HB1023 — Part-time or adjunct instructor in public schools; locally awarded subject matter expert credential.

Summary

Part-time or adjunct instructor in public schools; locally awarded subject matter expert credential.

Bill Text

Compared against the Code of Virginia as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 1 section(s) of the Code of Virginia: 22.1-298.1.

• 22.1-298.1

  "Locally awarded subject matter expert credential" means a nontransferable credential

  Inserts “"Locally awarded subject matter expert credential" means a nontransferable credential”.

• 22.1-298.1

  issued in accordance with subsection Q in order to expand opportunities for individuals with relevant work or industry experience or expertise in a content or subject matter area to provide instruction in public schools as a part-time or adjunct instructor in one career and technical education course per semester.

  Inserts “issued in accordance with subsection Q in order to expand opportunities for individuals with relevant work or industry experience or expertise in a content or subject matter area to provide instruction in public schools as a part-time or adjunct instructor in one career and technical education course per semester.”.

• 22.1-298.1

  Q. A division superintendent or comprehensive commun

  Inserts “Q. A division superintendent or comprehensive commun”.

• 22.1-298.1

  ity college may issue a locally awarded subject matter expert credential, valid for a period of one year, to any individual who has expertise in a content or subject matter area relating to career and technical education in order for such individual to provide instruction or coursework as a part-time or adjunct instructor in one career and technical education course per semester in grades six through 12 at any public school in the Commonwealth or comprehensive community colle

  Inserts “ity college may issue a locally awarded subject matter expert credential, valid for a period of one year, to any individual who has expertise in a content or subject matter area relating to career and technical education in order for such individual to provide instruction or coursework as a part-time or adjunct instructor in one career and technical education course per semester in grades six through 12 at any public school in the Commonwealth or comprehensive community colle”.

• 22.1-298.1

  ge in the Commonwealth, including dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment courses. Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the hiring of an individual issued a locally awarded subject matter expert credential instead of an individual holding a valid teaching license. For a candidate applying for a locally awarded subject matter expert credential to provide inst

  Inserts “ge in the Commonwealth, including dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment courses. Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the hiring of an individual issued a locally awarded subject matter expert credential instead of an individual holding a valid teaching license. For a candidate applying for a locally awarded subject matter expert credential to provide inst”.

• 22.1-298.1

  r

  Inserts “r”.

• 22.1-298.1

  uction or coursework in a career and

  Inserts “uction or coursework in a career and”.

• 22.1-298.1

  technical education course, expertise in a corresponding career and technical education content or subject matter area may be demonstrated through:

  Inserts “technical education course, expertise in a corresponding career and technical education content or subject matter area may be demonstrated through:”.

• 22.1-298.1

  1. a. Passage of a content or subject matter area test and possession of a baccalaureate degree, a master's degree, or a doctoral degree from a regionally or nationally accredited public or private institution of higher education in the career and technical education content or subject matt

  Inserts “1. a. Passage of a content or subject matter area test and possession of a baccalaureate degree, a master's degree, or a doctoral degree from a regionally or nationally accredited public or private institution of higher education in the career and technical education content or subject matt”.

• 22.1-298.1

  er area to be taught;

  Inserts “er area to be taught;”.

• 22.1-298.1

  b. Possession of (i) the valid professional licensure or (ii) an industry certification credential in the career and technical education content or subject matter area to be taught and submission of written proof of at least five years of full-time work-related experience in such career and technical education content or subject area; or

  Inserts “b. Possession of (i) the valid professional licensure or (ii) an industry certification credential in the career and technical education content or subject matter area to be taught and submission of written proof of at least five years of full-time work-related experience in such career and technical education content or subject area; or”.

• 22.1-298.1

  c. Submission of written proof of full-time employment at a

  Inserts “c. Submission of written proof of full-time employment at a”.

• 22.1-298.1

  regionally or nationally accredited public or private institution of higher education during which the individual successfully taught courses relevant to the career and technical education content or subject matter area for at least five years; and

  Inserts “regionally or nationally accredited public or private institution of higher education during which the individual successfully taught courses relevant to the career and technical education content or subject matter area for at least five years; and”.

• 22.1-298.1

  2. Submission of written proof of the completion of two microcredentials established and administered by the Department, one of which shall be in the unique learning needs of special education students and the other of which shall be in classroom management and lesson planning.

  Inserts “2. Submission of written proof of the completion of two microcredentials established and administered by the Department, one of which shall be in the unique learning needs of special education students and the other of which shall be in classroom management and lesson planning.”.

• 22.1-298.1

  R. No individual who seeks a locally awarded subject matter expert credential pursuant to subsection Q shall be required, as a condition of the issuance of such credential, to demonstrate professional knowledge proficiency except as otherwise required in subsection Q. School divisions and institutions of higher education may hire individuals possessing a locally awarded subject matter expert credential as a

  Inserts “R. No individual who seeks a locally awarded subject matter expert credential pursuant to subsection Q shall be required, as a condition of the issuance of such credential, to demonstrate professional knowledge proficiency except as otherwise required in subsection Q. School divisions and institutions of higher education may hire individuals possessing a locally awarded subject matter expert credential as a”.

• 22.1-298.1

  part-time or adjunct instructor to teach career and technical education subjects or courses. Any such individual shall be subject to a background clearance check and the provisions of §§ 22.1-296.2 and 22.1-296.4 and shall have no pending disciplinary actions or investigations. The employing school board or institution of higher education shall assign a mentor to supervise any individual issued a one-year l

  Inserts “part-time or adjunct instructor to teach career and technical education subjects or courses. Any such individual shall be subject to a background clearance check and the provisions of §§ 22.1-296.2 and 22.1-296.4 and shall have no pending disciplinary actions or investigations. The employing school board or institution of higher education shall assign a mentor to supervise any individual issued a one-year l”.

• 22.1-298.1

  ocally awarded subject matter expert credential during such individual's employment at the public school and shall pay such mentor a stipend in an amount equal to two percent of his annual salary as compensation for such additional professional responsibility. Such mentor shall be an individual employed by a school board in a Standards of Quality-funded position and such stipend shall be subject to a state match through the Standards of Quality.

  Inserts “ocally awarded subject matter expert credential during such individual's employment at the public school and shall pay such mentor a stipend in an amount equal to two percent of his annual salary as compensation for such additional professional responsibility. Such mentor shall be an individual employed by a school board in a Standards of Quality-funded position and such stipend shall be subject to a state match through the Standards of Quality.”.

• 22.1-298.1

  S. Locally awarded subject matter expert credentials issu

  Inserts “S. Locally awarded subject matter expert credentials issu”.

• 22.1-298.1

  ed pursuant to subsection Q shall be nontransferable from school division to school division, provided that nothing in this section shall prohibit a division superintendent from awarding such a credential to a candidate who is transferring from a different school division in which he held such credential and who, at the time of transfer, meets the re

  Inserts “ed pursuant to subsection Q shall be nontransferable from school division to school division, provided that nothing in this section shall prohibit a division superintendent from awarding such a credential to a candidate who is transferring from a different school division in which he held such credential and who, at the time of transfer, meets the re”.

• 22.1-298.1

  quirements set forth in subsection Q.

  Inserts “quirements set forth in subsection Q.”.

• 22.1-298.1

  T. Upon the expiration of a subject matter expert credential issued pursuant to subsection Q, the division superintendent may extend for one year such locally awarded subject matter expert credential for any individual who receives satisfactory performance evaluations.

  Inserts “T. Upon the expiration of a subject matter expert credential issued pursuant to subsection Q, the division superintendent may extend for one year such locally awarded subject matter expert credential for any individual who receives satisfactory performance evaluations.”.

• 22.1-298.1

  U. Any individual issued a locally awarded subject matter expert credential pursuant to subsection Q shall not be eligible for continuing cont

  Inserts “U. Any individual issued a locally awarded subject matter expert credential pursuant to subsection Q shall not be eligible for continuing cont”.

• 22.1-298.1

  ract status while employed under such credential and shall be subject to the probationary terms of employment specified in § 22.1-303.

  Inserts “ract status while employed under such credential and shall be subject to the probationary terms of employment specified in § 22.1-303.”.

• 22.1-298.1

  V. Each school board shall annually report to the Department the number of locally awarded subject matter expert credentials issued pursuant to subsection Q.

  Inserts “V. Each school board shall annually report to the Department the number of locally awarded subject matter expert credentials issued pursuant to subsection Q.”.

• 22.1-298.1

  "Locally awarded subject matter expert credential" means a nontransferable credential issued in accordance with subsection

  Inserts “"Locally awarded subject matter expert credential" means a nontransferable credential issued in accordance with subsection”.

• 22.1-298.1

  P

  Inserts “P”.

• 22.1-298.1

  in order to expand opportunities for individuals with relevant work or industry experience or expertise in a content or subject matter area to provide instruction in public schools as a part-time or adjunct instructor in one career and technical education course per semester.

  Inserts “in order to expand opportunities for individuals with relevant work or industry experience or expertise in a content or subject matter area to provide instruction in public schools as a part-time or adjunct instructor in one career and technical education course per semester.”.

• 22.1-298.1

  P. A division superintendent or comprehensive community college may issue a locally awarded subject matter expert credential, valid for a period of one year, to any individual who has expertise in a content or subject matter area relating to career and technical education in order for such individual to provide instruction or coursework as a part-time or adjunct instructor in one career and technical education course per semester in grades six through 12 at any public school in the Commonwealth or comprehensive community college in the Commonwealth, including dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment courses. Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the hiring of an individual issued a locally awarded subject matter expert credential instead of an individual holding a valid teaching license. For a candidate applying for a locally awarded subject matter expert credential to provide instruction or coursework in a career and technical education course, expertise in a corresponding career and technical education content or subject matter area may be demonstrated through:

  Inserts “P. A division superintendent or comprehensive community college may issue a locally awarded subject matter expert credential, valid for a period of one year, to any individual who has expertise in a content or subject matter area relating to career and technical education in order for such individual to provide instruction or coursework as a part-time or adjunct instructor in one career and technical education course per semester in grades six through 12 at any public school in the Commonwealth or comprehensive community college in the Commonwealth, including dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment courses. Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the hiring of an individual issued a locally awarded subject matter expert credential instead of an individual holding a valid teaching license. For a candidate applying for a locally awarded subject matter expert credential to provide instruction or coursework in a career and technical education course, expertise in a corresponding career and technical education content or subject matter area may be demonstrated through:”.

• 22.1-298.1

  1. a. Passage of a content or subject matter area test and possession of a baccalaureate degree, a master's degree, or a doctoral degree from a regionally or nationally accredited public or private institution of higher education in the career and technical education content or subject matter area to be taught;

  Inserts “1. a. Passage of a content or subject matter area test and possession of a baccalaureate degree, a master's degree, or a doctoral degree from a regionally or nationally accredited public or private institution of higher education in the career and technical education content or subject matter area to be taught;”.

• 22.1-298.1

  b. Possession of (i) the valid professional licensure or (ii) an industry certification credential in the career and technical education content or subject matter area to be taught and submission of written proof of at least five years of full-time work-related experience in such career and technical education content or subject area; or

  Inserts “b. Possession of (i) the valid professional licensure or (ii) an industry certification credential in the career and technical education content or subject matter area to be taught and submission of written proof of at least five years of full-time work-related experience in such career and technical education content or subject area; or”.

• 22.1-298.1

  c. Submission of written proof of full-time employment at a regionally or nationally accredited public or private institution of higher education during which the individual successfully taught courses relevant to the career and technical education content or subject matter area for at least five years; and

  Inserts “c. Submission of written proof of full-time employment at a regionally or nationally accredited public or private institution of higher education during which the individual successfully taught courses relevant to the career and technical education content or subject matter area for at least five years; and”.

• 22.1-298.1

  2. Submission of written proof of the completion of two microcredentials established and administered by the Department, one of which shall be in the unique learning needs of special education students and the other of which shall be in classroom management and lesson planning.

  Inserts “2. Submission of written proof of the completion of two microcredentials established and administered by the Department, one of which shall be in the unique learning needs of special education students and the other of which shall be in classroom management and lesson planning.”.

• 22.1-298.1

  Q. No individual who seeks a locally awarded subject matter expert credential pursuant to subsection P shall be required, as a condition of the issuance of such credential, to demonstrate professional knowledge proficiency except as otherwise required in subsection P. School divisions and institutions of higher education may hire individuals possessing a locally awarded subject matter expert credential as a part-time or adjunct instructor to teach career and technical education subjects or courses. Any such individual shall be subject to a background clearance check and the provisions of §§ 22.1-296.2 and 22.1-296.4 and shall have no pending disciplinary actions or investigations. The employing school board or institution of higher education shall assign a mentor to supervise any individual issued a one-year locally awarded subject matter expert credential during such individual's employment at the public school and shall pay such mentor a stipend in an amount equal to two percent of his annual salary as compensation for such additional professional responsibility. Such mentor shall be an individual employed by a school board in a Standards of Quality-funded position and such stipend shall be subject to a state match through the Standards of Quality.

  Inserts “Q. No individual who seeks a locally awarded subject matter expert credential pursuant to subsection P shall be required, as a condition of the issuance of such credential, to demonstrate professional knowledge proficiency except as otherwise required in subsection P. School divisions and institutions of higher education may hire individuals possessing a locally awarded subject matter expert credential as a part-time or adjunct instructor to teach career and technical education subjects or courses. Any such individual shall be subject to a background clearance check and the provisions of §§ 22.1-296.2 and 22.1-296.4 and shall have no pending disciplinary actions or investigations. The employing school board or institution of higher education shall assign a mentor to supervise any individual issued a one-year locally awarded subject matter expert credential during such individual's employment at the public school and shall pay such mentor a stipend in an amount equal to two percent of his annual salary as compensation for such additional professional responsibility. Such mentor shall be an individual employed by a school board in a Standards of Quality-funded position and such stipend shall be subject to a state match through the Standards of Quality.”.

• 22.1-298.1

  R. Locally awarded subject matter expert credentials issued pursuant to subsection P shall be nontransferable from school division to school division, provided that nothing in this section shall prohibit a division superintendent from awarding such a credential to a candidate who is transferring from a different school division in which he held such credential and who, at the time of transfer, meets the requirements set forth in subsection P.

  Inserts “R. Locally awarded subject matter expert credentials issued pursuant to subsection P shall be nontransferable from school division to school division, provided that nothing in this section shall prohibit a division superintendent from awarding such a credential to a candidate who is transferring from a different school division in which he held such credential and who, at the time of transfer, meets the requirements set forth in subsection P.”.

• 22.1-298.1

  S. Upon the expiration of a subject matter expert credential issued pursuant to subsection P, the division superintendent may extend for one year such locally awarded subject matter expert credential for any individual who receives satisfactory performance evaluations.

  Inserts “S. Upon the expiration of a subject matter expert credential issued pursuant to subsection P, the division superintendent may extend for one year such locally awarded subject matter expert credential for any individual who receives satisfactory performance evaluations.”.

• 22.1-298.1

  T. Any individual issued a locally awarded subject matter expert credential pursuant to subsection P shall not be eligible for continuing contract status while employed under such credential and shall be subject to the probationary terms of employment specified in § 22.1-303.

  Inserts “T. Any individual issued a locally awarded subject matter expert credential pursuant to subsection P shall not be eligible for continuing contract status while employed under such credential and shall be subject to the probationary terms of employment specified in § 22.1-303.”.

• 22.1-298.1

  U. Each school board shall annually report to the Department the number of locally awarded subject matter expert credentials issued pursuant to subsection P.

  Inserts “U. Each school board shall annually report to the Department the number of locally awarded subject matter expert credentials issued pursuant to subsection P.”.

Action History

1. February 11, 2026

   H Continued to next session in Education (Voice Vote)

2. February 10, 2026

   H Placed on Education Agenda

3. February 10, 2026

   H Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

4. February 10, 2026

   H House subcommittee offered

5. February 06, 2026

   H Placed on Education Agenda

6. February 05, 2026

   H Assigned HED sub: K-12 Subcommittee

7. February 05, 2026

   H Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1023)

8. January 14, 2026

   H Referred to Committee on Education

9. January 14, 2026

   H Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102241D

Sponsors

• Wendell S. Walker · Primary

Subjects