Pre-service Requirement: The minimum degree requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree with a major or minor consisting of 18 semester hours in the content or specialty area of endorsement. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Statute 14.20.020 (2002) and 04 AAC 12.395. For prospective health teachers in middle or high school, a candidate is required to have a major or minor in a subject area or a minimum of five years experience in the subject matter, in addition to a bachelor's degree. The specific details of licensure are outlined in Statute 14.20.022 (2002).

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree and completion of a state approved teacher education program in health education that requires a minimum of 32 semester hours of which at least 19 are upper division courses. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Administrative Code 290-3-2 (2003) and the curriculum requirements for prospective health teachers are provided in State Board of Education Administrative Code 290-3-3-.04 and .12 (2005).

Professional Development: The state department of education recommends that all 10th grade health education teachers maintain current certification as CPR Instructors by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. Compliance is monitored by the state department of education during state monitoring visits to local education agencies.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirements for prospective health teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure are a bachelor's degree and passing scores on the appropriate Praxis content knowledge exam. A health education teacher is also required to meet the standards laid out in the Physical Education/Health Standards (1998).

Professional Development: No state policy.

Pre-service requirement: The minimum degree requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Administrative Code R7-2-608 (2003). For prospective health teachers in middle or high school, a candidate must receive a passing score on at least one subject knowledge portion of the state assessment, in addition to a bachelor's degree. The specific details of licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Administrative Code R7-2-609 (2003).

Professional Development: State Board of Education Administrative Code R7-2-617 (2003) requires all holders of a teaching certificate may renew their certificate upon the completion of 180 clock hours of a professional development program.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective elementary teachers prior to licensure (for a Multiple Subjects Credential) is (1) a bachelor's degree including specific health education content and (2) completion of a one-year post-baccalaureate professional preparation program with specific content in health education pedagogy and creating a safe and healthy learning environment for all students. For a Single Subject Credential in health science, prospective secondary teachers are required to complete a bachelor's degree addressing topics such as substance abuse (including alcohol, drug, and tobacco); family life education (including human sexuality, HIV/AIDS, and sexually transmitted diseases); nutrition; comprehensive school health systems or programs; and health education theory, behavior or foundations. In addition, Single Subject Credential candidates are required to complete a one-year professional preparation program in which they learn to (1) plan and implement instruction based on the Health Framework for California Public Schools (2003), (2) creating a learning climate sensitive to the health-related needs of all students, (3) implement instructional strategies which result in students' understanding of scientifically based principles of health promotion and disease prevention, incorporating that knowledge into personal health-related attitudes and behaviors, and making good health a personal priority, (4) link instruction to the health of students', family, school, and community, and (5) initiate instruction which enhances students' resiliency and supports their development of positive assets.

A summary of the health education elements in California's teaching credential standards are in the Teacher Education" section. The specific details of licensure are outlined by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Professional Development Requirement: Education Code 51935 (2003) requires that (a) a school district shall cooperatively plan and conduct in-service training for all district personnel that provide HIV/AIDS prevention education, through regional planning, joint powers agreements, or contract services." Periodic in-service trainings are to be conducted to enable school district personnel to learn new developments in the scientific understanding of HIV/AIDS. In-service training shall be voluntary for school district personnel who have demonstrated expertise or received in-service training from the State Department of Education or federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." School districts may also expand the HIV/AIDS in-service training to cover the topic of comprehensive sexual health education.

Education Code 8990 (2004) encourages teachers responsible for nutrition education to regularly participate in professional development activities that provide basic knowledge of nutrition, skill practice in program-specific activities, and instructional techniques and strategies to promote healthy eating habits.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree in the liberal arts, with additional coursework in health (not specified). The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Regulations 2260.5-R-8.01 and 8.02 (2004). The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree in health, as outlined in State Board of Education Regulation 2260.5-R-8.11 (2004).

Professional Development: Statute 22-25-104 (2000) states that the required guidelines for health education programs must include a plan to promote and provide the proper training of teachers and staff in health education. Statute 22-25-104.5 (2000) encourages school districts to provide training for instructors and administrators in gang awareness and substance abuse resistance education.

For an initial license holder, State Board of Education Regulation 2260.5-R-12.01 (2004) requires steps towards completing the requirements for a professional license every 3 years until completed. State Board of Education Regulation 2260.5-R-12.02 (2004) requires six semester hours or 90 clock hours of professional development every five years for professional license renewal.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers is bachelor's degree with a major in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Statute Chapter 166, Section 10-145b (2004).

Professional Development: Regulation 10-145d-417 (2003) requires 90 hours of professional education every five years for re-certification.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirements for prospective health teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and a major in health for grade levels 5-12. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Administrative Code 14:1510.  Prospective teachers in grades K-4 need only earn a bachelor's degree with 45 credit hours in a content area.

Professional Development: 90-clock hours of professional development every five years are required for re-licensure per Code 14: 1511. Further, Administrative Code 14:851 (2005) requires an annual staff development plan describing the use of effective instructional methods as part of the K-12 comprehensive health education program.

Pre-service Requirement: Statute 1012.55 (2010) requires each person employed as a teacher in any public school to hold a state issued certificate. For certification in K-12 health education, Rule 6A-4.0191 (2000) requires a candidate to have a bachelor's degree or higher with either a teacher education major in health or 30 semester hours in health that includes areas specified in the Rule.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with a minimum of 25-quarter hours in health coursework. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Professional Standards Commission (PSC) Rule 505-2-.69 (2004).

Professional Development: For renewal, 6 semester hours of college course work or 10 credits of Professional Learning Units (PLUs) or Continuing Education Units are required per PSC Rule 505-2-.024 (2004).

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Administrative Rule 8-54-9 (1998).

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in 282 IAC13.28. The minimum requirement for health teachers prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree and a course in methods and materials of teaching health per 282 IAC 13. Teachers specifically endorsed in pre-kindergarten through kindergarten are required to take developmentally appropriate curriculum with emphasis on integrated health, safety, child and family health and nutrition, and health, safety and nutrition.  The requirement for health teachers in middle and high school is a bachelor's degree with at least 30 credit hours in health per 282 IAC 13.  K-12 health educators must complete 24 semester hours in public or community health, consumer health, substance abuse, family life education, mental/emotional health, and human nutrition. according to Requirements for Teaching Endorsements.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. For prospective teachers in middle or high school grades, the manual requires a minor in health in addition to a bachelor's degree. The specific details of initial licensure are on the DOE website.

Professional Development: The state does require health education teachers to complete 6 semester hours related to health education for certification renewal according to the DOE website.

Professional Development: Teachers receiving the Initial certificate must teach for four years and at the end of that time must have completed the professional development necessary to move to a Standard certificate. Holders of the Standard certificate must renew every five years by demonstrating they have complied with the professional development requirements of Standard certificate holders by completing the renewal options available under State Board of Education 23 Administrative Code Part 25, Subpart J (2005).

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in State Board of Education 23 Administrative Code Ch. 1, Section 1.710 (2004) and State Board of Education 23 Administrative Code Ch. 1, Section 1720 (2005). For prospective health teachers in high school, a candidate is required to have a minimum of 24 semester hours in health, in addition to a bachelor's degree. The specific details of licensure are outlined in State Board of Education 23 Administrative Code Ch. 1, Section 1730 (2004).

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary or middle grades or high school prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree with a content area in health from an approved program. For prospective teachers in high school, the state requires a major in health as well as a minor in education. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in 515 IAC 8-1-29 (2010).

Professional Development: Every five years, per 515 IAC 1-7-14 (1992), the Indiana Professional Standards Board requires the completion of six approved college semester credit hours, completing approved experiences that earn 90 credential renewal units, or the completion of an approved Professional Growth Plan for license renwal, or completion of the process for certification by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Regulations 91-1-202 (2002) and 91-1-209 (2003).

Professional Development: License renewal required every 5 years.

Pre-service requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, successful completion of the applicable assessment, a recommendation from an approved preparation program, and no additional coursework requirements in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in 16 KAR 2:010 (2003).

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with four semester hours in health and physical education. Secondary certification requires a completion of 30 hours of health and physical education courses. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in the Louisiana Standards for State Certification of School Personnel Bulletin 746 (2011).

Professional Development: No state policy.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary, middle, and high school is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. 603 CMR 7.05 (2006) provides the general guidelines.

Professional Development: Per General Law 71.38G (no date available), relevant professional development plan that meets board requirements for subject matter knowledge and teaching skills is required to be completed every 5 years for re-certification.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with a major in an interdisciplinary or academic field. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Regulations 13A.12.02.04 (1994) and 13A.12.02.05 (1991). For prospective teachers, preK through 12th, a candidate is required to complete a bachelor's degree with a major in health, or complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of content course work in health, as outlined in State Board of Education Regulation 13A.12.02.18 (1989).

Professional Development: Regulation State Board of Education 13A.04.18.01 requires teachers of family life and human sexuality to have additional preparation in content and teaching methods of such depth and duration as to be appropriate for the material taught.

State Board of Education Regulation 13A.04.18.01 requires that "school staff selected to teach HIV/AIDS prevention curricular topics in the classroom shall receive in-service education before initiating instruction with students, and annually after that.

Pre-service requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary school prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with one course in health. For prospective health teachers in middle and high school the requirement is a bachelor's degree with at least 36 credit hours in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Education Rule Chapter 115, Section 5520 (1997).

Professional Development: Education Rule Chapter 115, Section 5520 requires six hours of approved study, preferably in the certificate area, for certificate renewal.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirements for prospective health teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure in Michigan is a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and a minor in health for all grade levels. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in statutes 390.1126 (1986) and 390.1127 (1986).

Professional Development: In 2004, the State Board of Education adopted the Policy on Comprehensive School Health Education that recommends all health education teachers receive ongoing professional development specifically related to health education.

In 2003, the State Board of Education adopted the Policy to Promote Health and Prevent Disease and Pregnancy that recommends school districts support on-going professional development for designated school staff in effective sexuality instruction." MCL 380.1169 (2004) requires that those teaching HIV/AIDS must be trained in the subject. The state department of education is required to provide training.

Michigan also encourages development through its Michigan Model for Comprehensive School Health Education by providing training, organization and support to local schools that implement school health programs.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. Details for licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Rule 8710.0300 (2002). Prospective health teachers in middle and high school are required to have a bachelor's degree, and to demonstrate knowledge and skills specific to health, as outlined in State Board of Education Rule 8710.4500 (2002).

Professional Development: State Board of Education Rule 8710.7100 (2003) requires all teachers to obtain 125 hours of continuing education in their field every five years for re-licensure.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary and middle grades is a bachelor's degree, with at least 21 credit hours in health. For prospective health teachers in high school, a bachelor's degree with at least 30 credit hours in health is required. 5 CSR 80-800.350 (2003) provides the general guidelines, while the Department of Education website provides further detail for the Missouri Educator Certification Requirements (2000).

Professional Development: Teachers with professional certification must partake in either 15 or 30 hours of professional development based on the number of years they have taught. A teacher may be exempt from this requirement if he/she meets two of the following: has 10 years of teaching experience, attains a higher degree, or attains national certification.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, a standard MS license, and completion of an approved institutional program in health education. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in the Licensure Guidelines (2004) from the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Licensure, and Development.

Professional Development: The state does require teachers to attend professional development in order to obtain continuing education credit to renew their teaching license outlined in the Licensure Guidelines from the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Licensure, and Development. The content of professional development is left to the teachers/districts. State Board Policy GAD-1 (1997) requires the department of education to develop and disseminate a professional development model that establishes the expectations for individual educators and local district programs.

Pre-service requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. For prospective health teachers in high school, a candidate is required to minor in health, in addition to a bachelor's degree. The specific details of licensure are outlined in State Board of Public Education Administrative Rules Chapter 10, Title 57 (2002).

MCA 20-25-603 (2009) requires that all education degree students must have successfully completed a course in health education to include drug and alcohol education and abuse prior to being awarded the degree."

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: To be licensed as a physical educator or health educator in NC, an individual must complete an approved teacher education program, which in NC includes a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of admission to and exit from a teacher education program, a  satisfactory Praxis I score for admission to the program, a minimum of 10 weeks of student teaching, completion of a technology product of learning and completion of a program of study that meets state-approved standards and indicators for the specialty area.

Professional Development: No state policy.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary or middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. For prospective teachers in high school, the state requires a bachelor's degree with a liberal arts major, and at least a minor in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Code 15.1-18 (2006).

Professional Development: The state does not require health education teachers to participate in on-going professional development covering health education topics. The state also has no requirements for all teachers to participate periodically in professional development covering health education topics.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirements for a health education endorsement are a minimum of 27 semester hours in health courses for an endorsement for grade leve 7-12.  Details are found in 92 NAC 24-006.26 (no date available). For certification in health and physical education for grades K-12, the candidate must complete 48 semester hours of preparation in health and physical education courses, including 24 semester hours in scientific foundations and 24 semester hours in health education according to 92 NAC 24-006.27 (no date available).

Professional Development: Statute 79-830 (no date available), the Professional Growth Requirement, requires all certificated employees to provide evidence of 6 semester hours of professional growth or an alternative activity approved by the school board every 6 years.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Rule Ed 612.09 (2004). For prospective health teachers in high school, a candidate is required to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in health.

Professional Development: State Board of Education Rule Ed 512 (2001) requires educators to have a minimum of 75 hours of professional development every three years. 30 hours must be devoted to the educator's subject area or specialization.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree with liberal arts major or a pure science major. For prospective teachers in middle and high school, the state requires at least 30 coursework hours in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in the Educator's Guide Certification in New Jersey (2004). Additionally, State Board of Education Administrative Code N.J.A.C. 6A:9-9.2 (2004) allows a health education or health and physical education endorsement which both authorize the holder to teach health education in public schools. For an endorsement in health and physical education, State Board of Education Administrative Code N.J.A.C. 6A:9-11.8 (2004) requires the candidate to fulfill a 30-credit sequence of courses and a minimum of 15 credits in health education.

Professional Development: Per State Board of Education Administrative Code N.J.A.C. 6A:9-15.2 (2008), all teachers must complete at least 100 hours of continuing professional development for every five years of employment.

Pre-service Requirement: Complete the requirements for an elementary [K-8] license (6.61.2 NMAC) or a middle school [5-9] license (6.61.3 NMAC) or a secondary [7-12] license (6.61.4 NMAC) or a PreK-12 license (6.61.5). Competencies for entry level Health Education teachers may be found in 6.64.7 NMAC.

To add an (Health Education) endorsement to a teaching license, one must complete 24 semester hours of course work in Health Education. If the person has a middle school license, a secondary license, or a PreK-12 license, 12 of the 24 semester hours of course work must be in upper division courses.

Professional Development: No specific requirement for health education. However, 6.65.2 NMAC, requires all public school districts and charter schools to design and implement a professional development plan that meets the guidelines in this rule and that is part of the district/school strategic plan (Educational Plan for Student Success).

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary or middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with 12 additional courses in health for an endorsement. For prospective teachers in high school, the state requires at 16 semester hours in health coursework. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Administrative Code 391.095 (1998), 391.120 (1998), 391.098 (2002), and 391.13048 (1991).

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers is a bachelor's degree with specified course work and grades for all teachers. Candidates must also participated in the child abuse identification and school violence prevention workshops and have passed the Assessment of Teaching Skills, Content Specialty Test (CST) in Health Education, and the Liberal Arts & Sciences Test (LAST). They must also have 40 days of supervised teaching experience in health education within the applicable grade range, and have fingerprint clearance. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Commissioner's Regulation 52.21. 

Professional Development: State funds are used partly to fund HIV, STD, and teen pregnancy prevention programs through the New York State Education Department's Network of Regional Student Support Services Centers.

Pre-service Requirement: Health educators in Ohio are required to hold the Multi-Age License in health valid for teaching health in all grades Pre-kindergarten through 12^th grade. Health educators must have a bachelor's degree with a major in health education, and must pass the Praxis II Health Education Test per OAC 3301-24-05 (2003).

Professional Development: OAC 3301-24-08 (2003) requires 18 units of continuing education in the area of licensure for renewal, as approved by the local professional development committee. ORC 3319.073 (1995) requires the board of education to develop a 4-hour in-service training program in child abuse prevention for all elementary school district employees and service center work.

Pre-Service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Statute 70-6-190 (2002). For prospective teachers in middle or high school, a candidate is required to complete competency examinations in the subject area, in addition to a bachelor's degree. The specific details of licensure are outlined in Statute 70-6-187 (2002).

The Competencies for Licensure & Certification (2002) provides an outline of the knowledge and skills required for Health/Safety licensure and certification.

Professional Development: The state does not require health education teachers to participate in on-going professional development covering health education topics. However, the state does provide funds for staff development in the area of HIV and offers other professional development opportunities for health educators, physical education teachers, administrators, counselors, school nurses, and safe & drug-free school coordinators.

Statute 70-1210.229-5 (1991) requires the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Education, and the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy Board to develop guidelines and criteria to encourage teachers and administrators to receive in-service training on alcohol and drug abuse. The training or workshops should be in the staff development point system."

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree and 42 hours of competence in health education. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in OARs 584-038-0100 (1989) and 584-060-0011 (2002).

In addition to passing the required subject-matter, examinations for health education, and completing the required practicum experience, the requirements to add a health education endorsement onto any Initial or Continuing Teaching License are outlined in OAR 584-065-0070 (2005).

Professional Development: OAR 584-048-0025 (2002) allows the renewal of a basic license upon verification of a successful experience or 9 quarter hours of additional preparation or completion of additional preparation applicable to a Standard Teaching License according to OAR 584-048-0032 (1992).

Pre-service Requirement: 24 P.S. 12-1202 (no date available) requires that teachers be certified in the field in which they teach. 24 P.S. 16-1604 (no date available) requires that no teacher shall be employed to teach any discipline other than those enumerated in his certificate. 22 PA Code 49.71 (1972) requires that all teachers shall have completed a program of teacher education approved by the Department of Education, have satisfactorily achieved the prescribed assessments and have the recommendation of the preparing college or university.

Educators who teach health education must be certified as a health teacher, a health and physical education teacher, or an elementary teacher.  Qualifications for these certifications are found in Chapter 354 of Act 49 Health Education, Health and Physical Education, and Elementary Education.

Certification and Staffing Policy Guideline (CSPG) 41 (2004) states that elementary educators may teach AIDS education and health education within a grade-by-grade (K-6) self-contained classroom. When elementary students are grouped separately or scheduled for this instruction, a person holding a health or health and physical education certificate must be assigned. Health education at the middle and high school level must be taught by a certified health teacher or a certified health and physical education teacher. 

In a licensed private school, per 022 PA Code 51.34 (1947), only teachers holding either a valid Pennsylvania professional certificate issued under Chapter 49, a private academic teaching certificate, or a private academic temporary approval certificate may teach in a licensed private school.

Professional Development: Act 48 (1999) requires professional educators to complete 6 credits of collegiate study, 6 credits of continuing education courses, and 180 hours of continuing professional education programs, activities, or learning experiences every 5 years for maintenance of licensure. 24 P.S. 15-1547 (2002) states that local schools are required to provide programs for all instructors responsible for teaching the course of study on tobacco, alcohol, and drug prevention.

Pre-Service Requirement: TheRegulations Governing the Certification of Educators in Rhode Island (effective January 1, 2012) details a comprehensive redesign of the certification system that updates the requirements and procedures that govern educator certification in Rhode Island.  Specific details of Rhode Island Health Teacher Certificate are outlined in All Grades Health Teacher, Grades PK-12. Applicants must achieve a passing score of 160 on the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching ‐ Grades K‐6 (0622/5622) OR a passing score of 157 on the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching ‐ Grades 7‐12 (0624/5624). Applicants prepared in a program where the language of instruction was not English must achieve a passing score of 64 on the Versant Pro Speaking and Writing assessments.         See Certification Tests - Effective September 1, 2013.

Professional Development: See the RI Professional Teacher Standards, RI Standards for Educational Leadership, and RI Code of Professional Responsibilities. As per the Regulations Governing the Certification of Educators in Rhode Island, professional development is embedded in the state approved local evaluation system requirement that all educators receive annual evaluation ratings and professional growth plans.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no specific coursework in health. Prospective high school teachers must earn a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours of health coursework, which is the equivalent of a minor. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in State Board of Education Regulations R 43-51 (2003) and R 43-62 (2004).

The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary or middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with two semester hours of first aid and health which is the same requirements for all prospective K through 8 teachers. For prospective teachers in high school, the state requires a bachelor's degree, with at least 24 semester hours in health coursework. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Administrative Rules 24:57:07:04 (2008).

A comprehensive K-12 school health education endorsement requires 18 semester hours of health that includes health methodology, injury prevention and safety, tobacco, and mental and emotional health coursework. In addition to the 18 hours, a practicum, internship or student teaching is required as well as a study in the developmental characteristics of  K-12 learners. Details of the requirements are found in Administrative Rule 24:15:06:15 (2005).

Some authorizations are issued after the educator completes the approved programs (see Administrative Rule 24:53:07:20 2008), generally at the major level, and others are issued after the PRAXIS test (see Administrative Rule 24:15:06:15 2005) verifies that the educator has met the minimum requirements for authorizations outside a major.

Statute 13-42-1 (2003) does not allow a person to teach or administer in any public school without a certificate issued by the Department of Education that authorizes such person to teach or administer in the school.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers is a bachelor’s degree, with a health-related content major.  The specific details of initial licensure are outline in the Tennessee Licensure Standards and Induction Guidelines (2005). 

Professional Development:  The state does not fund programs for staff development specific to the topics of HIV, STD, and/or teen pregnancy prevention; however, staff development programs on HIV are provided and funded through the state’s cooperative agreement with the CDC.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with an academic major; however, health coursework is not specified. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Education Code 21.050 (2001).

Professional Development: The state does not require health education teachers to participate in on-going professional development covering health education topics.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. For prospective teachers in middle or high school, a candidate is require to have a major or state endorsement in health education, in addition to a bachelor's degree. The specific details of licensure are outlined in R277-504 (2004).

In addition, R277-474 (2001) requires each newly hired or newly assigned Utah educator with responsibility for any aspect of human sexuality instruction to attend the state-sponsored training that outlines the curriculum for human sexuality and the criteria for human sexuality instruction in any courses offered in the public education system.

Professional Development: R277-474 requires each school district to provide professional development at least once during every three years of employment for Utah educators teaching human sexuality, funded by the state.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. For prospective teachers in middle or high school, the state requires the candidate to have graduated from an approved teacher preparation program in health and physical education; or to have completed a major in health and physical education or 45 semester hours of course work. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in 8VAC20-21-140 (1998) and 8VAC20-21-280 (1998).

Professional Development:8VAC20-21-100 (2002) requires a minimum of 90 points (3 semester hours in a content area) in the license holder's area of endorsement for license holders without a master's degree.

Pre-service Requirement: Board Rules 5441, 5445 (2003) and 5440-31 (2005) require health educators to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in health education and a practicum in health education at the appropriate grade level. An applicant must also demonstrate knowledge of health concepts and skills in eight specified areas and meet three specific performance standards.

Professional Development: None specified.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary and middle school is a bachelor's degree. The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in high school is a bachelor's degree, with at least 30 semester hours in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in the Office of Public Instruction's online Certification guidelines.

The State Board of Education adopted the endorsement system in 1998 as WAC 181-82A-204 (2004). WAC 181-79A-358 (1997) requires a candidate to have completed the minimum coursework credit hours in the area of health education. Details of the essential areas of study are provided in the Code.

Professional Development: WAC 392-192-030 (1990) requires all local school districts to adopt a professional growth program for certified classroom teachers and support personnel unless a collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise.

Pre-service Requirement: To qualify for a license to teach health, an applicant must complete a program that incorporates Wisconsin's model academic standards for health and assists prospective teachers in developing specific competencies according to Code PI 34.30 (2000).

Professional Development: Code PI 8.01 (2004) requires each school district to establish an annual professional development plan to meet individual needs or curriculum areas in each school. Code PI 34.18 (2000) requires a professional educator to complete a professional development plan that demonstrates increased competency every five years.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in elementary, middle, and high school grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with no additional coursework in health. The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Board Policy 5202 (2004).

Professional Development: Board Policy 5202 requires health education teachers in West Virginia to complete six semester hours of coursework covering topics related to the public school program" for license renewal. The coursework could include health education topics, but could also focus on other areas, such as technology in education. Board Policy 5500 (1997) establishes the general implementation of staff development activities for the 18 hours of job-related training required for all school personnel each school year. Code §18-2-9 requires an educational in-service on the prevention, transmission and treatment of current communicable diseases shall include, but not limited to, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), shall be provided to all school personnel every two years by the county boards of education.

Pre-service Requirement: The minimum requirement for prospective health teachers in the elementary and middle grades prior to licensure is a bachelor's degree, with 27 hours in the applicable content area. For prospective teachers in high school, the state requires a bachelor's degree, with an endorsement in health as specified in Section 9 of Rule 4897, Chapter 7 (2002). The specific details of initial licensure are outlined in Rule 5615, Chapter 3 (2004).

Professional Development: Rule 5181, Chapter 15 (2003) requires five semester hours of credit and/or 75 clock hours of professional development for license renewal.