Committee advances bill to standardize alternate teacher certification routes and simplify re-certification

House Bill 759, presented by Representative J.T. Payne, would standardize content-mastery entry points across Kentucky’s alternate teacher-certification routes (all requiring a minimum bachelor’s degree), retain required assessments (such as Praxis) before final certification, allow experienced teachers with an appropriate major to add additional content-area certifications, and require the Education Professional Standards Board to post degree-to-certification mappings publicly.

Payne said the bill cleans up inconsistencies among routes, removes an outdated option that is rarely used, and clarifies the documentation EPSB must collect to confirm statutory certification requirements. Senators asked whether the bill would expedite certification for teachers placed in special-education settings; Payne said it could help when an educator’s degree aligns with the content area but does not remove statutory assessment requirements.

The committee voted unanimously to report HB 759 and placed the bill on consent.