The bill amends sections of the General Laws related to the certification of teachers in Rhode Island. It establishes that individuals cannot be denied certification based solely on their scores from standardized teacher examinations, provided they successfully complete an assessment set by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE). Effective July 1, 2026, all currently certified teachers will have their certifications automatically extended for three (3) or five (5) years without any fees or penalties. During the period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029, RIDE will waive all fees for applying for initial teacher certification and for Praxis examination fees.

Additionally, the bill allows RIDE to issue certificates without examination to qualified individuals and enables teachers with at least three (3) years of certified teaching experience to acquire additional certifications through examination or content coursework. It also mandates RIDE to review and revise its rules governing teacher and administrator licensure to create multiple pathways for certification, including recognizing non-traditional education and work experience as valid for credit towards certification requirements.