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HB 440 · 2025 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Educator licensing exam requirements

AI-generated

relative to educator licensing.

Requires the department of education to adopt rules requiring candidates for initial administrator, teacher, instructional specialist, or educational specialist licenses to obtain passing scores on prescribed professional assessments.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 6, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill requires the department to adopt rules requiring candidates for initial administrator, teacher, instructional specialist, or educational specialist licenses to obtain passing scores on prescribed professional assessments.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“The state board shall also examine the qualifications of candidates for those positions and issue certificates to those who meet the requirements of said rules.”
Section 64:1
“Such rules shall require all candidates seeking an initial New Hampshire license for administrator, teacher, instructional specialist or educational specialist to obtain passing scores on professional education assessments as determined by the state board of education.”
Section 64:1
“Career and technical education teachers may be exempt from this requirement if they pass the basic academic skills testing or an industry recognized credential.”
Section 64:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Glenn CordelliRPrime
  • Rep. Margaret DryeRClerk· Education Policy and Administration
  • Rep. Michael MoffettRChair· State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
  • Rep. Kristin NobleRChair· Education Policy and Administration

Public testimony

7 signed in online · 2 wrote testimony

29% support71% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“Another innovation in education reform. Requirements are adjusted to the specialized skills need.”
— Daniel Richardson, Nashuasupports
“I oppose this bill because it unfairly singles out public school educators while completely excluding private school teachers, homeschooling parents, learning pod supervisors, and online instructors who have no certification from the same scrutiny.…”
— Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarketopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 18, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0188h18–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 6, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0188hadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • May 1, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass3–1
    Overall
    75% yea
  • May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2025-1860sfailed
  • May 1, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 22, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 22, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration1:00:25–1:18:3818m 13slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Feb 18, 2025Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration29:36–40:2910m 53slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0188h; Executive Session
  • Mar 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0188h — adopted, voice vote; Introduced 2025-0188h
  • Mar 25, 2025Public hearingSenate Education1:29:47–1:35:375m 50slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateSenate floor43:19–45:362m 17slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote; Sen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2025-1860s — failed, voice vote
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 9, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 01/09/2025 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 3 P. 10
  2. Jan 22, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/22/2025 10:30 am LOB 205-207
  3. Feb 18, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2025 09:30 am LOB 202-204
  4. Feb 18, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0188h 02/18/2025 (Vote 18-0; CC) HC 14 P. 5
  5. Mar 6, 2025HouseIntroduced 2025-0188h HJ 7 P. 5
  6. Mar 6, 2025HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-0188h: MA VV 03/06/2025 HJ 7 P. 5
  7. Mar 6, 2025SenIntroduced 03/06/2025 and Referred to Education; SJ 7
  8. Mar 25, 2025SenHearing: 03/25/2025, Room 101, LOB, 09:45 am; SC 14
  9. May 1, 2025SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/01/2025, Vote 3-1; SC 19
  10. May 1, 2025SenSen. Prentiss Floor Amendment # 2025-1860s, AF, VV; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  11. May 1, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/01/2025; SJ 11
  12. May 22, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/22/2025); SJ 15
  13. May 22, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 51
  14. Jun 2, 2025HouseSigned by Governor Ayotte 06/02/2025; Chapter 64; eff. 06/02/2025

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.