For purposes of this interstate agreement, the following terms are defined as:
(1) “Accredited institution” means a college or university which awards a baccalaureate or higher degree and, if located within the United States, is fully accredited by one (1) of the following regional accrediting bodies: (a) Middle states association of colleges and schools;
(2) “Administrator” means an educator whose primary duties may include: The supervision of programs or curriculum; or
(3) Supervision or management of a local educational agency, a school building, a school program or a school system.
(4) “Approved program” means a planned program of study leading to licensure in the appropriate member jurisdiction. Approved programs may be either traditional or nontraditional. A nontraditional program is a post-baccalaureate program in which the candidate may be employed as an educator prior to completion of the program, as defined by the United States department of education (USDOE).
(5) “Educator” is categorized as a teacher, administrator or support professional who may be required by the member jurisdiction to hold a license. A member jurisdiction may recognize additional categories of licensure (e.g., career and technical educators) not addressed by this interstate agreement.
(6) “Experience” means employment and licensure as required by the member jurisdiction.
(7) “Jurisdiction-specific requirement” (JSR) means any criterion beyond the minimum essential components required by a member jurisdiction for licensure. The following is a noninclusive list of JSRs: Grade-point average;
(8) Testing or other forms of assessment;
(9) Mentoring;
(10) Supervised and evaluated pre-service or professional experience;
(11) Course delivery methodology;
(12) Program approval comparability;
(13) Specific coursework;
(14) Valid license, as defined by the receiving member jurisdiction;
(15) Post-baccalaureate coursework or degrees;
(16) Continuing professional development;
(17) Moral fitness or character; or
(18) Citizenship.
(19) “Stages of administrator license” are described below and are general categories of licensure. Member jurisdictions may or may not offer these stages of licensure or require licensure to be eligible for certain school administrator work assignments. “Stage 1 administrator license” means a license issued to an individual who holds a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, has met approved school administrator preparation program admission requirements, but has not met the jurisdiction-specific requirements of the issuing member jurisdiction.
(20) “Stage 2 administrator license” means a license issued to an individual who has completed an approved school administrator preparation program, but has not met the jurisdiction-specific requirements for a stage 3 license of the issuing member jurisdiction.
(21) “Stage 3 administrator license” means a license issued to an individual who holds a minimum of a master’s degree and has met all jurisdiction-specific requirements for licensure, including endorsements when applicable.
(22) “Stages of teacher licensure” are described below and are general categories of licensure. Member jurisdictions may or may not have licenses available in each stage. (a) “Stage 1 teacher license” means a license issued to an individual who holds a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, has met approved teacher preparation program admission requirements, but has not met the jurisdiction-specific requirements of the issuing member jurisdiction.
(23) “License” means certificate, credential or other similar term designated by the member jurisdiction.
(24) “Member jurisdiction” means an entity which is a voting member of NASDTEC.
(25) “School” means an institution, other than a home school, which offers instruction for students of any grade, from birth through grade 12, which satisfies the compulsory attendance requirements of the member jurisdiction in which the institution is located.
(26) “Support professional” means a person other than a teacher or administrator who is required to hold an educator license based upon at least a bachelor’s degree.
(27) “Teacher” means a person whose primary responsibility is to instruct students or as otherwise defined by the member jurisdiction.
(b) New England association of schools and colleges;
(c) North central association of colleges and schools;
(d) Northwest commission on colleges and universities;
(e) Southern association of colleges and schools; and
(f) Western association of schools and colleges.
If the college or university does not have regional accreditation as detailed above, consideration of the educator for licensure is at the discretion of the member jurisdiction.
Teacher
Traditional Program
Nontraditional Program
Rigorous Admission Standards
Yes
Yes, including a bachelor’s degree earned prior to admission
Conferred Degree Upon Program Completion
Yes or No
Yes or No
Delivered by an Institution of Higher Education (IHE)
Yes
Yes or No
Supervised Clinical Practice
Yes
Yes, but may differ from a traditional program
May Be Employed As An Educator While Completing Program
No
Yes
Administrator
Traditional Program
Nontraditional Program
Rigorous Admission Standards
Yes, including a bachelor’s degree or higher earned prior to admission
Yes, including a bachelor’s degree or higher earned prior to admission
Conferred Degree Upon Program Completion
Yes or No
Yes or No
Delivered by an IHE Yes
Yes or No
Supervised Clinical Practice
Yes
Yes, but may differ from a traditional program
May Be Employed As An Educator While Completing Program
Yes or No
Yes
A program approved in one (1) member jurisdiction may not lead to licensure in another member jurisdiction.
(b) “Stage 2 teacher license” means a license issued to an individual who holds a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, has completed an approved teacher preparation program, but has not met the jurisdiction-specific requirements for a stage 3 license of the issuing member jurisdiction.
(c) “Stage 3 teacher license” means a license issued to an individual who holds a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, has completed an approved teacher preparation program and has met all jurisdiction-specific requirements of the issuing member jurisdiction.
(d) “Stage 4 teacher license” means a license issued to an individual who holds a minimum of a master’s degree or the equivalent, has completed an approved teacher preparation program and has met any jurisdiction-specific requirements beyond those required for the stage 3 license of the issuing member jurisdiction.