§ 70-6-190. Qualifications for teacher employment, licensure and certification.

A.  The board of education of each school district shall employ and contract in writing, as required in Section 6-101 of this title, only with persons certified or licensed to teach by the State Board of Education in accordance with the Oklahoma Teacher Preparation Act, except as otherwise provided for by Section 6-101 of this title and by other law.

B.  The Board shall issue a license to teach to any person who:

1.  Has successfully completed the teacher education program required by the State Board of Education prior to July 1, 1997, and the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation beginning July 1, 1997;

2.  Has graduated from an accredited institution of higher education that has approval or accreditation for teacher education;

3.  Has met all other requirements as may be established by the Board;

4.  Has made the necessary application and paid the competency examination fee in an amount and as prescribed by the Commission;

5.  Has successfully completed the competency examination required in Section 6-187 of this title; and

6.  Beginning November 1, 2001, has on file with the Board a current Oklahoma criminal history record from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation as well as a national criminal history record check as defined in Section 150.9 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.  Upon receipt of the Oklahoma criminal history record, the Board may issue a temporary license which shall be effective until receipt of the national fingerprint-based criminal history record.  The person applying for a license shall be responsible for the cost of the criminal history records.

C.  The Board shall issue a certificate to teach to any person who:

1.a.holds a license to teach in accordance with the Oklahoma Teacher Preparation Act,

b.has served a minimum of one (1) school year as a resident teacher,

c.has made the necessary application and paid the certification fee as prescribed by the Board, and

d.has been recommended for certification by the residency committee;

2.  Holds an out-of-state certificate and meets standards set by the Board; or

3.  Holds certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

D.  Beginning July 1, 2004, any person applying for initial Oklahoma certification who has not applied for and received an Oklahoma teacher license shall have on file with the Board a current Oklahoma criminal history record from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation as well as a national criminal history record check as defined in Section 150.9 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.  Upon receipt of the Oklahoma criminal history record, the Board may issue a temporary certificate which shall be effective until receipt of the national fingerprint-based criminal history record.  The person applying for a certificate shall be responsible for the cost of the criminal history records.

E.  If a resident teacher is a graduate of an out-of-state institution of higher education, the recommendation of the residency committee shall be made to the State Board of Education.

F.  Any person holding a valid certificate, issued prior to January 1, 1997, shall be a certified teacher for purposes of the Oklahoma Teacher Preparation Act, subject to any professional development requirements prescribed by the Oklahoma Teacher Preparation Act or by the State Board of Education.

Added by Laws 1995, c. 322, § 11, eff. July 1, 1995.  Amended by Laws 1997, c. 344, § 5, emerg. eff. June 9, 1997; Laws 2001, c. 34, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2001; Laws 2001, c. 425, § 3, emerg. eff. June 5, 2001; Laws 2002, c. 236, § 3, eff. July 1, 2002; Laws 2003, c. 204, § 10, eff. Nov. 1, 2003; Laws 2004, c. 438, § 1, eff. July 1, 2004; Laws 2005, c. 185, § 4, emerg. eff. May 17, 2005.