Section 181-79A-2511. School counselor residency and professional certification—Renewal and reinstatement.

(1) School counselors may renew their residency certificate in one of the following ways:

(a) Individuals who hold a residency certificate and who qualify for enrollment in a professional certificate program pursuant to WAC 181-78A-535(3) may have the residency certificate renewed for one additional two-year period upon verification by the professional certificate program administrator that the candidate is enrolled in a state approved professional certificate program.

(b) An individual school counselor who completes or intends to complete a National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) school counselor assessment but does not earn National Board Certification may use that completed assessment, or an affidavit of intention to complete, in order to renew the residency certificate one time for two years.

(c) Individuals who hold, or have held, a residency certificate who are not in the role of school counselor may have their residency certificates renewed for an additional five-year period by the completion of fifteen quarter credits (ten semester credits) of college credit course work from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or completion of one hundred fifty continuing education hours, directly related to the current performance-based standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-270(4) since the issuance of the residency certificate.

(2) Professional.

(a) For certificates issued under rules in effect prior to September 1, 2014, a valid professional certificate may be renewed for additional five-year periods by:

(i) Completion of one hundred fifty continuing education credit hours as defined in chapter 181-85 WAC since the certificate was issued and which relate to the current performance-based standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-270(4); or

(ii) Completion of four professional growth plans that are developed annually since the certificate was issued.

(b) Beginning September 1, 2014, a valid professional certificate may be renewed for additional five-year periods for individuals in the role of a school counselor by completion of four professional growth plans developed annually since the certificate was issued.

(c) Renewal of the professional certificate.

(i) Individuals who complete the requirements of the annual professional growth plan to renew their professional certificate shall receive the equivalent of thirty hours of continuing education credit hours.

(ii) The professional growth plans must document formalized learning opportunities and professional development activities that relate to the standards and "career level" benchmarks defined in WAC 181-78A-540(2).

(iii) Provided, That a school counselor professional certificate may be renewed based on the possession of a valid school counselor certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards at the time of application for the renewal of the professional certificate. Such renewal shall be valid for five years or until the expiration of the National Board Certificate, whichever is greater.

(iv) Provided, any educator holding a professional certificate which requires completion of four PGPs in five years, may renew the professional certificate for one time only by completing one hundred fifty continuing education credit hours as defined in chapter 181-85 WAC, or with completion of fifteen quarter credit hours related to job responsibilities, in lieu of completion of four professional growth plans as required by this chapter. Individuals with valid certificates must show completion of the hours as described in this section since the professional certificate was issued. Individuals with an expired professional certificate must complete the hours as described in this section within the five years prior to the date of the renewal application: Provided, That this section is no longer in effect after June 30, 2020.

(v) For educators holding multiple certificates as described in WAC 181-79A-251, 181-79A-2510, 181-79A-2511, or 181-79A-2512 of this chapter, or in chapter 181-85 WAC, a professional growth plan for teacher, administrator, or education staff associate shall meet the requirement for all certificates held by an individual which is affected by this section.

(vi) The one-time renewal option of using clock hours or credits in lieu of professional growth plans as required applies to any/all professional certificates an educator may hold, and is only available to the individual one time. This section is no longer in effect after June 30, 2020.

(vii) After July 1, 2015, professional certificates for school counselors, in addition to the requirements in this chapter, must attend professional educator standards board approved training in suicide prevention as per RCW 28A.410.226 for renewal of their certificate.

(d) Individuals not in the role of a school counselor may have their professional certificate renewed for an additional five-year period by:

(i) Completion of fifteen quarter credits (ten semester credits) of college credit course work directly related to the current performance-based standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-540(2) from a regionally accredited institution of higher education taken since the issuance of the professional certificate; or

(ii) Completion of one hundred fifty continuing education credit hours as defined in chapter 181-85 WAC since the certificate was issued and which relate to the current performance-based standards as defined in WAC 181-78A-540(2); or

(iii) Completion of four annual professional growth plans developed since the certificate was issued.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.410.210. WSR 15-20-059, § 181-79A-2511, filed 10/1/15, effective 11/1/15.]

RCW 28A.410.210. WSR 15-20-059, § 181-79A-2511, filed 10/1/15, effective 11/1/15.

Rules

181-78A-535,181-78A-270,181-85,181-78A-270,181-78A-540,181-85,181-79A-251,181-79A-2510,181-79A-2512,181-85,181-78A-540,181-85,