An Act to Foster Career and Technical Education in Maine Schools
Maine Legislature, Session 132, LD 1163
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: CARLOW, RAFFERTY, DAUGHTRY
Amends: 20-A MRSA §13027

Legislative Document
No. 1163
H.P. 768
House of Representatives, March 20, 2025
An Act to Foster Career and Technical Education in Maine Schools 
by Creating an Additional Pathway to Certify Industrial Arts 
Teachers
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative CARLOW of Buxton.
Cosponsored by Senator RAFFERTY of York and
Representatives: CROCKETT of Portland, DODGE of Belfast, LYMAN of Livermore Falls, 
MURPHY of Scarborough, SARGENT of York, Senators: President DAUGHTRY of 
Cumberland, LIBBY of Cumberland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  20-A MRSA §13027 is enacted to read:
§13027.  Teacher certificate with industrial arts endorsement
A person who meets the eligibility requirements of subsection 2 may apply for an 
endorsement on a teacher certificate for a component of industrial arts with experiential, 
laboratory-based instruction as described in subsection 1 by filing an application with the 
department.  The commissioner shall review the application, and if the commissioner 
approves the application, the commissioner shall issue the endorsement.
1.  Components.  The components of industrial arts for which a teacher may obtain an 
endorsement on a teacher certificate include, but are not limited to, automotive body repair, 
diagnostics and mechanics, welding, electrical, carpentry and computer-aided design.
2.  Eligibility.  At a minimum, a teacher must meet the following qualifications in order 
to be eligible for an endorsement:
A.  Completion of an apprenticeship program registered with a statewide or national 
apprenticeship and training organization;
B.  Completion of a 2-year degree or certificate from a technical institution accredited 
by a national association of career and technical schools or similar organization;
C.  Completion of a minimum number of hours of paid applied employment or teaching 
in the component area for which the endorsement is sought; and
D.  Completion of a minimum number of hours of experience learning the trade or craft 
in the component area for which the endorsement is sought.
3.  Rules. The department shall adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted 
pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, 
subchapter 2-A.
SUMMARY
This bill creates a pathway for a teacher to obtain an endorsement on a teacher 
certificate for a component of industrial arts with experiential, laboratory-based instruction.  
For a teacher to be eligible for an endorsement, the teacher must have: completed an 
apprenticeship program; completed a 2-year degree or certificate from a technical 
institution; completed a minimum number of hours of paid applied employment or teaching 
in the component area for which the endorsement is sought; and completed a minimum 
number of hours of experience learning the trade or craft for which the endorsement is 
sought.