SB304 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Clyde ChamblissSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Teachers, provisional teaching certificates, length of time for which emergency certificate is valid is extended from one year to two years, Secs. 16-3-16, 16-23-3, 16-23-16.1, 16-24C-3 am'd.
Summary: SB 304 would rename emergency teaching certificates to urgent certificates and extend their validity from 1 year to 2 years, with up to two renewals for a maximum of six years.
What This Bill Does
It changes the name of provisional certificates from emergency to urgent. It extends the certificate validity to two years and allows up to two renewals, for a total maximum of six years. It makes technical language updates to the referenced code sections. It also specifies that time served under an urgent certificate does not count toward continuing service status.

Who It Affects
Prospective or current teachers who would receive urgent certificates, especially when certified teachers are not available, by giving them a longer initial period and renewal options.
School districts and other employers, and the State Department of Education, which issue, manage, and track urgent certificates and their renewal and language updates.

Key Provisions
Renames emergency certificates to urgent certificates in sections 16-3-16, 16-23-3, 16-23-16.1, and 16-24C-3.
Extends the validity of an urgent certificate from 1 year to 2 years, with the ability to renew up to two times (max 6 years).
Allows extensions/renewals of urgent certificates under State Board of Education policies, procedures, rules, and standards to reach the 6-year maximum.
Time served under an urgent certificate shall not be counted toward continuing service status.
Adds technical corrections to update the language of the amended code sections.
Effective immediately upon passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Education