HB 2441 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, providing for educational specialist experience-based certification; and making an editorial change.

PRINTER'S NO.   3249

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 2441
                                                Session of
                                                  2026

     INTRODUCED BY INGLIS, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, PASHINSKI, SANCHEZ AND
        CURRY, APRIL 21, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 22, 2026


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
 2      act relating to the public school system, including certain
 3      provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
 4      schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
 5      laws relating thereto," in certification of teachers,
 6      providing for educational specialist experience-based
 7      certification; and making an editorial change.
 8      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 9   hereby enacts as follows:
10      Section 1.    Article XII heading of the act of March 10, 1949
11   (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
12   amended to read:
13                               ARTICLE XII.
14      CERTIFICATION OF TEACHERS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYES.
15      Section 2.    The act is amended by adding a section to read:
16      Section 1222.    Educational Specialist Experience-Based
17   Certification.--(a)    In addition to other requirements
18   promulgated by the State Board of Education, the Department of
19   Education shall issue an educational specialist experience-based
20   certificate to an individual seeking a position as a school
 1   counselor or school nurse in the public schools of this
 2   Commonwealth if the individual presents any of the following:
 3      (1)    For a nurse:
 4      (i)    Completion of an approved registered nursing program, or
 5   an equivalent program approved by a State Board of Nursing.
 6      (ii)    Completion of three (3) hours of approved training in
 7   how to recognize and report child abuse.
 8      (iii)    Passage of the National Council Licensure Examination
 9   or its predecessor, the State Board Test Pool Examination.
10      (iv)    Being current on the thirty (30) hours of continuing
11   education, which must include two (2) hours of approved training
12   in how to recognize and report child abuse.
13      (2)    For a counselor:
14      (i)    Holding a master's degree or doctoral degree in
15   counseling or a field determined by the State Board of Education
16   by regulation to be closely related to the practice of
17   professional counseling from an accredited educational
18   institution.
19      (ii)    Passage of one of the following examinations:
20      (A)    The National Counselor Examination for Licensure and
21   Certification given by the National Board for Certified
22   Counselors.
23      (B)    The Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination given
24   by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
25      (C)    The Art Therapy Credentials Board Certification
26   Examination given by the Art Therapy Credentials Board.
27      (D)    The Board Certification Examination given by the
28   Certification Board for Music Therapists.
29      (E)    The Practice Examination of Psychological Knowledge
30   given by the North American Association of Master's in

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 1   Psychology.
 2      (F)    The Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor
 3   Examination given by the International Certification and
 4   Reciprocity Consortium/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Inc.
 5      (G)    The Examination for Master Addictions Counselors given
 6   by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
 7      (iii)   Experience as follows:
 8      (A)    For a master's degree, at least three thousand (3,000)
 9   hours of supervised clinical experience completed in no less
10   than two (2) years and no more than six (6) years.
11      (B)    For a doctoral degree, at least two thousand four
12   hundred (2,400) hours of supervised clinical experience, of
13   which one thousand two hundred (1,200) hours was obtained
14   subsequent to the granting of the doctoral degree.
15      (iv)    Being current on the thirty (30) hours of continuing
16   education in acceptable courses and programs offered by approved
17   providers. The thirty (30) hours shall include at least three
18   (3) hours in ethics, two (2) hours of the mandated Act 31 child
19   abuse reporter training and one (1) hour in suicide prevention.
20      (b)    The educational specialist experience-based certificate
21   shall be issued for the period of time needed by an individual
22   to complete sixty (60) credit hours for a school counselor or
23   twenty-four (24) credit hours for a registered nurse in an
24   approved educational specialist preparation program, but in no
25   case may the period of time exceed five (5) years from the date
26   of issuance.
27      Section 3.   This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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