Sec. 14.20.017. - Grace period for issuance of regular teacher certificates to previously certificated teachers.
(a) The department shall issue a teacher certificate as described in AS 14.20.020 , subject to revocation, to a teacher who meets the requirements of this section. To be eligible for a revocable teacher certificate under this section, a person shall
(1) have held a valid teacher certificate issued under AS 14.20.020 that expired more than 12 months before the teacher applied for a certificate under this section;
(2) have paid the fee required by the department under AS 14.20.020(c).
(b) A revocable teacher certificate issued under this section is valid for one year, during which the teacher shall complete any requirements for the issuance of a regular teacher certificate under AS 14.20.020 that the teacher has not already met. The department shall expedite the procedures required of teachers holding revocable teacher certificates who are seeking certification under AS 14.20.020 .
(c) A teacher holding a revocable teacher certificate under this section who previously passed the competency examination designated by the board under AS 14.20.020 (i) is not required to retake the examination before being eligible for a regular certificate under AS 14.20.020. A teacher holding a revocable teacher certificate who did not previously take or pass the competency examination shall take and pass the examination within one year after the date the revocable teacher certificate was issued. If the teacher does not pass the examination, the department shall immediately revoke the revocable teacher certificate.
(d) A teacher holding a revocable teacher certificate under this section may not receive a teacher certificate issued under AS 14.20.020 until the teacher submits fingerprints to the department to be used for a criminal history background check and the teacher has been found by the department to be suitable for employment as a teacher under AS 14.20.020(f).
(e) The revocable teacher certificate issued under this section must contain the same endorsements as those on the teacher's expired teacher certificate.
(f) Employment on the basis of a revocable teacher certificate issued under this section shall be considered in determining whether a teacher qualifies for tenure under AS 14.20.150 .
(g) A revocable teacher certificate and any endorsements issued under this section are valid for one year and may not be renewed under this section. The department may not issue a provisional certificate or a temporary certificate to a teacher who has held a teacher certificate issued under this section.