Signed by Governor Kay Ivey

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the Board of Education to distribute temporary teaching certificates to veterans in Alabama.

Highlights:

• Establishes a Military Veteran Temporary Teaching Certificate for veterans who meet teaching requirements for k-12 which otherwise requires a bachelor’s degree (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the department to issue this certificate to those who (Sec. 1):

• Document 48 months of active duty with an honorable discharge or medical separation; 

• Submit the required application forms and fees and completes a criminal history background check; 

• Are recommended for certification by a local superintendent of education or private k-12; and

• Verify compliance with all admission criteria, including completion of 60 college credits with a GPA of 2.5 on the 4.0 scale, a passing score for the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP), and other administrative criteria. 

• Establishes a mentorship for the approved veteran for a minimum of two years after employment (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a temporary certificate that is valid for five school years but is non-renewable, and provides steps for the veteran to obtain a professional certificate (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits time served as a teacher to count for continued [military] service status (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits the issuance of an emergency certificate for those who have a temporary certificate (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the bill to become effective on October 1, 2026 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the Board of Education to distribute temporary teaching certificates to veterans in Alabama.

Highlights:

• Establishes a Military Veteran Temporary Teaching Certificate for veterans who meet teaching requirements for k-12 which otherwise requires a bachelor’s degree (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the department to issue this certificate to those who (Sec. 1):

• Document 48 months of active duty with an honorable discharge or medical separation; 

• Submit the required application forms and fees and completes a criminal history background check; 

• Are recommended for certification by a local superintendent of education or private k-12; and

• Verify compliance with all admission criteria, including completion of 60 college credits with a GPA of 2.5 on the 4.0 scale, a passing score for the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP), and other administrative criteria. 

• Establishes a mentorship for the approved veteran for a minimum of two years after employment (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a temporary certificate that is valid for five school years but is non-renewable, and provides steps for the veteran to obtain a professional certificate (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits time served as a teacher to count for continued [military] service status (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits the issuance of an emergency certificate for those who have a temporary certificate (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the bill to become effective on October 1, 2026 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text