A. The State Board of Education shall issue a one-year, nonrenewable secondary or middle level certificate to teach to any person who has attained certification by an alternative teacher certification organization as set forth in subsection C of this section and has on file with the Board a current Oklahoma criminal history record from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation as well as a national criminal history record check as defined in Section 150.9 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Upon receipt of the Oklahoma criminal history record, the Board may issue a temporary certificate which shall be effective until receipt of the national fingerprint-based criminal history record. The person applying for a certificate shall be responsible for the cost of the criminal history records.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6-195 of this title, teachers issued a certificate pursuant to this section shall not be subject to the requirements of the residency program, but shall participate in the mentoring program provided by the alternative teacher certification organization as set forth in subsection C of this section. Upon successful completion of such mentoring program, the teacher shall be issued a certificate to teach by the State Board of Education after completion of the application and payment of the certification fee as prescribed by the State Board of Education.

C. For purposes of this section, the State Board of Education shall identify an alternative teacher certification organization that was founded with grant funding from the United States Department of Education and that developed the Passport to Teaching program, which is a certification program designed for professionals who want to change careers and become teachers. The program shall require candidates to hold a bachelor's degree, pass a professional teaching knowledge exam, pass a subject area exam, and pass a background check. The organization shall provide candidates with access to workshops, an experienced teacher-advisor, and optional access to comprehensive subject matter refresher courses. The organization shall also provide an intensive mentoring and induction program.

D. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this section.

Added by Laws 2009, c. 89, § 2. Amended by Laws 2014, c. 124, § 8, eff. July 1, 2014.