12 NCAC 09B .0305. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION

(a)  An applicant meeting the requirements for Specialized Instructor Certification shall be issued a certification to run concurrently with the existing General Instructor Certification, except as set out in Paragraph (d) of this Rule. The applicant must apply for certification as a Specialized Instructor within 60 days from the date of completion of a specialized instructor course.

(b)  The requirements for certification as a specialized instructor are determined by the expiration date of the existing General Instructor Certification.  The following requirements apply during the initial period of certification:

(1)           where certification for both General Probationary Instructor and Specialized Instructor Certification are issued on the same date, the instructor is required to satisfy the teaching requirement for only the general probationary instructor certification.  The instructor may satisfy the teaching requirement for the General Probationary Instructor certification by teaching any specialized topic for which certification has been issued;

(2)           when Specialized Instructor Certification is issued during an existing period of General Instructor Certification, either probationary status or full general status, the specialized instructor may satisfy the teaching requirement for the General Certification by teaching the specialized subject for which certification has been issued;

(3)           where Specialized Instructor Certification becomes concurrent with an existing active period of General Instructor Certification, and there are 12 months or more until the certifications' expiration date, the instructor must teach 12 hours for each specialized topic for which certification has been issued; and

(4)           where Specialized Instructor Certification becomes concurrent with an existing active period of General Instructor Certification, and there are fewer than 12 months until the certification expiration date, the instructor is not required to teach any hours for the specialized subject.

(c)  The term of certification as a specialized instructor shall not exceed the 36 month period of full General Instructor Certification.  The application for renewal shall contain, in addition to the requirements listed in Rule .0304 of this Section, documentary evidence that the applicant has remained active in the instructional process during the previous three-year period.  Such documentary evidence shall include the following:

(1)           proof that the applicant has, within the three-year period preceding application for renewal, instructed at least 12 hours in each of the topics for which Specialized Instructor Certification was granted and that instruction was provided in a Commission-accredited training course or a Commission-recognized in-service training course.  Acceptable documentary evidence shall include official Commission records submitted by School Directors or In-Service Training Coordinators and written certification from a School Director or In-Service Training Coordinator;

(2)           proof that the applicant has, within the three-year period preceding application for renewal, attended and successfully completed any instructor updates that have been issued by the Commission. Acceptable documentary evidence shall include official Commission records submitted by School Directors or In-Service Training Coordinators, or copies of certificates of completion issued by the institution which provided the instructor updates; and

(A)          a favorable written recommendation from a School Director or In-Service Training Coordinator completed on a Commission Renewal of Instructor and Professional Lecturer Certification Form that the instructor successfully taught at least 12 hours in each of the topics for which Specialized Instructor Certification was granted.  Such teaching must have occurred in a Commission-certified training course or a Commission-recognized in-service training course during the three-year period of Specialized Instructor Certification; or

(B)          a favorable evaluation by a Commission or staff member, based on an on-site classroom evaluation of a presentation by the instructor in a Commission-certified training course or a Commission-recognized in-service training course, during the three-year period of Specialized Instructor Certification. Such evaluation shall be certified on a Commission Instructor Evaluation Form.

Upon submission of the required documentation for renewal, the Commission staff shall renew the certification as a Specialized Instructor.  Such renewal shall occur at the time of renewal of the General Instructor certification.

(d)  Certification as a Specialized Instructor in the First Responder, Physical Fitness, Explosive and Hazardous Materials, and Juvenile Justice Medical Emergencies topical areas as outlined in Rule .0304(d)(1), (g)(2), (i)(1), and (j)(1) of this Section, specifically those certifications not based upon General Instructor Certification, shall remain in effect for 36 months from the date of issuance.  During the 36 month term all non-Commission certificates required in Rule .0304(d)(1), (g)(2), (i)(1), and (j)(1) for Specialized Instructor certification in the First Responder, Physical Fitness, Explosive and Hazardous Materials, and Juvenile Justice Medical Emergencies topical areas must be maintained.

(e)  All instructors shall remain active during their period of certification.  Any Specialized Instructor training courses previously accepted by the Commission for purposes of certification shall no longer be recognized if the instructor does not teach at least 12 hours in each of the specialized topics during the three-year period for which certification was granted.  Upon application for re-certification, such applicants shall meet the requirements of Rule .0304 of this Section.

(f)  The use of guest participants in a delivery of the "Basic Law Enforcement Training Course" is permissible. However, such guest participants are subject to the direct on-site supervision of a Commission-certified instructor and must be authorized by the School Director.  A guest participant shall be used only to complement the primary certified instructor of the block of instruction and shall in no way replace the primary instructor.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 17C-6;

Eff. January 1, 1981;

Amended Eff. May 1, 2014; June 1, 2012; November 1, 2007; January 1, 2006; December 1, 2004; August 1, 2004; August 1, 2000; July 1, 1991; July 1, 1989; December 1, 1987; February 1, 1987.