WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 705

Career and Technical Education Licensure Requirements/Study.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Tricia Cotham and 5 co-sponsors

HB 705 directs a study to create an alternative teaching path for experienced workers to teach CTE, outlining criteria and implementation steps if adopted.

Passed 1st Reading
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 705

Summary — HB 705: Study CTE Licensure Requirements (Career & Technical Education)

Status: Passed 1st Reading
Introduced: November 12, 2024 (bill number HB 705)
State: North Carolina (text and actions indicate NC House Bill)
Effective date (for the act): July 1, 2025 (per statute)

Purpose / Intent

HB 705 directs a formal study to evaluate whether current licensure requirements for Career and Technical Education (CTE) high school teachers should be modified or supplemented by an alternative pathway that recognizes credentialed skilled workers and industry professionals. The intent is to identify criteria that would allow experienced practitioners to become CTE teachers without necessarily following existing teacher-licensure routes, and to recommend practical implementation steps.

Who must conduct the study, and to whom it reports

  • Lead agency: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
  • Collaborator: State Board of Community Colleges
  • Reporting requirement: Submit findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee
  • Deadline: No later than March 15, 2026

Required content of the study / report

The report must at minimum:
1. Recommend criteria for when a credentialed skilled worker or professional possesses sufficient competency to teach their subject, including consideration of:
- Types of credentials that would be sufficient or insufficient;
- Number of years of relevant experience required;
- Measures of breadth of experience or demonstrated competency (skills tests, portfolios, certifications, mentoring, etc.);
- Combinations of the above components.
2. Provide recommendations, in light of existing CTE licensure policies and procedures, on how to implement an alternative path or a modification to current licensure routes for individuals meeting the recommended criteria.

Key provisions / immediate effects

  • HB 705 is a study mandate — it does not itself change licensure law or create new licensing paths.
  • Establishes a collaborative review process (DPI + State Board of Community Colleges).
  • Produces a detailed report intended to inform subsequent legislative or administrative action.

Who would be affected (if recommendations are implemented)

  • Credentialed skilled workers and industry professionals (e.g., electricians, health-care technicians, manufacturing technicians) who might qualify to teach CTE courses under an alternative pathway.
  • Local school districts and CTE programs (potentially expanded applicant pool for teaching positions).
  • Students in CTE programs (potential increased access to instructors with current industry experience).
  • Community colleges and teacher preparation entities (may be asked to participate in implementation, supervision, or bridging coursework).

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Short-term: administrative workload for DPI and State Board of Community Colleges to complete the study and produce the report by March 15, 2026.
  • Medium/long-term (if adopted): could increase the CTE teacher pipeline, reduce vacancies, and bring more industry-experienced instructors into classrooms — while raising questions about training/support, classroom pedagogy, student safety/regulatory compliance, and alignment with existing certification systems.
  • Costs: HB 705 does not appropriate funds; implementation of any recommended pathway would require further legislative or budgetary action.

Next steps

  • DPI and the State Board of Community Colleges complete the study and submit the report by March 15, 2026.
  • The Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee will review the report; any changes to licensure policy would require separate legislative or State Board rulemaking action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.