§ 53F-5-202 — National Board certification reimbursement.

(1) (1)(a) The terms defined in Section 53E-6-102 apply to this section.
(1)(b) As used in this section, "eligible educator" means an educator who is employed as an educator by an LEA.
(2) (2)(a) Subject to legislative appropriations and Subsection (2)(b), the state board shall reimburse an eligible educator for a cost incurred by the eligible educator to attain or renew a National Board certification.
(2)(b) The state board may only issue a reimbursement under Subsection (2)(a) for:
(2)(b)(i) a National Board certification attained or renewed after July 1, 2016, and before July 1, 2019; or
(2)(b)(ii) a cost incurred by an eligible teacher to attain or renew a National Board certification after July 1, 2016, and before July 1, 2019.
(3) Subject to legislative appropriations, and in accordance with this section, beginning July 1, 2019, the state board may pay up to the total cost:

(3)(a) for an eligible educator who does not have a National Board certification to pursue a National Board certification; or
(3)(b) for an eligible educator who has a National Board certification, to renew the National Board certification.
(4) An eligible educator who does not have a National Board certification and intends for the state board to pay for the eligible educator to pursue a National Board certification shall:

(4)(a) submit to the state board:
(4)(a)(i) an application;
(4)(a)(ii) a letter of recommendation from the principal of the eligible educator's school; and
(4)(a)(iii) a plan for completing the requirements for a National Board certification within three years of the state board approving the eligible educator's application; and
(4)(b) pay a registration fee directly to the organization that administers National Board certification.
(5) An eligible educator who intends for the state board to pay to renew the eligible educator's National Board certification shall submit an application to the state board.
(6) The state board may not:

(6)(a) pay for an eligible educator to attempt to earn National Board certification over a period of longer than three years; or
(6)(b) pay for an individual to attempt National Board certification or a component of National Board certification more than once.
(7) The state board shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, specifying procedures and timelines for:

(7)(a) reimbursing costs under Subsection (2); and
(7)(b) paying costs for an eligible educator to pursue or renew a National Board certification under Subsection (3).

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 354, 2020 General Session; Amended by Chapter 408, 2020 General Session