DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Professional Standards Board
1500 Professional Standards Board
Content
This regulation provides the qualifications and training required for an individual to be issued an Intern Permit pursuant to 14 Del.C. §§1204(a) and 1216A(a)(1) .
Definitions
The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning:
" Department " means the Delaware Department of Education.
" Employing authority " means any entity which employs or hosts interns, and includes school districts, charter schools, boards of directors, and management companies.
" Permit " means a document issued by the Delaware Department of Education that verifies an individual’s qualifications to serve as an intern.
" Intern " means a person who is completing a post-secondary capstone clinical experience to become licensed as an educator or an individual who is completing clinical experience for a license issued under Title 24. An intern may be a paid or an unpaid individual.
" Secretary " means the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education.
" Standards Board " means the Professional Standards Board pursuant to 14 Del.C. Ch. 12 .
Individuals Required to Have an Intern Permit
Individuals are required to have an Intern Permit when completing a capstone clinical experience in a Delaware public school. A capstone clinical experience does not include practica or other short placements completed prior to the final capstone, internship, or residency required for licensure in a particular area.
Requirements for Issuance of an Intern Permit
The Department will not process an application for an Intern Permit:
Until the applicant has submitted all the required documentation. If the applicant fails to submit all the required documentation within 90 days of initial submission, the Department may close the application taking no further action.
If the applicant is under official investigation by any national, state, or local authority with the power to issue educator licenses or certifications.
The Department may issue an Intern Permit to an applicant who has satisfied at least 1 of the following requirements provided the applicant has not engaged in conduct in violation of 14 Del.C. §1218(a) or (b) :
Is enrolled in an educator preparation program and has been approved by the enrolling program to proceed to a capstone clinical experience.
Is enrolled in a program leading to an approved professional license as specified in 14 Del.C. §1202 and will be completing part or all the applicant’s clinical experiences in a Delaware public school.
The applicant has been hired under the 91-day in lieu of student teaching pathway in accordance with 14 Del.C. §1210(a)(1) and the Department has approved the applicant’s eligibility for the program.
Application Requirements
Applicants for an initial Intern Permit are required to provide the following for the Department to consider the Intern Permit complete:
A completed initial application; and
Disclosure of the applicant’s criminal conviction history; and
An unofficial transcript; and
One of the following forms of documentation of authorization to begin the clinical experience which includes content area, projected beginning and ending dates:
An authorization letter submitted by the institution or the fieldwork supervisor that documents that the applicant has been approved by the applicant’s professional preparation program to proceed with the applicant’s capstone clinical experience; or
The Department-approved form that the applicant has been authorized to begin a 91-day in lieu of student teaching assignment.
Validity of an Intern Permit
For an applicant who applied for and met the requirements of the Intern Permit, the Intern Permit shall be issued for up to 1 school year and will expire on June 30.
An Intern Permit may not be renewed, but may be reissued only if:
There are exigent circumstances; or
The applicant’s capstone clinical experience or 91-day placement will extend beyond June 30 of the school year in which it was issued.
Disciplinary Action
An Intern Permit may be revoked, suspended, or limited for cause as provided in 14 Del.C. §1218 .
An intern whose Intern Permit is noticed for disciplinary action is entitled to a full and fair hearing before the Standards Board. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with 14 DE Admin. Code 1515 Hearing Procedures and Rules.
Contact Information and Change of Name or Address
All applicants and interns are required to update the contact information in Delaware Educator Data System (DEEDS) if the contact information changes.
An intern who legally changes the intern's name and wishes to change the name on the Intern Permit shall provide a notarized copy of evidence of the name change such as a marriage license or court action.
An applicant or intern whose mailing address, email address, or phone number changes shall provide the Department with the new mailing address, email address, or phone number within 14 calendar days of the change.
Effective Date
The effective date of this regulation shall be August 1, 2026.
29 DE Reg. 866 (04/01/26)