Section R7-2-619. Renewal Requirements

A.      A certificate may be renewed within six months of its expira- tion date except that an individual holding multiple valid cer- tificates may renew all certificates at one time in order to align the expiration dates of each certificate. Certificates being aligned shall be renewed at the same time as the certificate that will expire first. Individuals seeking to align certificates shall meet the renewal requirements for each certificate being aligned. Certificates aligned pursuant to this Section may be valid for less than six years.

B.       A certificate may be renewed within one year after it expires. Individuals whose certificates have been expired for more than

one year shall reapply for certification under the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication. Nothing in this Section shall imply that an individual may be employed in a position that requires certification after the expiration of the relevant certificate. Professional development must relate to Arizona academic or professional educator standards or apply toward the attainment of an additional Arizona certificate, endorse- ment, or approved area.

C.      Renewal of certificates requires the completion of professional development after the most recent issuance or renewal of the certificate. Professional development shall consist of any of the following activities:

1.        Courses related to education or a subject area taught in Arizona schools, taken from an accredited institution. Each semester hour of courses shall be equivalent to 15 clock hours of professional development. The required documentation shall be an official transcript.

2.        Professional activities such as conferences and work- shops related to the profession of teaching or the field of public education. A maximum of 30 clock hours per year may be earned by attendance at professional conferences and workshops. The required documentation shall be a conference agenda and a statement or certificate from the sponsoring organization noting the clock hours earned.

3.        District-sponsored or school-sponsored in-services or activities which are specifically designed for professional development. The required documentation shall be writ- ten verification from the sponsoring district or school stating the dates of participation and the number of clock hours earned.

4.        Internships in business settings. The internship shall be based on an agreement between a business and a district or school with the stated objective of aligning teaching curriculum with workplace skills. A maximum of 80 clock hours may be earned through business internships. The required documentation shall be written verification by the sponsoring business and district or school stating the dates of participation and number of clock hours earned.

5.        Educational research. The research shall be sponsored by a research facility or an accredited institution or funded by a grant. The required documentation shall be the pub- lished report of the research or verification by the spon- soring agency; and a statement of the dates of participation and the number of clock hours earned.

6.        Serving in a leadership role of a professional organization that provides training, activities, or projects related to the profession of teaching or the field of public education. A maximum of 30 clock hours per year may be earned by serving in a leadership role of a professional organization. The required documentation shall be written verification by the governing body of the professional organization of the dates of service and clock hours earned.

7.        Serving on a visitation team for a school accreditation agency. A maximum of 60 clock hours per year may be earned by serving on a visitation team. The required doc- umentation shall be written verification from the accredi- tation agency of the dates of service and clock hours earned.

8.        Completion of the process for certification by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. The required documentation shall be written verification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards and a statement from the employing district or school ver- ifying the dates and the clock hours earned during the cer- tification process.

D.      An individual holding a Standard teaching certificate, an administrative certificate, or other professional certificate, may renew the certificate upon completion of 180 clock hours of professional development.

E.       An individual who is employed by a school or school district at the time of renewal shall submit the required documentation of professional development to the district superintendent, director of personnel, or other designated administrator for verification. A certified individual who is not employed by a school or school district at the time of renewal shall submit the required documentation of professional development to a county school superintendent, the dean of a college of educa- tion, or the Department for verification. The school or district official, county school superintendent, or the dean of a college of education shall verify on forms provided by the Department the number of hours of professional development completed by the individual during the valid period of the certificate being renewed.

F.       The Department shall issue a Standard teaching certificate of the same type.

Historical Note

New Section made by exempt rulemaking at 8 A.A.R. 2396, effective May 10, 2002 (Supp. 02-2). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 15 A.A.R. 1225, effective Decem- ber 5, 2006 (Supp. 09-1). Former R7-2-619 recodified to R7-2-620; new R7-2-619 recodified from R7-2-618 at 15

A.A.R. 2146, effective August 25, 2008 (Supp. 09-4).

Former R7-2-619 recodified to R7-2-620; new R7-2-619 recodified from R7-2-618 at 16 A.A.R. 68, effective December 8, 2008 (Supp. 10-1). Amended by exempt

rulemaking at 16 A.A.R. 242, effective December 7, 2009 (Supp. 10-1). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 16

A.A.R. 1249, effective May 24, 2010 (Supp. 10-4).