Nevada education commission adopts new competency exams, advances several regulation updates to public workshop

The Nevada Commission on Professional Standards on May 1 approved replacement educator competency exams and advanced several regulation updates to public workshop, including revisions to school psychology regulations, endorsement removal and update rules, reporting requirements for teaching out of field, an adaptive physical education pathway, and an additional alternative route-to-licensure pathway to allow quicker endorsement changes for employers.

The action comes as the Nevada Department of Education continues a broader review of licensure and educator preparation regulations after the recent legislative session. Jeff Briskie, director of educator licensure, development and family engagement and secretary to the commission, told members the department will bring a fuller legislative wrap-up at the commission's August meeting.

Commissioners unanimously approved a set of replacement competency exams that Educational Testing Service updated during its multistate review cycle. Briskie said the department recommends adopting the new exam titles, which include replacements or restructured versions for family and consumer sciences; secondary and middle school social studies; a parapro assessment split into a reading/writing subtest and a math subtest; and a new early childhood foundational knowledge and content exam that replaces the former “education of young children” exam. Briskie said the department generally provides a one-year overlap so candidates who have already registered for older versions can complete them.

On regulations, the commission agreed to move multiple items to a public workshop rather than vote on final language at the meeting. Doctor Jackie Nygaard, an educational programs professional at the Department of Education, reported that a work group spent several months rewriting Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) chapter 3.91 (sections 3.315–3.319) for school psychologists. Nygaard said the rewrite collapses four regulations into NAC 3.91.315, removes sections the group judged redundant, and aligns credentialing language with contemporary practice. The commission agreed to send the draft to a public workshop for further review.

Christy Miguel (identified in the transcript as the “identity superintendent”) said Nevada Medicaid recently approved a state plan amendment to allow school psychologists to bill Medicaid for services such as identification and stabilization. Miguel noted the department will coordinate with Medicaid to ensure licensure language matches billing requirements.

The commission also moved to workshop draft language that the department said is duplicative of newer statutory language on exceptions to teach out of field. Jeff Briskie told commissioners the department conferred with the attorney general's office and concluded the cited NAC provisions duplicate more recent Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS 385A.220–.230) and can be repealed; the item will go to workshop for public comment.

On endorsements, the department proposed a new regulation to allow removal of endorsements from licenses that no longer exist, renaming of endorsements when appropriate, and transition periods when additional coursework is required to maintain an endorsement. Jennifer Brissett of the department described sample language that would allow provisional issuance while teachers complete required coursework, using a computer-based applications endorsement example.

John Riske, speaking for the department, presented a proposed additional pathway to the adaptive physical education endorsement so that educators who already hold a physical education or special education license could meet adaptive PE requirements without repeating full degree pathways. The commission moved that draft to workshop.

The commission discussed a regulatory change to streamline stacked alternative-route-to-licensure (ARL) licenses. Briskie summarized amendments negotiated with bill sponsors that would let an educator issued an ARL acceptance letter apply for an additional endorsement for $70, avoid a new background check, and remain in the new classroom assignment while the application is processed. Briskie said the regulation would also encourage district reimbursement for fees when assignment changes are employer-driven. Commissioner Morgan said the change addresses recurring cases where ARL candidates shift assignments and helps avoid gaps in classroom staffing.

Procedural business: commissioners approved the Feb. 19 minutes by motion and voice vote, and the commission opened two public-comment periods; no speakers or written comments were recorded. Vice President Collier presided; President Rosar and 11 commissioners were present at roll call. The commission welcomed new appointee Christina Hollowood, a Clark County School District special education teacher, and acknowledged outgoing commissioners Meredith Freeman, Joseph Morgan and Jordan Wenger for their service.

Votes at a glance — key actions recorded in the meeting: - Approval of Feb. 19, 2025 minutes: motion to approve made by President Rosar; seconded by Commissioner Hawkins; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Adoption of replacement competency exams: motion moved by Commissioner Morgan; seconded by Commissioner Belknap; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Move school psychology regulation revisions (NAC 3.91.315–.319) to public workshop: departmental presentation by Dr. Jackie Nygaard; outcome: advanced to public workshop for further public comment and revision. - Move repeal/adjustment of NAC provisions on out-of-field teaching (NAC 391.146–.158) to public workshop: departmental presentation by Jeff Briskie; outcome: advanced to public workshop. - Move proposed new regulation on endorsement removal/name changes/transition periods to public workshop: presentation by Jennifer Brissett; outcome: advanced to public workshop. - Move proposed adaptive physical education endorsement pathway to public workshop: presentation by John Riske; outcome: advanced to public workshop. - Move proposed additional ARL endorsement pathway to streamline employer-driven endorsement changes to public workshop: presentation by Jeff Briskie; outcome: advanced to public workshop.

What the commission did not decide: the meeting did not adopt final regulatory language for the school psychology updates, endorsement changes, out-of-field reporting, adaptive PE, or ARL pathway; each item was scheduled for a public workshop. No final votes were recorded on those regulatory texts at this meeting.

Commissioners and staff said the department will return with workshop dates and any statutory or Medicaid-related alignment details needed to ensure licensure language supports Medicaid billing where appropriate.

The commission adjourned at 10:08 a.m.; its next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 20, 2025.