Teacher Loan Forgiveness Q

I was looking over the application, and im just curious as to why this wording is even in the "highly qualified teacher" section:

"A teacher of middle or secondary school students who is new to the profession also is considered highly qualified if the teacher: • Holds at least a bachelor's degree; and • Has demonstrated a high level of competency in each of the academic subjects in which the teacher teaches by: (1) passing a rigorous state academic subject test in each of the academic subjects in which the teacher teaches (which may consist of a passing level of performance on a state-required certification or licensing test or tests in each of the academic subjects in which the teacher teaches); or (2) successful completion, in each of the academic subjects in which the teacher teaches, of an academic major, a graduate degree, coursework equivalent to an undergraduate academic major, or advanced certification or credentialing."

Don't you need this to be a licensed teacher in the first place?

Anyways. I'm on year 5, but my first 3 years were on an emergency and then 2 years on provisional. I know how it says that you can't be on those, but should i just apy anyway?