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Senate hearing hears bill to tighten alternative certification for CTE instructors
Summary
Representative Rick Ladd and industry supporters told the Senate Education Committee that House Bill 354 would require professional paid experience and department‑approved credentials for alternative certification of career and technical education instructors.
Representative Rick Ladd, sponsor of House Bill 354, told the Senate Education Committee that the bill would put into statute the alternative certification pathway that the Department of Education and the State Board already manage by rule.
"A candidate for a career and technical education CTE specialty area license may substitute the following in lieu of a nationally recognized test of academic proficiency..." Ladd said, describing language that would require "three years of professional paid full time experience in the area for which the license is sought" and "a current industry‑recognized credential approved by the department in a published list of acceptable credentials." Ladd said the change is intended to ensure the substitute experience is professional and paid, not simply any full‑time work.
The bill drew support from Dan Bennett, president of the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association, who described the measure as a "talent acquisition bill" for CTE programs that need instructors with hands‑on, industry‑current experience. "It gives them credit for that," Bennett said.
Ladd and witnesses said the proposal reflects existing administrative rule language but moves and strengthens those criteria into statute, and gives the Department of Education authority to identify acceptable industry credentials. Ladd cited RSA 21:9 and the administrative rule framework that delegates licensure standards and rulemaking authority to the department and board.
Supporters stressed the need for instructors who are current with industry practices and credentials — Ladd used automotive technician certification as an example of the level of skill lawmakers want recognized for classroom instructors. No opponents appeared during the hearing and no committee amendments were discussed in the Senate session.
The committee chair closed the HB 354 hearing with no further testimony.
Ending: The Senate Education Committee moved on to other items; the hearing record shows HB 354 was introduced and supported in the committee hearing but contains no final Senate action recorded in the transcript.
