The governing board of any school district, subject to the rules and regulations prescribed by the state board, may enter into an agreement with the proper authorities of any foreign country, or of any state, territory, or possession of the United States, or other district within the state, for the exchange and employment of regularly credentialed employees and employees of public schools of any foreign country, state, territory, or possession, or other district within this state. Any certificated person employed as provided in this section shall be known as an “exchange certificated employee.” No exchange shall be made without the consent of the employee to be exchanged.

Due consideration shall be given to the general qualifications and professional status of the exchange employee as compared to the general qualifications and professional status of the employee for whom exchanged. However, it shall not be a requirement that an exchange certificated employee be a teacher of the same subject or grade, or both, as the employee for whom exchanged. If the service authorized is other than teaching, it shall not be a requirement that the service be at the same grade level or that the service be exactly the same as the employee for whom exchanged.

A person shall not be employed as an exchange employee by a school district in the state unless he or she holds the necessary valid credential or credentials issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing authorizing the person to serve in a position requiring certification qualifications in the school district proposing to employ the person. The commission may establish minimum standards for the credentials for exchange certificated employees, provided that no exchange certificated employee shall be required to pay a fee or other charge for the issuance of any necessary valid credential or credentials authorizing him or her to serve in a position requiring certification qualifications in any school district in this state.

An exchange agreement may be made for a period not to exceed three years.

At the end of the assignment period, the exchange, with the consent of all parties, may be made complete and permanent.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 53, Sec. 11. (SB 512) Effective January 1, 2010.)