12 ncac 09b .0304          SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION

(a)  The Commission shall issue a Specialized Instructor Certification to an applicant who has developed specific motor skills and abilities by virtue of special training and demonstrated experience in one or more of the following topical areas:

(1)           Compliance and Control Tactics;

(2)           First Responder;

(3)           Firearms;

(4)           Law Enforcement Driver Training;

(5)           Physical Fitness;

(6)           Restraint, Control and Defense Techniques (Department of Public Safety, Division of Juvenile Justice);

(7)           Medical Emergencies (Department of Public Safety, Division of Juvenile Justice);

(8)           Explosive and Hazardous Materials Emergencies; or

(9)           Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.

(b)  To qualify for and maintain Specialized Instructor Certification in topical areas in Subparagraph (a)(1) through (a)(8) of this Rule, an applicant shall possess a valid CPR Certification that includes cognitive and skills testing, through the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Safety and Health Institute, or National Safety Council.

(c)  An applicant shall achieve a minimum score of 75 percent on the comprehensive written exam, as specified in Rule .0414 of this Subchapter, in order to qualify for Specialized Instructor Certification in the following topical areas:

(1)           Compliance and Control Tactics;

(2)           Firearms;

(3)           Law Enforcement Driver Training;

(4)           Physical Fitness; and

(5)           Explosive and Hazardous Materials Emergencies.

(d)  To qualify for Specialized Instructor Certification in the Compliance and Control Tactics topical area, an applicant shall meet the following requirements:

(1)           Hold General Instructor Certification, either probationary status or full general instructor status, as specified in Rule .0303 of this Section:

(2)           Complete the Commission-approved specialized instructor course; and

(3)           Obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director or in-service training coordinator.

(e)  To qualify for Specialized Instructor Certification in the First Responder topical area, an applicant shall satisfy one of the following two options:

(1)           The first option is:

(A)          Hold CPR instructor certification through the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Safety and Health Institute, or National Safety Council;

(B)          Hold, or have held, basic Emergency Medical Technician certification;

(C)          Have completed the Department of Transportation's 40 hour EMT Instructor Course or equivalent within the last three years or hold a North Carolina Professional Educator's License, issued by the Department of Public Instruction; and

(D)          Obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director or in-service training coordinator.

(2)           The second option is:

(A)          Hold General Instructor Certification, either probationary status or full general instructor status, as specified in Rule .0303 of this Section;

(B)          Hold CPR instructor certification through the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Safety and Health Institute or National Safety Council;

(C)          Hold, or have held, basic EMT certification; and

(D)          Obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director or in-service training coordinator.

(f)  To qualify for Specialized Instructor Certification in the Firearms topical area, an applicant shall meet the following requirements:

(1)           Hold General Instructor Certification, either probationary status or full general instructor status, as specified in Rule .0303 of this Section;

(2)           Complete the instructor training course for Specialized Firearms Instructor Training Certification as specified in Rule .0209 of this Subchapter; and

(3)           Obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director or in-service training coordinator.

(g)  To qualify for Specialized Instructor Certification in the Law Enforcement Driver Training topical area, an applicant shall meet the following requirements:

(1)           Hold General Instructor Certification, either probationary status or full general instructor status, as specified in Rule .0303 of this Section;

(2)           Complete the instructor training course for Specialized Driver Instructor Certification as specified in Rule .0227 of this Subchapter; and

(3)           Obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director or in-service training coordinator.

(h)  To qualify for Specialized Instructor Certification in the Physical Fitness topical area, an applicant shall become certified through one of the following two methods:

(1)           The first method is:

(A)          hold General Instructor Certification, either probationary status or full general instructor status, as specified in Rule .0303 of this Section;

(B)          complete the instructor training course required for Specialized Physical Fitness Instructor Certification as specified in Rule .0233 of this Subchapter; and

(C)          obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified School Director.

(2)           The second method is:

(A)          Complete the instructor training course required for Specialized Physical Fitness Instructor Certification as specified in Rule .0233 of this Subchapter;

(B)          obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified School director or in-service training coordinator; and

(C)          meet one of the following qualifications:

(i)            hold a valid North Carolina Professional Educator's License, issued by the Department of Public Instruction, and hold a baccalaureate degree in physical education, or

(ii)           be presently instructing physical education topics in a community college, college, or university and hold a baccalaureate degree in physical education.

(i)  To qualify for Specialized Certification in the Standardized Field Sobriety Testing topical area, an applicant shall:

(1)           Be certified by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Forensic Test for Alcohol Branch, as a Standardized Field Sobriety Instructor.

(2)           Obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director or in-service training coordinator.

(j)  To qualify for Specialized Instructor Certification in the Department of Public Safety, Division of Juvenile Justice Restraint, Control and Defense Techniques topical area, an applicant shall meet the following requirements:

(1)           Hold General Instructor Certification, either probationary status or full general instructor status, as specified in Rule .0303 of this Section;

(2)           Complete the instructor training course for the Department of Public Safety, Division of Juvenile Justice Restraints, Controls and Defensive Techniques Specialized Instructor Certification as specified in Rule .0241 of this Subchapter; and

(3)           Obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director.

(k)  To qualify for Specialized Instructor Certification in the Department of Public Safety, Division of Juvenile Justice Medical Emergencies topical area, an applicant shall meet the following requirements:

(1)           Have completed a Commission-certified basic instructor training course or an equivalent instructor training course, pursuant to Rule .0302 of this Section, utilizing the Instructional Systems Design model, an international model with applications in education, military training, and private enterprise;

(2)           Hold instructor certification in CPR and First Aid by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Safety and Health Institute, or National Safety Council; and

(3)           Obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director.

(l)  To qualify for Specialized Instructor Certification in the Explosive and Hazardous Materials Emergencies topical area, an applicant shall satisfy one of the following two options:

(1)           The first option is:

(A)          hold General Instructor Certification, either probationary status or full general instructor status, as specified in Rule .0303 of this Section;

(B)          Complete the instructor training course for Specialized Explosives and Hazardous Materials Instructor Certification as specified in Rule .0417 of this Subchapter; and

(C)          obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director or in-service training coordinator.

(2)           The second option is:

(A)          have completed the Fire Service Instructor Methodology Course or the equivalent utilizing the Instructional Systems Design model, an international model with applications in education, military training, and private enterprise;

(B)          Complete the instructor training course for Specialized Explosives and Hazardous Materials Instructor Certification as specified in Rule .0417 of this Subchapter; and

(C)          obtain the recommendation of a Commission-certified school director or in-service training coordinator.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 17C-6;

Eff. January 1, 1981;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2000; July 1, 1991; March 1, 1990; July 1, 1989; December 1, 1987;

Temporary Amendment Eff. January 1, 2001;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2015; June 1, 2013; April 1, 2009; August 1, 2006; January 1, 2006; December 1, 2004; August 1, 2002;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. May 25, 2019;

Amended Eff. January 1, 2025.