Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 3, March 1, 2024
(1) Purpose: An Emergency School Counselor
License qualifies its holder to provide counseling support services in Oregon
schools. The Emergency School Counselor License is issued to persons who
demonstrate adequate qualifications to receive a school counselor license on an
emergency basis. An Emergency School Counselor License may be issued when a
school district demonstrates extenuating circumstances that merit the issuance
of the license in order to protect the district's programs or students. The
Emergency School Counselor License is designed for short-term licensure only
and may not continue once the emergency situation has been remedied.
(2) District Sponsorship: The Emergency
School Counselor License requires district sponsorship. The sponsoring district
must submit a statement:
(a) Explaining the
urgent circumstances that constitute the emergency and how the qualifications
of the applicant will resolve the emergency;
(b) Verifying the urgent circumstances that
prevents hiring of a suitable counselor who holds an unrestricted school
counselor license;
(c) Assuring the
Commission that the district will obtain the license prior to assignment within
the district; and
(d) Requesting
and identifying the least amount of time necessary to meet the emergency needs
of the district.
(3)
Granting of a License: Upon filing a correct and complete application in the
form and manner prescribed by the Commission, a qualified applicant and a
co-applicant district may be granted an Emergency School Counselor License.
(a) An Emergency School Counselor License
shall be issued solely at the discretion of the Executive Director or designee
for any length of time deemed necessary to protect the district's programs or
students.
(b) The Executive
Director may consider efforts the educator has made in meeting licensure
requirements. Additionally, the Executive Director will consider academic
preparation or experience the proposed educator has had in the area in which
the district is requesting the license.
(c) Generally, failure to meet renewal
requirements does not constitute an emergency or extenuating
circumstances.
(d) In most cases,
an Emergency School Counselor License will expire on June 30 of the academic
year in which the license was granted regardless of the term for licensure.
Extending the license beyond the June 30 expiration date is at the discretion
of the Executive Director after considering all extenuating
circumstances.
(4)
Applying for the license: To be eligible to apply for the Emergency School
Counselor License an applicant must provide the following:
(a) Possess the personal qualifications for
licensure including attainment of at least eighteen years of age; possessing
good moral character; and mental and physical health necessary for employment
as an educator;
(b) Provide a
statement from the sponsoring district in accordance with section (2) of this
rule;
(c) Complete a background
clearance that includes:
(A) Furnishing
fingerprints, as required by ORS
342.223;
and
(B) Providing satisfactory
responses to character questions in the form and manner prescribed by the
Commission; and (d) Submit a complete and correct application in the form and
manner required by the Commission, including payment of all required fees as
provided in OAR 584-200-0050.
(e) An applicant may be asked to provide a
resume, official transcripts or other evidence of qualifications if requested
by the Executive Director or Director of Licensure.
(5) Continuing Applicant Licensure:
(a) The Emergency School Counselor License is
not subject to the 120 days allowed for licensure renewal purposes under ORS
342.127.
A new application and fee are required for the license the applicant must
qualify for once the Emergency License has expired.
(b) It is the applicant's responsibility to
apply for the subsequent license in a timely manner in order to ensure that the
applicant remains licensed.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS
342.165
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS
342.125,
ORS
342.136,
ORS
342.138,
ORS
342.165
