Professional Fitness Information

• What is Professional Fitness?

All educators applying for a Hawaii License or Permit must undergo a suitability review. The suitability review is an evaluation of a person’s character traits and conduct to decide whether that individual is likely to act with integrity and efficiency in their job. All applicants are required to self-disclose by answering the below Professional Fitness Questions on their application(s). Any falsification or deliberate misrepresentation, including omission of a material fact, in completion of these questions, can be grounds for refusal to renew, suspend, deny, condition, or revoke a license, certificate, or permit.  

• 8-54-9.16 (c) Reporting of violations:

Licensed educators, permit holders and emergency hires who may have engaged in action that could result in denial, non-renewal, revocation, or suspension of a license shall be required to report to the board, in a manner provided for by the board, within thirty (30) calendar days of the event, the following:

1. Been terminated or not rehired for cause;
2. Resigned under threat of termination or non-employment for cause; and
3. Been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor

 

• Professional Fitness Questions:

Applicants must answer ALL questions. If you have already reported an incident that has been resolved with the HTSB, you may answer ‘No’. Only select ‘Yes’ for new incidents.

1. Have you ever had a professional license, certificate, permit, or *equivalent, suspended, revoked, sanctioned, or disciplined by receiving any other adverse action, restriction, or special condition?
2. Have you ever been denied a professional license, certificate, permit, or *equivalent, even if the license, certificate, permit, or *equivalent was later issued with or without conditions or limitations?
3. Have you ever surrendered or relinquished a professional license, certificate, permit, or *equivalent, following an allegation of misconduct, during an investigation into allegations of misconduct, or to avoid having adverse action taken on your license, certificate, permit, or *equivalent?
4. Do you have any current investigative or disciplinary action pending against a professional license, certificate, permit, or *equivalent, or against an application for a professional license, certificate, permit, or *equivalent?
5. Have you ever been dismissed, resigned, or retired from employment following an allegation of misconduct, during an investigation into allegations of misconduct, or to avoid being terminated?
6. Have you been convicted or pled “nolo contendere” (no contest) to a felony or misdemeanor?
7. Have you ever withdrawn or been dismissed from an educator preparation program following an allegation of misconduct, during an investigation into allegations of misconduct, or to avoid being expelled from a program?

  *equivalent– may include any document authorizing a person to perform professional duties requiring a license issued by a state or jurisdiction, including but not limited to teachers, school librarians, or school counselors in a P-12 school setting.