Virginia HB 1023: Part-time or adjunct instructor in public schools; locally awarded subject matter expert credential.

Bill Text

2027 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26102241D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1023

Offered January 14, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-298.1, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia, relating to part-time or adjunct instructors in public schools; locally awarded subject matter expert credentials; career and technical education subjects or courses.

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Patrons—Walker and Davis

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Referred to Committee on Education

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 22.1-298.1, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 22.1-298.1. (Effective until July 1, 2030) Regulations governing licensure.

A. As used in this section:

"Alternate route to licensure" means a nontraditional route to teacher licensure available to individuals who meet the criteria specified in the guidelines developed pursuant to subsection P or regulations issued by the Board.

"Industry certification credential" means an active career and technical education credential that is earned by successfully completing a Board-approved industry certification examination, being issued a professional license in the Commonwealth, or successfully completing an occupational competency examination.

"Licensure by reciprocity" means the issuance of a license as a teacher in the Commonwealth to an individual coming into the Commonwealth from another state when that individual meets certain conditions specified in the Board's regulations.

"Local eligibility license" means a nonrenewable license issued in accordance with subsection N, not to exceed one year, to an individual who needs to take additional coursework but otherwise meets certain conditions for licensure set forth in the Board's regulations and subsection N, and who may be employed by a school division in the Commonwealth with the intention of such individual, upon satisfaction of the applicable requirements set forth in Board regulations, receiving full licensure with a renewable license.

"Locally awarded subject matter expert credential" means a nontransferable credential issued in accordance with subsection Q in order to expand opportunities for individuals with relevant work or industry experience or expertise in a content or subject matter area to provide instruction in public schools as a part-time or adjunct instructor in one career and technical education course per semester.

"Professional teacher's assessment" means those tests mandated for licensure as prescribed by the Board.

"Provisional license" means a nonrenewable license issued by the Board or by a division superintendent as permitted pursuant to subdivision D 5 for a specified period of time, not to exceed three years, to an individual who may be employed by a school division in the Commonwealth and who generally meets the requirements specified in the Board's regulations for licensure, but who may need to take additional coursework, pass additional assessments, or meet alternative evaluation standards to be fully licensed with a renewable license.

"Renewable license" means a license issued by the Board for 10 years to an individual who meets the requirements specified in the Board's regulations.

"Universal licensure by reciprocity" means the issuance of a license as a teacher in the Commonwealth to any individual who holds a valid out-of-state teaching license with full credentials and without deficiencies that has been in force and in use by the individual as an employed teacher in a non-virtual classroom setting at a public or private elementary or secondary school for at least three years prior to and is in force at the time the Department receives such individual's application for a license as a teacher in the Commonwealth.

B. The Board shall prescribe, by regulation, the requirements for the licensure of teachers and other school personnel required to hold a license. Such regulations shall include procedures for (i) the denial, suspension, cancellation, revocation, and reinstatement of licensure; (ii) written reprimand of license holders on grounds established by the Board, in accordance with law, notice of which shall be made by the Superintendent to division superintendents or their designated representatives; and (iii) the immediate and thorough investigation by the division superintendent or his designee of any complaint alleging that a license holder has engaged in conduct that may form the basis for the revocation of his license. At a minimum, such procedures for investigations contained in such regulations shall require (a) the division superintendent to petition for the revocation of the license upon completing such investigation and finding that there is reasonable cause to believe that the license holder has engaged in conduct that forms the basis for revocation of a license; (b) the school board to proceed to a hearing on such petition for revocation within 90 days