) or the national blindness professional certification board (NBPCB).

(xii) Principal. The applicant holds a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

The candidate for conditional certification as a principal shall be enrolled in a program resulting in the issuance of a residency principal certificate, in accordance with Washington requirements for certification.

(e) Validity. The conditional certificate is valid for two years or less, and is only valid for the activity or role specified on the certificate.

The reissuance of the special education conditional certificate will have a validity period of three years or less.

(f) Reissuance.

(i) The conditional certificate may be reissued upon request by the employing local school district, approved private school, or educational service district, provided all conditions for the first issuance of the certificate are met.

(ii) The requesting school district, approved private school, or educational service district will verify that the 50 continuing education credit hours earned as a requirement for reissuance of the certificate are designed to support the individual's professional growth, and enhance the individual's knowledge or skills to better assist students in meeting state learning goals.

(iii) Nonimmigrant exchange. The conditional certificate in the role of teacher may be reissued while the individual is being sponsored by a school district in an exchange and visiting teacher program.

(iv) Special education teacher. Conditional certificates in special education may only be reissued once. The reissuance of the special education conditional certificate will have a validity period of three years or less. The special education conditional certificate may only be reissued upon verification by the preparation program provider that the individual is completing satisfactory progress in a state-approved teacher certificate program leading to a special education endorsement.

(v) School speech language pathologist or audiologist. Conditional certificates as a school speech language pathologist or audiologist may be reissued twice.

The conditional certification as a school speech language pathologist or audiologist may be reissued if the candidate is enrolled in a master's degree program resulting in issuance of an initial ESA certificate in accordance with Washington requirements for certification.

The school speech language pathologist or audiologist conditional certificate may be reissued a second time upon verification by the degree provider that the individual is completing satisfactory progress in a master's degree program resulting in issuance of an initial school speech language pathologist or audiologist certificate in accordance with Washington requirements for certification.

(vi) Conditional certificates as a school behavior analyst may be reissued twice.

(vii) Conditional certificates as a school orientation and mobility specialist may be reissued once.

(2) Transitional certificate.

(a) Intent. The transitional certificate provides flexibility for school districts in employing an individual according to this chapter.

(i) Individuals whose continuing certificate has lapsed or expired.

(ii) Individuals whose certificate has lapsed or expired by June 30, 2022, under WAC 181-79A-240.

(b) Roles. The transitional certificate may be issued in roles of teacher, education staff associate, and administrator for continuing certificates or other certificates subject to renewal under WAC 181-79A-240.

(i) The transitional certificate is issued upon request by a school district, approved private school, or educational service district for an individual whose continuing certificate has lapsed or expired according to this chapter.

(ii) The transitional certificate is issued upon request by a school district, approved private school, or educational service district for an individual whose certificate has expired according to this chapter.

(A) Districts may request a transitional certificate for all certificates other than continuing certificates under this section through December 31, 2023.

(B) Educators under this section must apply for the transitional certificate through the office of the superintendent of public instruction no later than June 30, 2024.

(iii) School districts, approved private schools, and educational service districts are strongly encouraged to develop with the holder of a transitional certificate a plan of support for the holder to complete the necessary certificate renewal requirements under this chapter.

(d) Minimum requirements.

(i) The holder of the transitional certificate must complete the requirements for certificate renewal within two years of the date the holder was issued the transitional certificate.

(ii) No individual whose certificate has been suspended, revoked, or surrendered shall be eligible to be employed under this section.

(e) Validity. The transitional certificate is valid until two years from the date the holder was issued the certificate. The transitional certificate expiration date shall not be calculated under professional educator standards board policy WAC 181-79A-117.

(f) Reissuance. The transitional certificate is not renewable and may not be reissued.

(3) Emergency substitute certificate.

(a) Intent. The intent of the emergency substitute certificate is to assist school districts, approved private schools, and educational service districts with flexibility in meeting educator workforce needs.

(b) Roles.

(i) The emergency substitute certificate may be issued in the role of teacher.

(ii) To ensure that related services personnel deliver special education services in their respective discipline or profession, the emergency substitute certificate may not be issued for individuals to serve in an educational staff associate role in accordance with 34 C.F.R. Part 300.156 (b)(2)(ii).

(iii) Holders of the emergency substitute certificate may serve in the local school district, approved private school, or educational service district which requested the certificate.

(iv) Holders of the emergency substitute certificate may serve as substitutes if the local school district, approved private school, or educational service district has exhausted or reasonably anticipates it will exhaust its list of qualified substitutes under WAC 181-79A-232.

(i) The emergency substitute certificate is issued upon request by a school district, approved private school, or educational service district.

(ii) If the local school district, approved private school, or educational service district has exhausted or reasonably anticipates it will exhaust its list of qualified substitutes who are willing to serve as substitutes, emergency substitute certificates may be issued to persons not fully qualified as substitutes under WAC 181-79A-232.

(d) Validity. Emergency substitute certificates shall be valid for two years or less.

(e) Reissuance. The emergency substitute certificate may be reissued upon request by the employing local school district, approved private school, or educational service district.

(4) Intern substitute certificate.

(a) Intent. The intent of the intern substitute certificate is to provide the intern the opportunity to serve as a substitute when the cooperating teacher is absent. This provides the intern with experience while allowing for consistency in instruction for the students.

(b) Roles. The intern substitute certificate may be issued to student teachers or intern teachers.

(i) School districts, educational service districts, and approved private schools may request intern substitute teacher certificates for individuals enrolled in student teaching and internships to serve as substitute teachers in the absence of the cooperating teacher.

(ii) The supervising preparation program provider must approve the candidate for the intern substitute teacher certificate.

(d) Minimum requirements. The holder of the intern substitute certificate may be called at the discretion of the school district, education service district, or approved private school to serve as a substitute teacher only in the classroom(s) to which the individual is assigned as a student teacher or intern.

(e) Validity. The intern substitute teacher certificate is valid for one year or less.

(f) Reissuance. The intern substitute certificate may be reissued upon request by the local school district, approved private school, or educational service district, and approved by the educator preparation program provider.