1. (a) The State Board of Education shall establish a Military Veteran Temporary Teaching Certificate. A Military Veteran Temporary Teaching Certificate shall be available for a teaching field for which the state board otherwise requires a bachelor’s degree. The State Department of Education may issue a temporary certificate pursuant to this section to any applicant who:

   1. (1) Documents 48 months of active duty military service with an honorable discharge or a medical separation;
   2. (2) Submits to the department the required application forms and fees and satisfactorily completes a criminal history background information check pursuant to the Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999;
   3. (3) Is recommended for certification by a local superintendent of education or private K-12 school administrator; and

   4. (4) Verifies compliance with all of the following admission criteria:

      1. a. Completion of 60 college credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as evidenced by one or more accredited institutions of higher education.
      2. b. A passing score on the appropriate Praxis content test of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP).
      3. c. Any other admission criteria established by the State Board of Education.
2. (b) After receiving temporary certification, the individual shall be assigned a mentor by the employing superintendent for a minimum of two school years after commencing employment, or participate in the Alabama Teacher Mentor Program if hired by a local board of education that participates in the program.
3. (c) A temporary certificate issued pursuant to this section is valid for five school years, is limited to a one-time issuance, and is nonrenewable.
4. (d) Time served as a teacher pursuant to a temporary certificate under this section shall not be counted in determining continued service status.
5. (e) Individuals who receive a temporary certificate under this section shall not be available to receive an emergency certificate pursuant to Section 16-23-3(f).
6. (f) When notifying the individual of his or her temporary certificate approval, the department shall also inform the individual of the certificate’s expiration date and provide a list of methods to complete the qualifications for a professional certificate.
7. (g) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement this section.

(Act 2026-166, §1.)