Alabama would speed certification for out-of-state career teachers

The State Board of Education must establish a faster pathway for the State Superintendent to issue Alabama certificates to qualified out-of-state career and technical education teachers. The pathway covers people seeking to teach career and technical education courses at Alabama public high schools who previously taught those courses, or equivalent courses, in another state. Applicants must submit the required application and fees. Applicants must hold an active teaching certificate, or equivalent, from another state. A local school superintendent must recommend the applicant. Applicants must pass a criminal history background check. The act takes effect June 1, 2026; after that date, the superintendent must issue a certificate as soon as practicable after verifying the requirements.

The State Superintendent must issue the certificate without requiring additional testing, coursework, or documentation before issuance, and the certificate holder may teach only career and technical education courses. These rules apply to certificates issued through the expedited pathway for teaching career and technical education courses. The certificate has the same term and renewal requirements as other standard teaching certificates. A local school board may offer a relocation stipend or hiring incentive at its discretion and only when funds are available. The optional incentive applies to a certified person who moves to Alabama from another state to teach career and technical education. The certificate limits and optional incentive apply to certificates issued under the pathway after the act takes effect on June 1, 2026.

The State Superintendent must track certificates issued through the pathway and submit an annual program report, while the State Board must adopt needed implementation rules. Reports must go to the Governor, the House speaker, and the Senate president pro tempore, and must cover certificates issued, schools employing certificate holders, and program effectiveness. The report must provide the number of certificates issued each year and the schools where holders teach. The board may adopt rules needed to administer the pathway. The annual report is due by February 1 of each year; the act takes effect June 1, 2026.