Bill Introduced by State Lawmaker From Grand Forks Would Reduce Time for North Dakota Teachers to get Lifetime License

Rebecca Pitkin, executive director for the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

(Michael Achterling – North Dakota Monitor) -A bill proposes to reduce the years needed for a lifetime teaching license in North Dakota, but a state licensing board says ongoing education is critical to the career field.

The House Education Committee held a public hearing for House Bill 1238 that would reduce the years needed for teachers to acquire a lifetime license from 30 years to 20 years. The bill would also mandate teachers with lifetime licenses to file a report with the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board every five years to self-report any criminal violations, or any other information that could cause the teacher’s license to be revoked or suspended.

Rep. Zac Ista, D-Grand Forks, the bill’s chief sponsor, said a 20-year benchmark for lifetime licensing will reduce out-of-pocket costs for educators and improve workforce retention in education.

Teachers could save about $1,000 by eliminating two license renewal cycles, he said, and save the time it takes to do college-level continuing education credits.

The North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board opposes the bill, Executive Director Rebecca Pitkin told lawmakers. She said lowering the requirements for ongoing education does not “promote the profession.”