OH HB628

Amends Ohio Revised Code section 3319.22 to establish qualifications for obtaining a resident educator license, which is valid for four years and renewable under conditions specified by state board rules.

Allows resident educator license applicants to qualify through either a bachelor's degree from an accredited teacher preparation program, participation in Teach for America, or completion of an alternative certification program from a private nonprofit organization operating in at least five states for at least ten years.

Requires applicants using the alternative certification pathway to pass subject area exams and professional teaching knowledge pedagogy exams, or equivalent exams as determined by the Department of Education.

Establishes requirements for professional educator, senior professional educator, and lead professional educator licenses, including bachelor's and master's degrees from regionally accredited institutions and completion of the Ohio teacher residency program.

Requires school districts and chartered nonpublic schools to establish local professional development committees to determine if coursework meets renewal standards, with exemptions available for consistently high-performing teachers as defined by the state board.