This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to modify the requirements for obtaining a professional teaching certificate. Specifically, it stipulates that the requirement to pass state board-approved basic skills and subject matter tests applies only to individuals who have not completed a bachelor's degree program in education or those who have completed such a program but have a grade point average below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. This change aims to broaden the eligibility for certification by allowing those who meet certain educational criteria or have relevant teaching experience to qualify without passing these tests.

Additionally, the bill maintains existing provisions for various types of teaching certificates, including alternative program teacher certificates and professional administrative certificates, while ensuring that the initial professional certificate is issued provisionally for three years. The bill also includes provisions for temporary teaching certificates for armed forces spouses, allowing them to teach in West Virginia under specific conditions. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline the certification process and make it more accessible to potential educators in the state.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18A-3-2a