Teacher credentialing: administrative services credential: occupational and physical therapists.

Assembly Member Blanca Rubio's proposal to modify California's administrative services credential requirements would create new pathways for occupational and physical therapists to pursue school leadership roles while extending experience requirements for all candidates. The legislation allows licensed occupational and physical therapists to qualify for preliminary administrative credentials, though they would need additional qualifications determined by their employing school district to supervise or evaluate teachers.

The bill increases the minimum full-time experience requirement from three to five years for all administrative credential candidates. This experience may now include work as a school-based occupational or physical therapist, in addition to existing qualifying roles like classroom teaching and pupil services. Local educational agencies may request waivers to reduce the experience requirement by up to two years for candidates who complete an approved administrative program, hold appropriate credentials, and receive an administrative job offer.

The measure maintains existing preparation pathways through either commission-approved programs or supervised internships, while adding provisions to coordinate with separate legislation (AB 959) modifying administrative credential requirements. If both bills pass, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing would review preservice, professional development and supervision standards for administrative internship programs during its next evaluation of credential pathways.