Ind. Code ch. 20-28-4

in effect

Ind. Code § 20-28-4-1 "Program"

Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "program" refers to the transition to teaching program established by section 2 of this chapter. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-6.1-3-11(a).] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 20-28-4-2 Establishment

Sec. 2. The transition to teaching program is established to accomplish the following: (1) Facilitate the transition into the teaching profession of competent professionals and recent college graduates in fields other than teaching. (2) Allow competent professionals and recent college graduates to be issued a teaching license through participation in and satisfactory completion of the program. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-6.1-3-11(b).] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.205-2013, SEC.248.

Ind. Code § 20-28-4-3 Program; development and administration

Sec. 3. Subject to the requirements of this chapter, the department shall develop and administer the program. The department shall determine the details of the program that are not included in this chapter. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-6.1-3-11(c).] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.150.

Ind. Code § 20-28-4-4 Program; requirements

Sec. 4. An entity approved by the department may establish a course of study that meets the requirements of this section. A program approved under this section must comply with the following requirements: (1) Include the following study requirements: (A) For a program participant who seeks to obtain a license to teach in grades 5 through 12, up to eighteen (18) credit hours of study or the equivalent that: (i) prepares a program participant to meet Indiana standards for teaching in the subject areas corresponding to the area in which the program participant has met the education requirements under section 5 of this chapter, unless the program participant demonstrates that the program participant requires fewer credit hours of study to meet Indiana standards for teaching; (ii) beginning July 1, 2024, provides the program participants with instruction that is aligned to the science of reading; and (iii) beginning July 1, 2024, prepares a program participant who seeks to obtain an elementary generalist license that is valid for teaching in kindergarten through grade 5, an early childhood license that is valid for teaching prekindergarten through grade 3, or a license to teach special education to obtain the literacy endorsement required under IC 20-28-5-19.7. (B) For a program participant who seeks to obtain a license to teach in kindergarten through grade 6, twenty-four (24) credit hours of study or the equivalent, which must include at least six (6) credit hours in teaching scientifically based reading instruction that: (i) beginning July 1, 2024, is aligned to the science of reading; (ii) prepares a program participant to meet Indiana standards for teaching, unless the program participant demonstrates that the program participant requires fewer credit hours of study to meet Indiana standards for teaching; and (iii) beginning July 1, 2024, prepares a program participant to obtain the literacy endorsement required under IC 20-28-5-19.7. (C) For a program participant who seeks a license to teach in prekindergarten through grade 3, twenty-four (24) credit hours of study (or the equivalent) that must: (i) beginning July 1, 2024, include at least six (6) credit hours in teaching scientifically based reading instruction aligned to the science of reading; (ii) prepare a program participant to meet Indiana standards for teaching, unless the program participant demonstrates that the program participant requires fewer credit hours of study to meet Indiana standards for teaching; and (iii) beginning July 1, 2024, prepare a program participant to obtain the literacy endorsement required under IC 20-28-5-19.7. (2) Focus on student mastery of standards established by the state. (3) Include suitable field or classroom experiences if the program participant does not have teaching experience. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-6.1-3-11(d).] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.151; P.L.2-2007, SEC.215; P.L.90-2011, SEC.15; P.L.6-2012, SEC.134; P.L.192-2014, SEC.3; P.L.243-2023, SEC.9.

Ind. Code § 20-28-4-5 Participants; qualifications

Sec. 5. An individual who wishes to participate in the program must have one (1) of the following qualifications: (1) For a program participant who seeks to obtain a license to teach in grades 5 through 12, one (1) of the following: (A) A bachelor's degree or the equivalent with a grade point average of at least three (3.0) on a four (4.0) point scale from an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the subject area that the individual intends to teach. (B) A graduate degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the subject area or a related field that the individual intends to teach. (C) A bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution with a grade point average of at least two and five-tenths (2.5) on a four (4.0) point scale and either: (i) eighteen (18) credit hours in the subject area the individual intends to teach; or (ii) five (5) years professional experience in the subject or a related area that the individual intends to teach. (D) Both: (i) a bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution; and (ii) proof that the individual has passed the state approved content area examination in the subject area that the individual intends to teach. (2) For a program participant who seeks to obtain a license to teach in kindergarten through grade 6, one (1) of the following: (A) A bachelor's degree or the equivalent with a grade point average of at least three (3.0) on a four (4.0) point scale from an accredited institution of higher education. (B) Both: (i) a bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution with a grade point average of at least two and five-tenths (2.5) on a four (4.0) point scale; and (ii) five (5) years professional experience in an education related field, as determined by the department. (C) Both: (i) a bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution; and (ii) proof that the individual has passed the state approved content area examination in the subject area that the individual intends to teach. (3) For a program participant who seeks to obtain a license to teach in prekindergarten through grade 3, one (1) of the following: (A) A bachelor's degree or the equivalent with a grade point average of at least three (3.0) on a four (4.0) point scale from an accredited institution of higher education. (B) Both: (i) a bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution with a grade point average of at least two and five-tenths (2.5) on a four (4.0) point scale; and (ii) five (5) years professional experience in an education related field, as determined by the department. (C) Both: (i) a bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution; and (ii) proof that the individual has passed the state approved content area examination in the subject area that the individual intends to teach. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-6.1-3-11(e).] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.2-2007, SEC.216; P.L.90-2011, SEC.16; P.L.205-2013, SEC.249; P.L.192-2014, SEC.4; P.L.159-2026, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 20-28-4-6 Grant of initial practitioner license

Sec. 6. The department shall grant an initial practitioner license to a program participant who does the following: (1) Successfully completes the requirements of the program. (2) Demonstrates proficiency through a written examination in: (A) pedagogy; and (B) knowledge of the areas in which the program participant is required to have a license to teach; under IC 20-28-5-12(b). (3) Possesses a bachelor's degree. (4) Participates successfully in a beginning teacher residency program that includes implementation in a classroom of the teaching skills learned in the program. (5) Receives a successful assessment of teaching skills upon completion of the beginning teacher residency program under subdivision (4) from the administrator of the school where the beginning teacher residency program takes place, or, if the program participant does not receive a successful assessment, continues participating in the beginning teacher residency program. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-6.1-3-11(f).] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.152; P.L.2-2007, SEC.217; P.L.90-2011, SEC.17; P.L.275-2019, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 20-28-4-7 Restriction of initial practitioner license; application of section

Sec. 7. This section applies to a program participant who has a degree or related experience described in section 5 of this chapter that does not include all the content areas of a proficient practitioner license issued by the department. The department shall issue an initial practitioner license that is restricted to the content areas in which the program participant: (1) has a degree; or (2) has passed the state approved content area examination in the content area; unless the program participant demonstrates sufficient knowledge in other content areas of the license. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-6.1-3-11(g).] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.153; P.L.90-2011, SEC.18; P.L.205-2013, SEC.250.

Ind. Code § 20-28-4-8 Program participant school corporation employee; qualified instructor in subject area

Sec. 8. A school corporation may hire a program participant to teach only in the subject area in which the participant meets the qualifications set forth under section 5 of this chapter. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-6.1-3-11(h).] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12.

Ind. Code § 20-28-4-9 Renewal of initial practitioner license

Sec. 9. After receiving an initial practitioner license under section 6 or 7 of this chapter, a program participant who seeks to renew the participant's initial practitioner license must meet the same requirements for license renewal as other candidates for license renewal. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-6.1-3-11(i).] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.90-2011, SEC.19.

Ind. Code § 20-28-4-10 Rules

Sec. 10. (a) The state board may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to administer this chapter. (b) Rules adopted under this section must include a requirement that entities approved to offer the program submit an annual report to the department of the number of individuals who: (1) enroll in; and (2) complete; the program. (c) Rules adopted under this section may not require that there be a shortage of other licensed teachers in order for the governing body of a school corporation, including a charter school, or the appointing authority of a state accredited nonpublic school to employ a program participant. (d) Rules adopted under this section may not impose program requirements, participant qualification requirements, or licensing requirements that are in addition to the requirements set forth in this chapter. [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-6.1-3-11(j).] As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.246-2005, SEC.154; P.L.90-2011, SEC.20; P.L.205-2013, SEC.251; P.L.92-2020, SEC.49.

Ind. Code § 20-28-4-11 Transition to teaching license; employment

Sec. 11. (a) A program participant who is employed under this section is eligible to receive a transition to teaching license. The transition to teaching license is valid for three (3) years, and may not be renewed. (b) A program participant who is employed under this section: (1) shall enter into either: (A) a regular teacher's contract under IC 20-28-6-5; or (B) a temporary teacher's contract under IC 20-28-6-6, if replacing a teacher on a leave of absence; (2) is eligible to participate in a mentor teacher program; and (3) satisfies the field or classroom experience component of the program under section 4(3) of this chapter. As added by P.L.150-2006, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.121-2009, SEC.9; P.L.90-2011, SEC.21; P.L.205-2013, SEC.252.

Ind. Code § 20-28-4-12 Acceptance into program before passing a content area examination

Sec. 12. Unless otherwise required under this chapter, an individual may enroll in a program and receive a transition to teaching license without passing a content area examination before admission to the program. As added by P.L.127-2016, SEC.21.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/20Fetched: 10/17/2026