ARC 8815C - Iowa Administrative Rules

Adopted and Filed

Statements of professional recognition (SPR), ch 16

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ARC 8815C

EDUCATIONAL EXAMINERS BOARD[282]

Adopted and Filed

Rulemaking related to statements of professional recognition

The Educational Examiners Board hereby rescinds Chapter 16, “Statements of Professional Recognition (SPR),” Iowa Administrative Code, and adopts a new chapter with the same title.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

This rulemaking is adopted under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 256.146.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code section 256.146.

Purpose and Summary

This chapter provides procedures for the issuance of statements of professional recognition. The Board is removing duplicative statutory language.

Public Comment and Changes to Rulemaking

Notice of Intended Action for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on October 30, 2024, as ARC 8293C. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

●November 20, 2024

●December 2, 2024

No one attended the public hearings. No public comments were received. No changes from the Notice have been made.

Adoption of Rulemaking

This rulemaking was adopted by the Board on December 13, 2024.

Fiscal Impact

This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Board for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 282—Chapter 6.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

Effective Date

This rulemaking will become effective on February 26, 2025.

The following rulemaking action is adopted:

ITEM 1.Rescind 282—Chapter 16 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 16

STATEMENTS OF PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION (SPR)

282—16.1(256) Statements of professional recognition (SPR).

16.1(1) SPR. The following statements of professional recognition may be obtained by first obtaining licensure from the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing and do not permit service as a teacher:

a.School audiologist.

b.Speech-language pathologist.

c.School nurse.

d.School occupational therapist.

e.School physical therapist.

f.School social worker.

g.School behavior analyst.

h.Mental health professional.

16.1(2) Validity. The SPR is valid for five years. Applicants will also maintain their license from the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing during the term of the SPR, and this valid license will be required for the issuance and renewal of the SPR.

16.1(3) Temporary authorization. A temporary SPR may be issued for one school year if the license from the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing is temporary.

16.1(4) Request for SPR. The employer will submit a letter requesting that the SPR be issued.

282—16.2(256) School audiologist. The holder of this SPR is authorized to serve as a school audiologist to pupils from birth to age 21 who are deaf or hard of hearing. The person is required to obtain a professional service license or SPR from the board of educational examiners.

282—16.3(256) Speech-language pathologist. The holder of this SPR is authorized to serve as a speech-language pathologist to pupils from birth to age 21. The person is required to obtain a professional service license or SPR from the board of educational examiners.

282—16.4(256) School nurse. The holder of this SPR is authorized to promote the health and safety of the students, including providing medical treatment as allowed under the authority granted by virtue of holding a license from the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing. Applicants will also pass the registered nurse examination.

282—16.5(256) School occupational therapist. The holder of this SPR can serve as a school occupational therapist to pupils from birth to age 21 who have physical impairments.

282—16.6(256) School physical therapist. The holder of this SPR can serve as a school physical therapist to pupils from birth to age 21 who have physical impairments.

282—16.7(256) School social worker. The holder of this SPR is authorized to serve as a school social worker to pupils from birth to age 21 and will hold a licensed independent social worker (LISW) or licensed master social worker (LMSW) license.

282—16.8(256) School behavior analyst. The holder of this SPR can serve as a school behavior analyst to pupils from birth to age 21.

282—16.9(256) Mental health professional. A mental health professional pursuant to Iowa Code section 228.1 will obtain an SPR from the board of educational examiners to be employed by or provide services to an accredited public or private school. The holder of this authorization can serve as a mental health professional to pupils from birth to age 21. Social workers will instead obtain the professional service license or SPR specific to school social work, which includes the authorization to provide mental health services to an accredited public or private school or area education agency.

These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 256.

[Filed 12/24/24, effective 2/26/25]

[Published 1/22/25]

EDITOR’S NOTE: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 1/22/25.