(1) The state board of education shall, by rule, establish areas of knowledge in which initial teacher licensees shall possess a satisfactory level of proficiency.

(2) The state board by rule shall identify the professional competencies required of the applicants described in subsection (3) of this section specifically in the context of the requirements of standards-based education pursuant to the requirements of part 10 of article 7 of this title. Such professional competencies apply to an applicant only within the scope of the subject matter to be taught by the applicant.

(3) The department of education shall develop and administer, pursuant to the rules of the state board of education, a system for the assessment of such professional competencies of applicants for initial teacher licenses and of applicants for professional teacher licenses who do not demonstrate professional competencies prior to obtaining an initial teacher license.

(4) The state board of education shall annually review the assessment program developed pursuant to subsection (3) of this section to assure the appropriateness of the assessments and the standards established to determine a satisfactory level of proficiency.

(5) The state board of education shall, by rule, establish common credit hour standards for all approved educator preparation programs for the purpose of satisfying subsection (6) of this section.

(6) For purposes of establishing minimum competency in a licensure endorsement area, the state board of education shall establish minimum course work standards that align with the content standards established by the state board of education pursuant to section 22-2-109 (3). Minimum course work standards may be shown in one of the following ways:

(a) For elementary teachers, including special education generalist teachers, passage of the elementary content test;

(b) For secondary teachers:

(I) A degree in the endorsement area;

(II) Passage of a content test in the endorsement area; or

(III) Twenty-four hours of course work in the endorsement area.