School nurses: credentialing.

Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to, among other duties, 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 for a school nurse, which include, among other requirements, a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited institution for a preliminary credential and, for a professional credential, an additional year of coursework beyond a baccalaureate degree in a program approved by the commission. This bill would instead require the baccalaureate or higher degree to be from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The bill would authorize the commission to approve a program offered by a local educational agency for one year of coursework beyond the baccalaureate degree, as provided.