(1)(a) The Washington professional educator standards board may permit exceptions from the content knowledge assessment requirements under RCW 28A.410.220 (3) and (4) on a case-by-case basis.

(b) Consistent with the discretion accorded to the professional educator standards board under RCW 28A.410.220(4), the equivalent assessments, exemptions, and extensions provided for under this chapter are the sole exceptions to the content knowledge assessment requirements.

(2) Preparation program providers approved in a specific endorsement area by the professional educator standards board may recommend a candidate as meeting the content knowledge assessment in that endorsement area through the case-by-case exception process under this section.

(a) Candidates must take the content knowledge assessment once.

(b) Program providers may recommend a candidate for certification if they determine the candidate has the requisite knowledge and skills for that content knowledge assessment.

(c) The candidate must meet all other requirements for the endorsement and/or the certificate.

(d) Candidates adding an endorsement on a test-only basis under WAC 181-82A-204 (2)(c) are not eligible for a case-by-case exception for the content knowledge assessment.

(3) The preparation program provider must establish and convene a committee of at least three individuals for review of case-by-case exceptions for candidates not meeting the passing score on a content knowledge assessment.

(4) Alternative evidence.

(a) Preparation program providers must review at least two forms of evidence for meeting the content knowledge requirement.

(b) Preparation programs may use the following alternative forms of evidence for their review:

(i) Evidence submitted by candidate to demonstrate expertise in content knowledge;

(ii) Coursework; or

(iii) Other forms of evidence as determined by the program provider.