HB 1388

                                                            Introduced Version
           HOUSE BILL No. 1388
                 _____
              DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 20-28-5-12.
Synopsis: Initial practitioner license. Provides that certain teaching
examinations are waived for an individual who is a graduate of a
teacher preparation program, unless the individual fails to obtain a
teaching license within three (3) years of graduation.
Effective: July 1, 2026.
   Morris, Judy, Criswell, McGuire
   January 8, 2026, read first time and referred to Committee on Education.
2026  IN 1388—LS 7119/DI 143
                                                                                       Introduced
            Second Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2026)
 PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
 Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
 additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
   Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
 provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
 word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
 a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
  Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
 between statutes enacted by the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
                   HOUSE BILL No. 1388
    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
 education.
     Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
1    SECTION 1. IC 20-28-5-12, AS AMENDED BY P.L.194-2025,
2 SECTION 1, AND P.L.214-2025, SECTION 112, IS AMENDED TO
3 READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 12. (a)
4 Subsection (b) does not apply to an individual who:
5      (1) held an Indiana limited, reciprocal, or standard teaching
6      license on June 30, 1985; or
7      (2) is granted a license under section 12.5, 16.5, or 18 of this
8      chapter.
9    (b) Except as provided in sections 12.5 and 16.5 of this chapter, the
10 department may not grant an initial practitioner license to an individual
11 unless the individual has:
12      (1) met the requirements of section 12.3 of this chapter; and
13      (2) demonstrated proficiency in the following areas on a written
14      examination or through other procedures prescribed by the
15      department:
16(A) Except as provided in subsection (f), pedagogy.
17(B) Knowledge of the areas in which the individual is required
 2026  IN 1388—LS 7119/DI 143
                                    2
1to have a license to teach.
2(C) If the individual is seeking to be licensed as an elementary
3school teacher, comprehensive scientifically based reading
4instruction skills aligned to the science of reading.
5    (c) An individual's license examination score may not be disclosed
6 by the department without the individual's consent unless specifically
7 required by state or federal statute or court order.
8    (d) Subject to section 22 of this chapter, the state board shall adopt
9 rules under IC 4-22-2 to do the following:
10(1) Adopt, validate, and implement the examination or other
11procedures required by subsection (b).
12(2) Establish examination scores indicating proficiency.
13(3) Otherwise carry out the purposes of this section.
14    (e) Subject to section 18 of this chapter, the state board shall adopt
15 rules under IC 4-22-2 establishing the conditions under which the
16 requirements of this section may be waived for an individual holding
17 a valid teacher's license issued by another state.
18    (f) The written examination requirement described in subsection
19 (b)(2)(A) is waived for an individual who is a graduate of a teacher
20 preparation program, unless the individual fails to obtain a
21 teaching license within three (3) years of graduation.
 2026  IN 1388—LS 7119/DI 143