Bill
Bill > H7419
RI H7419
RI H7419Extends teacher certifications without fee or penalty for three (3) or five (5) years for teachers who hold certifications as of July 1, 2026.
summary
Introduced
01/30/2026
01/30/2026
In Committee
01/30/2026
01/30/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This act would extend teacher certifications without fee or penalty for three (3) or five (5) years for teachers who hold certifications as of July 1, 2026. This act would permit a teacher who has three (3) years of certified teaching experience, to acquire an additional certification through examination or content coursework. This act would also direct the department of elementary and secondary education to revise its regulations pertaining to certification to create multiple pathways to obtain teacher and administrator certification. This act would take effect upon passage.
AI Summary
This bill extends teacher certifications automatically for either three or five years without any fees or penalties for teachers who hold valid certifications as of July 1, 2026, and also waives all fees for initial teacher certification applications and Praxis exam fees for a three-year period starting July 1, 2026, to encourage teacher recruitment. Additionally, teachers with at least three years of certified teaching experience will be able to obtain additional certifications through exams or coursework, and the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) is directed to revise its regulations to create more flexible pathways for obtaining both teacher and administrator certifications, potentially allowing credit for non-traditional learning, work experience, or demonstrating competency through testing. This act will become effective immediately upon its passage.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Committee recommended measure be held for further study (on 02/10/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://status.rilegislature.gov/ |
| BillText | https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText26/HouseText26/H7419.pdf |
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