§8.3. Provisional teaching permit

            A. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education may issue a provisional teaching permit to:

            (1) Any person who has not passed the examinations required pursuant to R.S. 17:8.2 and who satisfies one of the following:

            (a) Holds at least a master's degree in the subject area in which the person is seeking employment.

            (b) Holds a bachelor's degree in the subject area in which the person is seeking employment and meets all of the following:

            (i) Is seeking employment in a secondary school.

            (ii) Graduated from an accredited postsecondary education institution with at least a 2.50 average on a 4.00 scale.

            (iii) Passed all requisite examinations covering content knowledge.

            (c) Meets all other certification requirements except the requirement to successfully pass the original examination but who scored within ten percent of the score required for passage.

            (2) Any person who has graduated from an approved teacher education program with less than a 2.50 average on a 4.00 scale but who meets all other certification requirements for a standard professional level teacher certificate.

            B. Any person holding a provisional teaching permit may be employed as a teacher for a period not to exceed five years if both of the following are satisfied:

            (1) The state superintendent of education receives a signed affidavit by the president and superintendent of the school board to which the person has applied for employment stating that there is no other applicant available for employment for a specific teaching position who has a valid standard professional level teacher certificate and stating that the person has agreed to participate in a mentorship program offered by the school board.

            (2) Each academic year, the person receives a successful teaching evaluation pursuant to R.S. 17:3902.

            C. Any person issued a provisional teaching permit who has not completed an approved teacher education program shall be required to complete a preservice training session offered by the school board prior to the first day of teaching students.

            D. At any time a person who meets the requirements of Subparagraph (A)(1)(c) of this Section successfully passes the examination, the person shall be issued a standard professional level teacher certificate, provided the person meets all other requirements for background checks and criminal history reviews as required by law and board policy.

            E. After five years of effective teaching evaluations pursuant to R.S. 17:3902 and upon a signed affidavit of a superintendent of a school system recommending to employ the person subject to the receipt of a valid Louisiana teaching certificate, the person shall be granted a valid standard professional level teacher certificate by the state superintendent of education, subject only to complying with all provisions of law or board policy relative to background checks and criminal history review.

            F. The period during which a teacher is working with a provisional teaching permit granted under the provisions of this Section shall not count toward tenure.

            Acts 2023, No. 392, §1, eff. June 14, 2023.