R277-333. Registered Apprenticeship Program for Teachers
R277. Education, Administration.
R277-333. Registered Apprenticeship Program for Teachers.
R277-333-1. Authority, Purpose, and Oversight Category.
(1) This rule is authorized by:
(a) Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board;
(b) Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law;
(c) Subsection 53E-6-201(3)(a), which gives the Board authority to make rules establishing the criteria for obtaining a license; and
(d) Section 53E-6-206, which directs the Board to work with the Utah Board of Higher Education to develop a strategy for modifying traditional and alternative programs for training teachers.
(2) The purpose of this rule is to establish requirements for the RAPT, which allows a teacher to earn a professional license through an approved apprenticeship program.
(3) This Rule R277-333 is categorized as Category 4 as described in Rule R277-111.
R277-333-2. Definitions.
(1)(a) "Apprentice" means a paid employee of an LEA who participates in structured on-the-job learning to prepare for a successful career as a teacher.
(b) An apprentice earns a progressive wage as the apprentice's skills and productivity increase.
(c) An apprentice may not be a teacher of record or long-term substitute teacher for an LEA.
(2) "Competency" means evidence established through demonstration in a higher education setting or pre-kindergarten to grade 12 classroom setting of successful application of knowledge and skills.
(3) "DOL" means the United States Department of Labor.
(4) "Education related expenses" may include:
(a) tuition;
(b) books;
(c) fees; or
(d) supplies.
(5) "Employer partner" means an LEA employing a participant, whether or not the LEA is a party to an apprenticeship agreement with the participant.
(6) "Individualized Professional Learning Plan" or "IPLP" means a plan developed for each participant, which shall include:
(a) for an apprentice:
(i) all requirements for a professional license, as described in Rule R277-301; and
(ii) all competencies for an apprentice's professional license areas of concentration and endorsements; or
(b) for a pre-apprentice:
(i) all requirements for a paraeducator as described in Section R277-324-5; and
(ii) the Utah Standards for Instructional Paraeducators incorporated by reference in Section R277-324-3.
(7) "Institution of higher education" or "IHE" means:
(a) a college or university that has a physical location in Utah where students attend classes; or
(b) an online college or university, which:
(i) has its primary headquarters in the state; and
(ii) is licensed to do business through the Utah Department of Commerce.
(8) "Journeyworker paraeducator" means an experienced paraeducator who:
(a) has attained a mastery level of skill, abilities, and competencies required for the profession;
(b) has met the paraeducator qualifications as described in Section R277-324-5; and
(c) may evaluate a pre-apprentice's competencies.
(9) "Journeyworker teacher" means an experienced teacher who:
(a) has attained a mastery level of skill, abilities, and competencies required for the profession;
(b) oversees and guides the work of an apprentice in an on-the-job placement;
(c) has an assignment from an LEA as a teacher in a Utah public school;
(d) has a professional license area of concentration in:
(i) Deaf education;
(ii) Early Childhood education;
(iii) Elementary education;
(iv) Secondary education;
(v) Special education; or
(vi) Preschool special education;
(e) has a professional or associate endorsement in:
(i) instructional coaching;
(iii) journeyworking teaching; or
(ii) teacher mentoring; and
(f) may evaluate an apprentice's competencies.
(10) "LEA" includes, for purposes of this rule, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
(11) "On-the-job learning" means:
(a) time spent in a public school working directly with a journeyworker;
(b) experiences that provide fully supported, increasingly demanding opportunities to apply learning, reflect on practice, and demonstrate competency under supervision of a journeyworker; and
(c) time spent directly with students or performing other aspects of teaching under supervision of a journeyworker, such as:
(i) professional learning;
(ii) extracurricular activities;
(iii) lesson planning; and
(iv) parent communication, as outlined by the LEA.
(12) "Participant" means a registered apprentice or registered pre-apprentice.
(13) "Pre-apprentice" means a paid employee of an LEA who:
(a) participates in structured on-the-job learning to prepare for a successful career as a teacher;
(b) earns a progressive wage as the apprentice's skills and productivity increase; and
(c) may not serve as a teacher of record or long-term substitute teacher.
(14) "Registered Apprentice Partners Information Database System" or "RAPIDS" means the DOL case management system for all registered apprenticeship programs.
(15)(a) "Registered Apprentice Program for Teachers" or "RAPT" means an industry-driven, high quality career pathway where:
(i) employers can develop and prepare the future workforce; and
(ii) an individual can:
(A) obtain paid work experience;
(B) receive progressive wage increases;
(C) receive supplemental education; and
(D) qualify for a Utah professional educator license, which is a portable, nationally-recognized credential.
(b) The "RAPT" is industry-vetted and approved and validated by the DOL and the Board.
(16) "Related instruction provider" means an entity that:
(a) provides related supplemental education to a participant;
(b) offers a competency-based postsecondary general education course online or in person; and
(c) is accredited by an organization recognized by the United States Department of Education.
(17) "Sponsor" means the Superintendent operating in coordination with the Utah Department of Workforce Services and the DOL to coordinate, administer, and oversee all aspects of the apprenticeship program.
(18) "Supplemental education" means learning experiences required to successfully demonstrate all required competencies and meet professional educator license requirements.
R277-333-3. RAPT.
(1) There is one RAPT in the state.
(2) The Superintendent may partner with an LEA as an employer partner.
(3) The Superintendent may partner with an IHE as a related instruction provider.
(4) The Superintendent shall register the RAPT and all related standards with the DOL.
(5) The Superintendent shall register all apprenticeship agreements with the DOL within 45 days of a participant's enrollment.
(6) The Superintendent shall notify the DOL of any change of status of a participant through RAPIDS.
(7) An apprentice may pursue a professional license with a license area of concentration in the following eligible license areas:
(a) Deaf education;
(b) Early Childhood education;
(c) Elementary education;
(d) Secondary education;
(e) Special education;
(f) Preschool special education.
(8) The Superintendent shall provide an application for participation in the RAPT.
(9) The Superintendent shall establish deadlines for the RAPT application.
(10) The Superintendent shall provide documentation related to the RAPT as required by the DOL.
(11) The Superintendent shall require periodic evaluation of a participant's progress in skills and technical knowledge and maintain appropriate progress records.
(12) The Superintendent may award an apprentice education related expenses of up to $10,000 annually.
(13) The Superintendent shall develop and maintain a model IPLP for an apprentice and a pre-apprentice.
(14) The Superintendent may award a pre-apprentice education related expenses of up to $4,000 annually.
R277-333-4. Apprentice Requirements.
(1) A participant must be at least 18 years old.
(2) A participant must have a high school diploma or GED.
(3) An apprentice shall have a cleared background check and must enroll in FBI Rapback as set forth in Section R277-301-10.
(4)(a) An LEA may not record a participant as a teacher of record or long-term substitute teacher in the LEA.
(b) If an individual is a teacher of record or long-term substitute teacher:
(i) the Superintendent may not enroll the individual in the RAPT; and
(ii) the Superintendent may require the individual to repay education related expenses provided through the RAPT.
(5) A participant shall complete a FAFSA, if enrolled in an IHE program.
(6) A participant shall be physically capable to perform the basic functions of teaching, with or without reasonable accommodation, and without jeopardizing the safety of the participant or others.
(7) If a participant is a military veteran, the participant may be eligible for GI Bill training programs while registered as a participant.
(8) A participant shall provide transcripts from an IHE as requested by the Superintendent.
(9) An apprentice shall serve under the direction of a journeyworker teacher.
(10) A pre-apprentice shall serve under the direction of a journeyworker paraeducator.
(11) A participant shall serve a probationary period until the completion of 1,000 hours of on-the-job learning.
(12) An apprentice shall demonstrate competency in all 37 general teacher preparation competencies, as incorporated by reference in Rule R277-304.
(13) An apprentice shall demonstrate all competencies required for the apprentice's desired license area of concentration as described in Rule R277-304.
(13) A pre-apprentice shall demonstrate all competencies aligned to the Utah Standards for Instructional Paraeducators incorporated by reference in Section R277-324-3.
(15) If an apprentice is seeking a secondary endorsement, the apprentice shall demonstrate additional content specific training as recorded in the apprentice's IPLP.
(16) A pre-apprentice shall complete the pre-apprenticeship in no more than two years.
(17) An apprentice shall complete the RAPT in no more than three years.
(18) The Superintendent shall award a professional license to an apprentice upon completion of all requirements identified in this rule and Rule R277-301.
R277-333-5. Employer Partners.
(1) An employer partner shall establish a RAPT employer partner agreement with the Superintendent, which shall include the following terms:
(a) An employer partner shall employ each participant, which may be full-time.
(b) An employer partner shall establish progressive wage rates that are compliant with the RAPT.
(c) Apprentice wages shall increase at least once during the apprenticeship period.
(d) Apprentice wages shall progress based on the demonstration of the General Teacher Preparation competencies, as follows:
(i) Minimum of $18.21 hourly for up to 20 demonstrated competencies;
(ii) Minimum of $22.18 hourly for 21-29 demonstrated competencies; and
(iii) Minimum of $26.49 hourly for 30-37 demonstrated competencies;
(e) An employer partner may not employ an apprentice as a teacher or long-term substitute teacher.
(f) Pre-apprentice wages shall increase at least once during the pre-apprenticeship period.
(g) Pre-apprentice wages shall progress based on the number of hours worked within the pre-apprenticeship, as follows:
(i) Minimum of $7.75 hourly for 0-1000 hours worked;
(ii) Minimum of $8.73 hourly for 1001-2000 hours worked;
(iii) Minimum of $9.30 hourly for 2001-3000 hours worked; and
(iv) Minimum of 10.08 hourly for 3001-4000 hours worked.
(h) An employer partner may not employe a pre-apprentice as a teacher.
(2) An employer partner may adapt its RAPT agreement to fit local context with approval from the Superintendent.
(3) The Superintendent may reimburse an employer partner for on-the-job learning for up to 50% of an apprentice's salary.
(4) An employer partner shall develop and maintain an IPLP for a participant, in collaboration with the Superintendent, for each year the participant is part of the RAPT.
(5) An employer partner shall assign a journeyworker teacher to each apprentice.
(6) An employer partner may not assign more than two apprentices to an individual journeyworker teacher.
(7) An employer partner may not assign more than one pre-apprentice to an individual journeyworker paraeducator.
(8) An employer partner shall ensure each journeyworker teacher, journeyworker paraeducator, and school administrator has training to evaluate participant competency.
(9) A journeyworker teacher shall have a similar license area of concentration as the one defined in the assigned apprentice's IPLP, as defined by the Superintendent.
(10) A journeyworker teacher or school administrator shall evaluate each apprentice annually using the general teacher preparation competencies incorporated by reference in Rule R277-304.
(11) A journeyworker paraeducator shall evaluate each pre-apprentice annually using the Utah Standards for Instructional Paraeducators incorporated by reference in Rule R277-324.
(12) An employer partner may not report an apprentice as an educator preparation program enrollee or completer.
(13) The Superintendent may reimburse an LEA for journeyworker teacher compensation for apprenticeship related work completed outside an LEA employment contract for up to $1,000 per assigned apprentice per year.
R277-333-6. Related Instruction Providers.
(1)(a) An IHE shall establish a related instruction provider agreement with the Superintendent to participate in the RAPT.
(b) An IHE may adapt a related instruction provider agreement to fit local context, with the approval of the Superintendent.
(2) A related instruction provider may enroll a participant.
(3) A related instruction provider may award college or university credit for competency demonstrated in on-the-job learning.
(4) A related instruction provider may evaluate participant competency.
KEY: apprentice, license, RAPT
Date of Last Change: October 8, 2025
Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Article X, Section 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53E-6-201(3)(a); 53E-6-206
Status of Rule
Effective October 8, 2025
Five-year review November 7, 2029
Oversight Framework
Related Utah Law
Public Education Statutes
None
Other Statutes
None
USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules
Related Federal Law
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The Child Nutrition Act and National School Lunch Act
Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Requirements
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Perkins V of the Career and Technical Education Act
Personnel Qualifications for IDEA Eligibility
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards
None
Resources
None
Contact Information
Primary Contact:
Contact Name
Email address
Section, Division
Secondary Contact:
Contact Name
Email address
Section, Division
NOTE: The information on this webpage is provided as a service to users and the Utah State Board of Education is not responsible for any errors or omissions.
R277-333: Registered Apprenticeship Program for Teachers (Effective December 10, 2024) (Published October 1, 2024)
NOTE: This history may be incomplete as it only shows rule versions if they were saved in digital format at the Utah State Board of Education. Additional versions of effective rules and all rules published in the State Bulletin may be accessed at the Office of Administrative Rules website. Please contact Kirin McInnis, legal assistant, at kirin.mcinnis@schools.utah.gov with any questions.
| Categories related to this rule: | This rule requires: | Framework category: | |||
| Adult Education | Committee or council | Exempt from framework | |||
| Charter Schools | Local policy | Category 1 | |||
| College and Career | Notice or website posting | Category 2 | |||
| Educators and Employees | Permission or consent | Category 3 | |||
| Federal | Plan | X | Category 4 | ||
| Funding | Reporting--Local | Uncategorized | |||
| LEA Operation and Administration | Reporting--USBE | ||||
| Licensing | Training | ||||
| Non-academic Student Support | |||||
| Parents | |||||
| Participation in Public Schools | Related Funding: | ||||
| School Improvement and Accountability | Minimum School Program--Basic | ||||
| Special Education | MSP--Related to Basic--Formula | ||||
| Student Learning | MSP--Related to Basic--Grant | ||||
| Student Safety, Behavior, and Discipline | Contracted Initiative | ||||
| Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind | Initiative Grant Program | ||||
| Utah State Board of Education | Other Funding |