A powerful teachers union on Monday proposed a so-called “bar exam” that intends to raise standards for incoming teachers – a move that comes amid calls for broad-scale education union reform.

The proposal by the American Federation of Teachers calls for a nationwide, standardized test that would be administered by state-level unions, similar to the way states host bar exams for lawyers.

Union President Randi Weingarten said the proposed competency test is largely in response to young public-school teachers expressing concerns about being unprepared to enter a classroom.