Fiscal Note
Fiscal Services Division
HF 255 – Teacher Licensure, Intern Licenses and Alternative Certification (LSB1706HV)
Staff Contact: Michael Peters (515.281.6934) michael.peters@legis.iowa.gov
Fiscal Note Version – New
Description
House File 255 modifies requirements for practitioner preparation programs that assist students
in attaining a teacher intern license from the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE). The Bill
makes the following changes:
• Allows a non-Iowa resident who has completed an accredited or state-approved teacher
preparation program to receive licensure from the BOEE if the applicant provides the BOEE
with a copy of an in-state offer of employment. Requires the BOEE to issue a teacher intern
license to specified applicants and requires the BOEE to allow a teacher intern licensee to
apply for an initial teaching license.
• Requires the BOEE to adopt rules that allow an individual seeking a career and technical
secondary authorization to apply and, if eligible, be issued the secondary authorization
before accepting an offer of employment. Requires the BOEE to grant a temporary initial
teaching license to applicants who complete a defined alternative teacher certification
program if the applicant meets defined criteria.
• Extends eligibility for teacher licensure, which is already established for initial licensees, to
candidates who have received a temporary initial license.
Background
Iowa Code section 256.7 establishes the responsibility of the State Board of Education to
approve practitioner preparation programs physically operating in or outside of the State. These
programs allow individuals with a bachelor’s degree to complete licensing requirements and
serve as an intern (full-time) teacher once the program requirements are met, typically in the
second year of the program. The State of Iowa currently has two approved practitioner
preparation programs.
Morningside University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching, and the three State universities
collaborate to sponsor the Regents Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure (RAPIL). Admissions
requirements for both programs include a bachelor’s degree in an endorsed area from a
regionally accredited institution, a minimum 2.75 GPA, and three years of post-bachelor’s
degree work experience.
After a student completes the first year of an Iowa teacher intern program with either existing
program, that student receives a teacher intern license. The licensee is then eligible to apply for
an initial teaching license after completing a one-year internship and all required coursework
and testing. The initial teaching license is converted to a standard teaching license after two
years of successful teaching in an Iowa public school, or three years in an accredited private or
out-of-state setting.
House File 255 relates to eligibility for, but does not amend, the following existing education
licensure pathways:
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• Alternative Teacher Certification Program — All routes outside of the traditional Iowa
teaching license typically allow the conversion of a bachelor’s degree into a teaching license
with additional coursework and on-the-job training.
• Career and Technical Authorization — Allows working professionals in career and technical
areas to teach under an initial license for three years with a combination of relevant
experience and/or teaching endorsements.
• Teacher Intern License — Allows an individual with a bachelor’s degree who completes the
first year of an Iowa teacher intern program, through either Morningside University or RAPIL,
to teach under a school-based mentorship. After completing all program requirements, the
licensee can apply for an Iowa initial teaching license.
• Temporary Initial Teaching License — Granted after completion of a full Iowa-approved
teacher preparation program, but prior to completing the assessment. A full license can be
applied for once the applicant completes the required completion assessments. Licensees
can apply for the full initial teaching license once the assessments have been passed.
• Regional Exchange Teaching License — Grants a provisional license for the completion of a
full state-approved teacher preparation program from a regionally accredited institution
outside Iowa as the teacher works to correct coursework deficiencies identified by the BOEE
review.
• Standard Teaching License – Issued after two years of successful teaching in an Iowa
public school, or three years in an accredited private or out-of-state setting.
Assumptions
• RAPIL Program costs are based on the figures as of August 1, 2022.
• Revenue from teacher intern licenses, which vary based on licensure pathway, initial
teaching licenses, and background checks are unknown.
• Establishing a new pathway to teacher licensure may decrease applications to the RAPIL
Program.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact of HF 255 is unknown and cannot be determined. However, participation in
the Bill’s proposed temporary initial teaching licensure path may affect the RAPIL Program
administered by the Board of Regents. The potential loss of revenue to the RAPIL Program
would be approximately $14,000 per student which includes:
• Tuition $11,000
• Technology Fees $1,000
• Course Fees $2,000
Sources
Board of Educational Examiners
Board of Regents
Department of Education
Morningside University
Regents Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure
/s/ Jennifer Acton
March 8, 2023
Doc ID 1368820
The fiscal note for this Bill was prepared pursuant to Joint Rule 17 and the Iowa Code. Data used in developing this
fiscal note is available from the Fiscal Services Division of the Legislative Services Agency upon request.
www.legis.iowa.gov
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Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256.16, 272.28
Reprinted: 256.16, 272.28