Sec. 80-1.6. Extensions of time validity of certificates

(a)

(1) For candidates who applied for their first time extension under this section prior to March 1, 2017, subject to the limitation provided in subdivision (e) of this section and excluding expired certificates in the classroom teaching service or expired provisional certificate in the title of school administrator and supervisor, the time validity of an expired provisional, initial or transitional certificate may be extended for a period not to exceed two years from the expiration date of such certificate, except as provided in subdivision (c) of this section, upon application by the holder of a teaching certificate:

(i) who is on leave from his/her teaching duties because of childbearing, childrearing, serious illness, or extended illness;

(ii) who is serving with the Peace Corps or other volunteer organization;

(iii) whose service as a teacher has been discontinued as a result of abolition of teaching positions in the school district in which employed;

(iv) who, because of extreme hardship or other circumstances beyond the control of the individual, was unable to complete the requirements for the permanent or professional certificate in a timely manner, excluding normal family commitments or inconvenience;

(v) for a candidate who has been unable to secure employment as a teacher or who has been pursuing a career other than teaching.

(2) For candidates who were issued a two-year time extension under this subdivision prior to March 1, 2017 and the two-year time extension expired on or after August 31, 2016, the commissioner shall automatically extend the time validity of the expired certificate beyond the two-year extension provided for in this subdivision, for a period not to exceed one year from the expiration date of the two-year extension.

(b) For holders of a provisional certificate or provisional renewal in the pupil personnel service, or for holders of an initial certificate, initial reissuance or transitional certificate in the classroom teaching service or school leadership applying for their first time extension on or after March 1, 2017, the time validity of the expired certificate may be extended once per applicable transitional certificate and once after the issuance of the first provisional or initial certificate, per certificate title (educators would not be able to earn a time extension on both the initial certificate and initial reissuance or the provisional certificate and provisional renewal, per certificate title), for a period not to exceed three years from the expiration date of such certificate, except as provided in subdivision (c) of this section, upon application by the holder of the certificate:

(1) who is on leave from his/her teaching duties because of childbearing, childrearing, serious illness, or extended illness;

(2) who is serving with the Peace Corps or other volunteer organization;

(3) whose service as a teacher has been discontinued as a result of abolition of teaching positions in the school district in which employed;

(4) who, because of extreme hardship or other circumstances beyond the control of the individual, was unable to complete the requirements for the permanent or professional certificate in a timely manner, excluding normal family commitments or inconvenience;

(5) for a candidate who has been unable to secure employment as a teacher or who has been pursuing a career other than teaching.

(c) The time validity of expired certificates prescribed in this section, including an expired provisional certificate in the classroom teaching service or an expired provisional certificate in the title of school administrator and supervisor, held by individuals on active duty with the Armed Forces may be extended by the commissioner, upon application by the holder of such certificate, for the time of such active service and an additional 12 months from the end of such service.