The bill proposes the creation of a temporary educator certificate for individuals who are certified to teach in other states. It introduces a new section, 21.0521, to the Education Code, which mandates the State Board for Educator Certification to establish and issue this temporary certificate to eligible applicants. To qualify, applicants must hold a valid, non-temporary teaching certificate from another state and possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. The temporary certificate will expire either one year after issuance or when the individual receives a standard Texas educator certificate, whichever comes first. Notably, the bill allows for an extended expiration period for educators who are spouses of active-duty military members.

Additionally, the bill repeals certain existing provisions in Section 21.052 of the Education Code, streamlining the certification process for out-of-state educators. It specifies that the temporary certificate cannot be reissued or renewed, ensuring that it serves as a provisional measure while the individual seeks full certification in Texas. The State Board is tasked with adopting necessary rules to implement this new certification process promptly after the bill's effective date. The bill will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 21.052 (Education Code 21)