2026 -- H 7614

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LC003873

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

     Introduced By: Representatives O'Brien, McNamara, Solomon, Furtado, Messier,
Kazarian, Slater, Giraldo, Voas, and Casey

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2026

     Referred To: House Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 16-11-2.3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-11 entitled

"Certification of Teachers [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     16-11-2.3. Standardized testing — Issuance of certificates.

     (a) No person who obtained an initial certificate prior to January 8, 2002 shall be barred

from certification under this chapter solely because of his or her score on any standardized teacher’s

examination; provided, however, that he or she successfully completes an assessment, based on

criteria established by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, in accordance

with 34 CFR § 200.56.

     (b) The board of regents for elementary and secondary education may administer a written

examination to prospective teachers seeking certification.

     (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, until July 1,

2028, the requirement of completion of a standardized teacher's examination as a prerequisite to

obtaining a teaching certificate under this chapter shall be suspended. No applicant for a teaching

certification under this chapter shall be required to take any standardized teacher's examination or

assessment designated by the board of elementary and secondary education or the department of

elementary and secondary education prior to July 1, 2028. Provided, however, this subsection shall

not apply to any testing that is required as part of an accredited post-secondary teacher preparation

program.

     SECTION 2. Section 16-11-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-11 entitled "Certification

of Teachers [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby

amended to read as follows:

     16-11-3. Certificates without examination.

     (a) The board of regents for elementary and secondary education may, in its discretion,

issue certificates of qualification without examination to persons who may present evidence of

qualification and shall comply with the regulations of the board. Provided, that any teacher who is

certified in two (2) fields or subjects of science, other than general science, shall also be

automatically certified in the field or subject of general science without the need for examination

or other proof of qualifications in the subject of general science.

     (b) Until July 1, 2028, the requirement of completion of a standardized teacher's

examination as a prerequisite to obtaining a teaching certificate under this chapter shall be

suspended. No applicant for a teaching certification under this chapter shall be required to take any

standardized teacher's examination or assessment designated by the board of elementary and

secondary education or the department of elementary and secondary education prior to July 1, 2028.

Provided, however, this subsection shall not apply to any testing that is required as part of an

accredited post-secondary teacher preparation program.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

***

     This act would provide that until July 1, 2028, an applicant for a teaching certificate in

Rhode Island would not be required to complete a standardized teacher's examination as a

prerequisite to obtaining a teaching certificate.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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