SECTION 210:35-5-45. Qualifications

(a)   Teachers. All elementary teachers shall meet the regular elementary certification standards of the state of Oklahoma for their specific assignments.

(1)   Teachers of early childhood or kindergarten classes shall hold a valid Early Childhood Education License/Certificate.

(2)   Teachers of first through third grade shall hold either a valid Early Childhood Education (PK-3) or a valid Elementary License/Certificate (1-8).

(3)   Elementary Licenses/Certificates are valid for grades seven and eight in the elementary schools with the exception of seventh and eighth grade mathematics. Teachers of seventh or eighth grade mathematics who are certified after September 1, 1999, shall be required to have intermediate mathematics certification or advanced/secondary mathematics certification. Teachers of seventh or eighth grade mathematics who are certified prior to September 1, 1999, shall be required to have intermediate mathematics or advanced/secondary mathematics certification prior to September 1, 2003. Secondary and elementary-secondary certified teachers in grades 7 and 8 in an accredited elementary school shall hold a credential in each subject area to be taught.

(b)   Specialists. Specialists such as library media specialists (librarians), reading specialists, guidance counselors, school psychologists, and speech-language pathologists shall meet the certification requirements of the state of Oklahoma.

(1)   School counselors shall hold a valid Oklahoma School Counselor Certificate appropriate for the grade levels to which they are assigned.

(2)   All athletic coaches, being assigned coaching duties, shall have completed a course in the care and prevention of athletic injuries.

(3)   All coaches and athletic directors shall be employed by the school district and shall hold a valid teaching certificate. Their names shall appear on the class schedule.

(c)   Principal or assistant principal. The principal or assistant principal shall hold a valid Oklahoma Elementary Principal's Certificate. A teaching principal or assistant teaching principal shall have an Elementary Principal's Certificate; shall teach at the school site and organizational level where the administrative assignment occurs; and shall devote a portion of the day to administration and supervision.

[Source: Added at 8 Ok Reg 2159, eff 5-17-91 (emergency); Added at 9 Ok Reg 2371, eff 7-13-92; Amended at 14 Ok Reg 3361, eff 5-5-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 361, eff 10-13-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 2306, eff 6-11-98; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 20, eff 9-17-01 (emergency); Amended at 19 Ok Reg 982, eff 5-13-02; Amended at 24 Ok Reg 1487, eff 6-11-07]