15-531.01. Certification expiration; military service; one year extension

A. A certificate issued pursuant to this article to any member of the Arizona national guard or the United States armed forces reserves shall not expire while the member is serving on federal active duty and shall be extended one year after the member returns from federal active duty, provided that the member, or the legal representative of the member, notifies the state board of education of the federal active duty status of the member. A certificate issued pursuant to this article to any member serving in the regular component of the United States armed forces shall be extended one year from the date of expiration, provided that the member, or the legal representative of the member, notifies the state board of education of the federal active duty status of the member.

B. A certificate issued pursuant to this article to any member of the Arizona national guard, the United States armed forces reserves or the regular component of the United States armed forces shall not expire and shall be extended one year from the date the military member is able to perform activities necessary under the certificate if the member both:

1. Is released from active duty service.

2. Suffers an injury as a result of active duty service that temporarily prevents the member from being able to perform activities necessary under the certificate.

C. If the certificate is renewed during the applicable extended time period, the member is responsible only for normal fees and activities, including maintaining a valid fingerprint clearance card, relating to renewal of the certificate and shall not be charged any additional costs such as late fees or delinquency fees.

D. The member, or the legal representative of the member, shall present to the state board of education a copy of the member's official military orders, a redacted military identification card or a written verification from the member's commanding officer before the end of the applicable extended time period in order to qualify for the extension.