AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

HB 5743 proposes several changes to teacher certification in Rhode Island. It would automatically extend existing teacher certifications, held as of July 1, 2025, for three or five years without fees. The bill also aims to boost teacher recruitment by waiving initial certification and Praxis exam fees for a three-year period. Furthermore, it would allow experienced teachers to acquire additional certifications and directs the Department of Education to create more flexible pathways for teacher and administrator certification, including recognizing non-traditional experience.