Teacher credentialing: spouses of active duty members of the Armed Forces: expedited application process.

Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials, certificates, and permits. Existing law establishes that a preliminary teaching credential shall be valid for 5 years, pending completion of the clear credential program. Existing law requires the commission to grant or deny a completed application for a credential within 7 days of the date that the commission received the application if the applicant supplies the commission with evidence that the applicant is married to, or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with, an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is assigned to a duty station in this state under official active duty military orders and holds a valid teaching credential in another state, district, or territory of the United States. This bill instead would require the commission to grant or deny a credential within 7 days of the date that the commission received a completed application if the applicant submits (1) evidence that the applicant is married to, or in a domestic partnership or other legal union with, an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is assigned to a duty station in this state under official active duty military orders, (2) proof of holding a valid, unexpired, professional-level teaching credential, as defined, and (3) fingerprints for purposes of conducting a criminal background check, as provided. The bill would clarify that these requirements for the clear teaching credential are in addition to other existing education, experience, and knowledge requirements for the clear teaching credential. The bill also would require the commission to publish information about credentialing options available to military veterans, members of the military, and their spouses prominently on the home page of the commission's internet website.