IdahoH 07282026 regular legislative sessionHouseWALLET

EDUCATION – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding educational staff, teachers, and certificates.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Free lifetime certificates for experienced educators

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Idaho State Board of Education can set lifetime-certificate rules, subject to legislative approval. Instructional, pupil service, and administrator certificates can be issued after at least 25 years of combined certificated experience. Any certificated position counts in Idaho districts, Idaho public charter schools, or equivalent public school systems elsewhere. The certificate is free and requires no ongoing reporting, upkeep, or professional development. It remains valid for life unless professional misconduct warrants revocation.

Three pay levels for school staff

Beginning July 1, 2026, district salary funding uses three levels for instructional and pupil service staff: residency, professional, and advanced professional. The professional level requires an overall proficient evaluation, no unsatisfactory component, and a majority of students meeting achievement or success targets. The advanced level requires overall proficiency, no basic or unsatisfactory components, and a distinguished rating in classroom environment or instruction/assessment. At least 75% of students must also meet achievement or success targets for the advanced level. These funding levels do not state how much an individual employee receives.

Renewable contracts require service and credentials

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law updates which certificated district employees qualify for renewable contracts. Covered employees must complete three full years of continuous work in the same district. They must also receive, sign, and timely return an offered contract for a fourth full year. Instructional staff generally need a professional endorsement, unless the career ladder is not funded. Employees are excluded if they have neither completed the three-year nontraditional route program while holding a three-year interim certificate nor received a five-year renewable certificate.

Certificate rules exempt classified school workers

Beginning July 1, 2026, Idaho elementary and secondary teachers, supervisors, administrators, and pupil service staff need certificates valid for their work. The law no longer separately lists education specialists, school nurses, or school librarians in this requirement. Classified staff are exempt from certification under this law. Their positions must fall outside the administrative, instructional, and pupil service categories.

School staff roles get new definitions

Beginning July 1, 2026, instructional staff must hold an Idaho certificate and spend at least 50% of their work time directly teaching students. Pupil service staff must hold a pupil personnel services certificate and spend at least 50% serving students without directly teaching them. Administrative staff include deputy superintendents, vice principals, special education directors, and charter school administrators with administrator certificates and that primary job. The category also covers mentors and leaders serving Idaho-certified staff with an instructional certificate or teacher leader endorsement, plus employees assigned duties beyond normal teacher administration. Mentoring alone no longer makes someone instructional staff, and supervisory, administrative, educational, or scientific work alone no longer qualifies someone as a teacher.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

Cindy J. Carlson
Republican • Senate
Monica C. Church
Democratic • House
Church & Harris
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 169 • No: 1

House vote • 3/26/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 67 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/23/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 32 • No: 1

House vote • 2/25/2026