Maine Revised Statutes
Chapter 502: CREDENTIALING OF EDUCATIONAL PERSONNEL
20-A §13013. Professional teacher certificate

§13013. Professional teacher certificate
1. Definition. A professional teacher certificate is a renewable certificate issued to an individual who has met the qualifications of this section.
[PL 2017, c. 235, §12 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]
2. Qualifications.
[PL 1991, c. 682, §3 (RP).]
2-A. Qualifications.
[PL 2017, c. 235, §12 (RP); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]
2-B. Qualifications. State board rules governing the qualifications for a professional teacher certificate must require that the certificate may be issued only to an applicant who, at a minimum, meets one of the following criteria:
A. Has graduated from an educator preparation program; [PL 2021, c. 228, §3 (RPR).]
B. Has met the criteria established by the state board by:
(1) Passing a qualifying examination;
(2) Meeting grade point average requirements in required course work; or
(3) Successful completion of a portfolio review demonstrating competency through academic or work experience; [PL 2021, c. 228, §3 (RPR).]
C. Has successfully completed a preparation program in another state, the District of Columbia, a United States territory or another country, subject to the completion of an approved preparation program for the endorsement or certificate being sought with a formal recommendation for certification from the institution that provided the program; or [PL 2021, c. 228, §3 (RPR).]
D. Is otherwise qualified by having met the criteria established by the state board for teaching in a specified content area. [PL 2021, c. 228, §3 (RPR).]
[PL 2021, c. 228, §3 (RPR).]
3. Endorsements. A professional teacher certificate must be issued with an endorsement that specifies the grades and subject area that the teacher is determined qualified to teach. A holder of a professional teacher certificate may not teach outside the certificate holder's area of endorsement unless the certificate holder has received a waiver from the commissioner in accordance with state board rules.
[PL 2019, c. 584, §2 (AMD).]
4. Five-year certificate. A professional teacher certificate is issued for a 5-year period.
[PL 2017, c. 235, §12 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]
5. Renewal. A professional teacher certificate may be renewed for 5-year periods in accordance with state board rules, which must require, at a minimum, that the teacher, whether employed or unemployed, complete at least 6 semester hours of professional or academic study or in-service training designed to improve the performance of the teacher in the field. If the teacher has attained certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the renewal period is for 10 years. If a rule adopted pursuant to section 13006‑A amends the endorsement specifications for grades or subject areas for a teacher's professional teacher certificate, the teacher may renew the teacher's professional teacher certificate with the same grades and subject areas endorsements as were issued with the active professional teacher certificate that is held by the teacher at the time of the amendment.
[PL 2019, c. 584, §3 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1983, c. 845, §4 (NEW). PL 1991, c. 682, §§2-4 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 435, §5 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 320, §§3,4 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 266, §§16,17 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 75, §6 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 534, §4 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 235, §12 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF). PL 2017, c. 381, §15 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 518, §2 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 584, §§2, 3 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 228, §3 (AMD).