HB 4151 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Education: teachers and administrators; endorsement requirements; modify. Amends sec. 1531 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1531).

HB 4151 modifies Michigan's teacher certification rules, primarily allowing experienced educators from other states to obtain Michigan teaching licenses without retaking certain exams if they've taught successfully for at least three years in their home state. It maintains existing requirements for new teachers to complete reading competency training (including diagnosing reading disabilities) before advancing to professional certification. The bill also requires the education department to report annually on exam fees and develop standardized tests for teacher certification, while keeping the same reading proficiency standards for Michigan-certified teachers. These changes directly affect teachers seeking certification or additional endorsements in Michigan, especially those transferring from other states or countries.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Governor

Introduced Feb 26, 2025 Last action Mar 18, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

House Introduced Bill → As Passed by the House · 8 edits · Mar 12, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Michigan's teacher certification laws to add new requirements for reading instruction training, establish subject area examinations for teachers, and create pathways for out-of-state teachers to obtain Michigan certification without passing all standard exams if they have significant teaching experience.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of teacher certification requirements to include specific reading competency standards and introduces new examination requirements for subject area endorsements.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that teachers must complete a 3-credit course on reading disabilities and differentiated instruction to advance from initial to professional certification.

Added new subject area examination requirements for teachers, including a specific reading subtest for pre-K through 6th grade endorsements.

Added a requirement that reading standards revisions must include recognition of reading disorders and enable teacher referrals for support.

ELIGIBILITY

Created a pathway for out-of-state teachers to obtain Michigan certification without passing standard exams if they have at least 3 years of successful teaching experience in their home state.

FISCAL

Established fee collection for teacher examinations with restrictions on fee increases and requirements for notifying teacher education institutions of changes.

TIMELINE

Added a requirement for annual reporting on examination development and financial statements regarding examination fees.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'additional endorsement' and 'individual holding a teaching certificate from another state' to clarify certification pathways.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions allowing denial of certificates for fraud, misrepresentation, or convictions that could lead to suspension or revocation.

Floor votes · House Mar 12, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 18, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #23 Yeas 96 Nays 13 Excused 0 Not Voting 1

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

referred to second reading

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation without amendment

lower

Mar 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

recommendation concurred in

lower

Mar 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation for referral to Committee on Rules

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Education and Workforce

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Introduced

introduced by Representative Rep. David Martin

lower

1 primary · 11 co-sponsors