(a) To be eligible to be issued a certificate to teach students with visual impairments, a person must:
(1) complete either:
(A) all course work required for that certification in an approved educator preparation program; or
(B) an alternative educator certification program approved for the purpose by the board;
(2) perform satisfactorily on each examination prescribed under Section 21.048 for certification to teach students with visual impairments, after completing the course work or program described by Subdivision (1); and
(3) satisfy any other requirements prescribed by the board.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to eligibility for a certificate to teach students with visual impairments, including eligibility for renewal of that certificate, if the application for the initial certificate was submitted on or before September 1, 2011.