Email: Chapter 21, Article 1E
§21-1E-1. Declaration of purpose.
The provisions of this article are intended to facilitate certification and/or licensure for workers who acquire training via career technical education provided by West Virginia public schools or an employer-sponsored apprenticeship and employer-sponsored training programs.
§21-1E-2. Definitions.
As used in this article and the legislative rules promulgated pursuant to this article:
"Apprentice" means someone who is enrolled in an apprenticeship program.
"Apprenticeship program" means a program offered by an employer to provide supervised on-the-job training to employees approved by the United States Department of Labor.
"Employer sponsored training program" means a program approved in accordance with a rule promulgated pursuant to authority established in §21-1E-4 of this code.
"License" means a valid and current certification or license issued by the Commissioner of Labor in accordance with the provisions of this article.
"Career technical education" means programs of study, clusters, and pathways approved by the West Virginia Board of Education pursuant to state board policy.
§21-1E-3. Recognition of training and apprenticeships.
Beginning July 1, 2019, applicants for certification or licensure shall be permitted to apply training hours earned via career technical education provided by West Virginia public schools or an apprenticeship program or employer-sponsored training program towards the requirements for certification and/or licensure in the same occupation in accordance with the standards and procedures authorized in accordance with this article.
§21-1E-4. Rule-making authority.
The Commissioner of Labor shall, after consultation with the State Superintendent of Schools, propose rules for legislative approval, in accordance with the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code, for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this article. The rules shall provide at least the following:
(1) Standards and procedures for recognizing training hours acquired through career technical education provided by West Virginia public schools and applying those hours to requirements for testing and/or certification and/or licensure; and
(2) Standards and procedures for recognizing training hours acquired through apprenticeship programs and employer-sponsored training programs and applying those hours to requirements for testing and/or certification and/or licensure.