571—12.23(321G,321I,462A,483A) Requirements for instructor certification and mentoring.
	12.23(1) Minimum requirements. The conditions listed in this rule must be satisfied before an instructor applicant may become a certified instructor or an approved mentor. Failure to meet these requirements shall result in the denial of the application. The applicant will be notified of the denial by the program coordinator or outdoor skills specialist. The applicant must:
	a. 	Submit an application as provided by the department.
	b. 	Be at least 18 years of age.
	12.23(2) Additional certified instructor requirements. Instructor applicants must also complete the following:
	a. 	A training and certification course for the ATV, boating, hunter, bow hunter, fur harvester, snowmobile, and snow groomer operator education programs. Instructor training courses shall review policies and procedures of the department, required recordkeeping and paperwork, education course material, teaching techniques, and criteria for evaluating the performance of student skills.
	b. 	The specific education course the instructor will be teaching.
	c. 	An apprenticeship for the specific education program that the instructor will be teaching. The apprenticeship shall consist of either teaching a simulated class to other instructor applicants or assisting a certified instructor to prepare and present an education course to students. The hunter education program apprenticeship must be completed within one year of attending the certified instructor training course.
	12.23(3) Background check. The instructor or mentor applicant must authorize a background check that includes, but may not be limited to, a criminal history check. A record of a felony conviction will disqualify the applicant. A record of a misdemeanor within the last three years may disqualify the instructor applicant, except for simple misdemeanors under Iowa Code chapter 321 or its counterparts in other states.
	12.23(4) Fish and wildlife violation check. The applicant may be disqualified if the instructor applicant has accumulated any habitual offender points pursuant to rule 571—15.16(483A) within the last five years or had a license suspended by a court of law or the department.
[ARC 7890C, IAB 5/1/24, effective 6/5/24]