This amendment creates a faster way for teachers who already hold out-of-state certifications to get an Alabama teaching license specifically for career and technical education classes.
Alabama2026Enacted
HB520
Faster Teaching Certification for Out-of-State Career and Technical Educators
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 9:06 AM
In one sentence
This law creates a faster way for teachers from other states to get certified in Alabama if they want to teach career and technical education courses.
What it does
- Requires the State Board of Education to create an expedited certification process for out-of-state CTE teachers who have previously taught similar courses elsewhere.
- Sets rules that applicants must hold a valid teaching certificate from another state, be recommended by a local superintendent, and pass a criminal background check.
- Allows these certified teachers to receive their Alabama certificate without needing extra testing or coursework.
- Permits local school boards to offer money incentives for out-of-state CTE teachers who move to Alabama if funds are available.
- Requires the State Superintendent of Education to send an annual report on how many certificates were issued, where those teachers work, and how well the program is working.
Who it affects
- Teachers from other states who want to teach career and technical education in Alabama public high schools
- The Alabama State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Education
- Local school boards that may choose to offer hiring incentives
Limits and unknowns
- Teachers certified under this law can only teach CTE courses and cannot teach other subjects.
- Local school boards may offer money incentives, but they are not required to do so if funds are unavailable.
- The exact rules for how the process works will be decided later by the State Board of Education.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Career and Technical Education (CTE)
- Courses that teach students specific job skills.
- Expedited certification pathway
- A faster process to get a teaching license without needing extra testing or coursework.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
This act adds Section 16-23-3.2 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) require the State Board of Education to establish an expedited certification process for qualified out-of-state teachers to teach career and technical education (CTE) courses in the state; (2) establish requirements to be issued an expedited CTE teaching certificate from the State Superintendent, including possessing a valid teaching certificate, being recommended by a local superintendent, and passing a criminal background check; (3) authorize local boards of education to provide incentives for these teachers; and (4) require the State Superintendent to annually report on certificates issued pursuant to this act to the Governor and Legislature.
Official activity
Bill history
- EnactedHouse
- Delivered to GovernorHouse
- Signature RequestedSenate
- EnrolledHouse
- Ready to EnrollHouse
- Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1268 (Yeas 29, Nays 0)Senate
- Third Reading in Second HouseSenate
- Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarSenate
- Reported Out of Committee Second HouseSenate
- Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 750 (Yeas 102, Nays 0)House
- Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 749 (Yeas 105, Nays 0)House
- Third Reading in House of Origin (Yeas 102, Nays 0)House
- Pending Committee Action in Second HouseSenate
- Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education PolicySenate
- EngrossedHouse
- Ways and Means Education Engrossed Substitute OfferedHouse
- Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarHouse
- Reported Out of Committee House of OriginHouse
- Pending Committee Action in House of OriginHouse
- Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means EducationHouse
Changes
Amendments
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