Senator introduces bill to grant lifetime teaching certificates after 25 years of service

Senator Lori Den Hartog, R–District 22, told the Senate Education Committee that Senate Bill 1092 would allow teachers and administrators who have accumulated at least 25 years of service to receive a lifetime certificate and be exempt from periodic continuing-education recertification tied to their certificate. "The idea is to honor our teachers and administrators who have been in the profession," Den Hartog said. "We put it at 25 years to honor them by saying you don't have to come back."

The bill directs the State Board of Education to establish rules that would define how combined years of teaching and administration count, how "experience" is defined, and whether certificated or credentialed terminology should be used. Den Hartog told the committee she and governor's staff worked through whether the proposal belonged in statute or rule and left technical definitions to the board. She emphasized the measure would not require local school boards or districts to hire someone who holds the lifetime certificate. "This doesn't mean that any particular school or school board would have to hire a teacher or administrator that would receive a lifetime certificate," she said.

Testimony in support came from Andy Grover, executive director of the Idaho Association of School Administrators, who said members across regions strongly back the concept as a tool to retain experienced educators and called it "a pretty simple way" to reward long service. Grover said the measure "costs us nothing" in direct state expenditures and noted continuing local hiring authority: if a district requires professional development for employees under contract, that requirement would remain.

Committee members asked whether the State Board should define experience (classroom vs. other education roles) and whether administrative years could combine with teaching years toward the 25-year threshold. Den Hartog said the bill's rulemaking provision is intended to let the State Board set those specifics, including whether time spent in higher education, at the Department of Education, or in administrative positions would count. The bill also specifies that a lifetime certificate could be revoked for future professional misconduct.

After questions and public testimony, the committee voted to send Senate Bill 1092 to the fourteenth order for possible amendments.