Proposed Certification Regulations

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is currently in the process of promulgating regulations pursuant to R.I. Gen. Law § 16-60-4. These regulations govern the certification of educators in Rhode Island. The Council on Elementary and Secondary Education approved these regulations to go out for public comment at their November 21, 2024 meeting. 

As part of the regulatory process, a 45-day public comment period will be open from January 10, 2025 through February 24, 2025.  Individuals may submit public comment regarding the proposed regulatory language in the following manner:

  • E-mail to regspubliccomment@ride.ri.gov 
  • Mail to the Rhode Island Department of Education at 255 Westminster St., Providence, RI 02903, Attn: Christine Kechejian
  • Submission of Google Form 
  • Public comment hearings 

RIDE will hold four (4) public comment hearings. The public is invited to provide public comment in person on the regulations on the following dates: 

Date/Time Location

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

5:00PM

Narragansett High School

245 S Pier Rd.
Narragansett, RI 02882

Thursday, January 23, 2025

5:00PM

Hugh Cole Elementary School

50 Asylum Rd.
Warren, RI 02885

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

5:00PM

Providence Career and Technical Academy

41 Fricker St.
Providence, RI 02903

Thursday, January 30, 2025

5:00PM

Smithfield High School

90 Pleasant View Ave. 
Smithfield, RI 02917

Public hearings will begin at 5:00 PM and will last until all public comments are heard. Public comment is welcome and will be considered in any language. If you would like to have language interpretation services or ASL translation services available for use at a hearing, please email regspubliccomment@ride.ri.gov at least one week in advance of the hearing date.    

This information is also available on the Board of Education Regulations and the Secretary of State websites.

Proposed Regulations Info Graphic

Proposed Regulations Summary Overview