Michigan Senate Passes Bills to Accept Teacher and Counselor Licenses From Out of State
LANSING, Mich. (April 19, 2023) — The Michigan Senate passed Senate Bills 161 and 162 today to reduce barriers for experienced, out-of-state educators and counselors to come to work in Michigan schools. The bills are sponsored by Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) and Sen. Sean McCann (D–Kalamazoo).
The bill package to expand teacher and counselor licenses includes:
-
Senate Bill 161 (Geiss): Streamlines the process for local school districts in Michigan to accept teacher licenses from other states by: allowing for three years of experience in lieu of a certification examination, removing requirements to obtain an initial teaching certificate, and expanding reciprocity for teaching certificates to Tribes and other countries.
-
Senate Bill 162 (McCann): Provides similar flexibility for local school districts to hire school counselors from other states using the same mechanisms as SB 161.
“This legislation will address the teacher shortage by allowing experienced, high-quality educators and counselors from other states and countries to come to Michigan,” said Sen. Geiss. “It’s no secret that Michigan has struggled to hire and retain educators in Michigan schools, then the shortage of professionals was only exacerbated by the pandemic. As Vice Chair of the Senate Education Committee, I want every student in my district and throughout Michigan to have qualified teachers and counselors accessible to them when they go to school. They deserve nothing less.”
“Our school counselors are on the frontlines of providing academic and career development, social and emotional development, advocacy and leadership to our students. Much like our teachers, Michigan schools have seen a shortage of these trained professionals to serve our students,” Sen. McCann said. “This legislation will help address this shortage by expanding reciprocity for experienced out-of-state school counselors.”
###