200-RICR-20-20-1. Regulations Governing the Certification of Educators in Rhode Island (version Adoption, 09/08/2005 to 07/14/2010)

RHODE ISLAND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SCHOOL NURSE TEACHER The school nurse teacher certificate is valid for service as a school nurse-teacher and health teacher in grades PK-12 of the public schools of Rhode Island. I. Certificate of Eligibility for Employment (CEE) – valid for three (3) years The initial certificate in Rhode Island for all areas of certification is a CEE. The CEE is used to seek regular employment in the schools of Rhode Island for the field identified on the CEE. The CEE is also valid for service as a substitute teacher. If regular employment is not secured in the three (3) year period, the CEE can be renewed every three (3) years (SEE NOTE ONE) until regular employment is secured. To be issued a CEE as a school nurse teacher an individual needs to satisfy all of the following: • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited or an approved institution of higher education as defined in these regulations. • Completion of an approved program designed for the preparation of professional nurses. • Licensed as a professional nurse in Rhode Island. • Three (3) years of documented experience in providing services as a professional nurse. • Twelve (12) semester hours of college credits in the following content areas: Foundations of Education, Educational Psychology, Methods and Materials in Health Education, and Methods and Procedures in School Nursing. • Applicants who have not previously been certified in the State of Rhode Island must achieve a score of at least 167 on the Principles of Learning and Teaching test, K-6 or the Principles of Learning and Teaching test 7-12. Only one test is required. (OVER) II. Professional Certificate: valid for one (1) year • The one (1) year professional certificate is issued to individuals who secure regular employment in the schools of Rhode Island. To be issued the one (1) year professional certificate the individual must submit an application for a one (1) year professional certification, the CEE, and documentation from the employing authority that regular employment has been secured in the certification area of the CEE. • The one (1) year professional certificate can be renewed annually upon the completion of six (6) semester hours of college credits in the following content areas: Introduction to Education of the Exceptional Child, Principals of Program Design in Health Education, Organization and Administration of School Health Programs, and Principles of Guidance. III. Professional Certificate: valid for five (5) years • Completion of twenty-four semester hours of appropriate coursework for school nurse/teacher as previously defined • Two (2) years of experience as a school nurse/teacher • The five (5) year professional certificate requires the successful completion of an I-Plan every five years for renewal for individuals who have been in regular employment for the five-year term of the certificate. To be entitled to an extension of the professional certificate without the completion of an I-Plan, educators must document their employment history during the previous five (5) years. Educators holding regular employment who serve for less than 135 days during any school year are entitled to a one (1) year extension of the professional certificate for each year of service less than 135 days to complete their I-Plan. Educators who leave regular employment during the term of the professional certificate are also entitled to an extension of the professional certificate for the number of years not engaged in regular employment. Educators who return to regular employment, must modify, if appropriate, the I-Plan on record and complete the five (5) year I-Plan during the remaining term of the extended certificate. Individuals who do not renew their Professional Certificate within six (6) months from the date of expiration may be required to complete additional requirements under new regulations to re-instate the expired certificate. NOTE ONE (1): Individuals who do not renew their CEE within six (6) months from the date of expiration may be required to complete additional requirements under new regulations to re-instate the expired certificate. Effective January 1, 2005