Senate committee hears bill to recognize JROTC provisional credentials for Nevada teacher licensure

Carson City — The Nevada Senate Committee on Education on Tuesday heard testimony on Senate Bill 175, a proposal to allow members and veterans certified as Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) instructors to obtain Nevada teaching licenses for JROTC positions on terms similar to the state’s alternative route to licensure.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Lori Rogich (Senate District 11), would permit applicants who hold JROTC instructor certification from their military branch — including provisional or temporary certifications issued by that branch — to be treated “as if such person has completed the alternative route to licensure program” for purposes of receiving a Nevada JROTC license. Rogich said the proposal is intended to reduce administrative barriers and help fill instructor vacancies in Nevada schools.

Supporters said the measure would speed veteran transitions into school jobs and address a persistent instructor shortage in JROTC programs. Retired Senior Master Sergeant Santiago “Bobby” Padilla, who testified in Las Vegas, said he received a provisional Air Force JROTC certification in June 2024 but was denied state licensure on Sept. 17, 2024. “Although the document from the Air Force confirms eligibility for employment, it does not confirm full certification as a Junior ROTC instructor,” Padilla read from the department’s response. He said several other states accept the branch provisional certification and that Nevada’s policy blocks qualified instructors from being hired while they await federal background checks.

Lieutenant Colonel Scott Caldwell, director of JROTC for the Washoe County School District, told the committee that the problem often turns on wording in letters from different services — such as “provisional,” “prequalified” or “approved certification” — and that Nevada’s Department of Education (NDE) has refused repeated requests to accept the Air Force’s provisional wording. Caldwell said districts sometimes use long-term substitute arrangements while awaiting federal background checks but noted that if provisional state licensure is not permitted some instructors will take jobs in other states.

Several legislators and witnesses urged refinement to the bill’s language. Vice Chair Senator Pat Spearman Dondero Loop and others raised concern about Section 1, subsection 3, which says the person “may obtain a license as if such person has completed the alternative route to licensure program.” Committee members asked whether that phrasing could be read to permit licensed JROTC instructors to teach other subjects without separate certification. Senator Cruz Crawford and others said the intent is to limit any license to JROTC/military studies only and not to provide a general K–12 teaching license for unrelated subjects.

Rogich and supporters said they will consult the Nevada Department of Education and consider a conceptual amendment to clarify that the license applies only to JROTC/military studies certification and to prevent unintentional extension into unrelated subject licensure. Several witnesses, including representatives of the Nevada Association of School Superintendents and United Veterans Legislative Council, testified in support.

A fiscal note attached to the bill estimates $25,000 for the Nevada Department of Education to modify licensing software to accept and process the designated certifications. Supporters told the committee they view that as a modest cost to reduce hiring delays.

No committee vote was taken at the hearing. Committee members directed follow-up conversation with NDE staff; Rogich said she would work with members to attempt an administrative fix and, if necessary, pursue a statutory amendment to prevent inconsistent future interpretations.

Background and context: witnesses described a multi-step hiring and certification process for JROTC instructors. Branchs issue provisional authorization letters and the hiring district typically requests a federal background check (a process some witnesses said can take months). School districts may place incoming instructors on long-term substitute appointments during that interval; proponents said accepting branch provisional certification for a state provisional JROTC license would allow instructors to be paid and to begin supervised classroom duties while they complete any outstanding service training requirements.

The committee hearing record includes multiple supportive public comments from veteran and education organizations and several legislators. Opposing testimony was not recorded. The committee recessed without taking final action on SB 175; sponsors said they will continue to work with NDE on technical language and implementation details.

Sources and attribution: direct quotes and details above are drawn from testimony by Senator Lori Rogich (sponsor), Ivy Meyer (presenter), Ret. Senior Master Sergeant Santiago “Bobby” Padilla (veteran/testifier), Lieutenant Colonel Scott Caldwell (Washoe County JROTC director), Assemblyman Ken Gray (support), Senator Dondero Loop and Senator Cruz Crawford (questions).