AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS

HB 7419 extends current teacher certifications for three or five years without fees or penalties for all teachers certified as of July 1, 2026. It waives all application fees and Praxis exam costs for new teacher certifications from July 2026 through June 2029 to support recruitment. The bill also requires the Rhode Island Department of Education to revise certification rules to create multiple pathways, including accepting non-traditional experience and competency demonstrations for credentialing. These changes aim to reduce barriers for teachers seeking initial or additional certifications while streamlining the process.