Teacher credentialing: services credential with a specialization in occupational therapy or physical therapy services.

(1) Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to, among other things, establish professional standards, assessments, and examinations for entry and advancement in the education profession and to establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials, certificates, and permits. Existing law sets forth the minimum requirements for a services credential with a specialization in health and excludes services as an occupational therapist or physical therapist from the health services the holder of a services credential with a specialization in health is authorized to perform. This bill would require the commission to develop a services credential with a specialization in occupational therapy or physical therapy services and sets forth the minimum requirements for the credential, as provided. The bill would specify that nothing in its provisions prevents a school district from contracting with a 3rd-party provider to supply occupational therapy or physical therapy services not provided by school district staff. The bill would require the commission to determine the effective date of the credential and would authorize, on that date, any person with at least 5 years of experience providing occupational therapy or physical therapy services in a public school setting to apply for the credential if that person satisfies specified conditions. (2) Existing law specifies the minimum requirements for the preliminary services credential with a specialization in administrative services, which include, among other requirements, possession of one of various types of credentials. This bill would provide that possession of the services credential with a specialization in occupational therapy or physical therapy services satisfies that requirement.