R277-304-8. Career and Technical Education Preparation Programs

  (1) Prior to approval by the Board, a CTE teacher preparation program designed for individuals that do not hold a bachelor's degree or higher shall:

  (a) focus on one or more of the following areas:

  (i) family and consumer sciences;

  (ii) health sciences;

  (iii) information technology;

  (iv) skilled and technical sciences; or

  (v) work-based learning;

  (b) require that candidates have six years of documented, related occupational experiences within the 10 years prior to the program application in an approved CTE license area;

  (c) require demonstration of competency in all areas detailed in Sections R277-304-3 and R277-304-5;

  (d) For a program applicant accepted after January 1, 2020, a CTE preparation program shall require multiple opportunities for a program applicant to successfully demonstrate application of knowledge and skills gained through the program in a school-based setting in all requirements outlined in Section R277-304-5; and

  (e) require candidates to hold the applicable license or certificate issued by the Utah State Department of Commerce, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing in any area where such licensure or certification exists.

  (2) A program may count an associate's degree in a related area for up to two years of occupational experience to satisfy the requirement in Subsection R277-304-8(1)(b).

  (3)(a) An approved program may request a waiver from the Superintendent of the occupational experience required for a candidate if the candidate has passed an approved competency examination in the respective field at or above the passing score established by the Superintendent.

  (b) The Superintendent may grant a waiver under Subsection (2)(a) for up to five years from the date the candidate passed the examination.