Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Licensure Technical Amendments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves publishing temporary-license amendments to help specialists and administrators meet special-education coursework requirements
Summary
The board granted permission to publish three COMAR amendments to let LEAs issue a two-year temporary professional license when an applicant meets all requirements except three semester hours of special-education coursework. The board approved publishing 13A.12.0104, 13A.12.0402 and 13A.12.0502.
The Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board voted Feb. 6 to grant permission to publish three proposed COMAR amendments intended to reduce hiring barriers for specialists and administrators who lack a required three-semester-hour special-education course but otherwise meet licensure requirements.
MSDE staff explained the amendments modify definitions and chapter language so that the existing “temporary professional license” (a nonrenewable, two-year credential) can be issued to specialists and administrators in limited circumstances where an applicant is employed and missing only the three semester hours of special-education coursework required at initial licensure. The change mirrors how the temporary professional license has long been used for teachers and aims to prevent hiring disruptions while candidates complete the coursework.
The proposed amendments also clarify that an educator who advances to a professional or advanced professional license retains all endorsements on the new credential (addressing prior confusion where multiple endorsements produced mismatched renewal dates). Amendments were drafted for three COMAR sections: 13A.12.0104 (issuance and types of licenses), 13A.12.0402 (specialist licenses) and 13A.12.0502 (administrator and supervisor licenses).
After staff presentation board member Deb (last name not specified) moved to grant permission to publish the three items; the motion passed on roll call with all members voting in favor. MSDE said the temporary professional license will be valid for two years and is nonrenewable; once the missing coursework is completed the applicant may apply for advancement.
MSDE staff noted the amendments were designed to reduce hiring barriers in areas with recruitment difficulties (for example, social workers and some specialist roles) and to clean up regulatory language about endorsement carryover. The board directed MSDE to publish the amendments in the Maryland Register for public comment.
