Educator certification requirements.

(1) APPLICATION.—Each person seeking certification pursuant to this chapter shall submit a completed application containing the applicant’s social security number to the Department of Education and remit the fee required pursuant to s. 1012.59 and rules of the State Board of Education. Pursuant to the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, each party is required to provide his or her social security number in accordance with this section. Disclosure of social security numbers obtained through this requirement is limited to the purpose of administration of the Title IV-D program of the Social Security Act for child support enforcement.

(a) Pursuant to s. 120.60, the department shall issue within 90 calendar days after receipt of the completed application a professional certificate to a qualifying applicant covering the classification, level, and area for which the applicant is deemed qualified and a document explaining the requirements for renewal of the professional certificate.

(b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to a qualifying applicant within 14 calendar days after receipt of a request from an employer with a professional education competence demonstration program pursuant to paragraph (6)(f) and subsection (9). The temporary certificate must cover the classification, level, and area for which the applicant is deemed qualified. The department shall electronically notify the applicant’s employer that the temporary certificate has been issued and provide the applicant an official statement of status of eligibility at the time the certificate is issued.

(c) Pursuant to s. 120.60, the department shall issue within 90 calendar days after receipt of the completed application, if an applicant does not meet the requirements for either certificate, an official statement of status of eligibility.

The statement of status of eligibility must be provided electronically and must advise the applicant of any qualifications that must be completed to qualify for certification. Each method by which an applicant can complete the qualifications for a professional certificate must be included in the statement of status of eligibility. Each statement of status of eligibility is valid for 5 years after its date of issuance, except as provided in paragraph (2)(d).

(2) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.—To be eligible to seek certification, a person must:

(a) Be at least 18 years of age.

(b) File an affidavit that the applicant subscribes to and will uphold the principles incorporated in the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Florida and that the information provided in the application is true, accurate, and complete. The affidavit shall be by original signature or by electronic authentication. The affidavit shall include substantially the following warning:

WARNING: Giving false information in order to obtain or renew a Florida educator’s certificate is a criminal offense under Florida law. Anyone giving false information on this affidavit is subject to criminal prosecution as well as disciplinary action by the Education Practices Commission.

(c) Document receipt of a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, or a nonaccredited institution of higher learning that the Department of Education has identified as having a quality program resulting in a bachelor’s degree, or higher. Each applicant seeking initial certification must have attained at least a 2.5 overall grade point average on a 4.0 scale in the applicant’s major field of study. The applicant may document the required education by submitting official transcripts from institutions of higher education or by authorizing the direct submission of such official transcripts through established electronic network systems. The bachelor’s or higher degree may not be required in areas approved in rule by the State Board of Education as nondegreed areas. The State Board of Education may adopt rules that, for purposes of demonstrating completion of specific certification requirements, allow for the acceptance of college course credits recommended by the American Council for Education (ACE), as posted on an official ACE transcript.

(d) Submit to background screening in accordance with subsection (11). If the background screening indicates a criminal history or if the applicant acknowledges a criminal history, the applicant’s records shall be referred to the investigative section in the Department of Education for review and determination of eligibility for certification. If the applicant fails to provide the necessary documentation requested by the department within 90 days after the date of the receipt of the certified mail request, the statement of eligibility and pending application shall become invalid.

(e) Be of good moral character.

(f) Be competent and capable of performing the duties, functions, and responsibilities of an educator.

(g) Demonstrate mastery of general knowledge pursuant to subsection (3).

(h) Demonstrate mastery of subject area knowledge, pursuant to subsection (5).

(i) Demonstrate mastery of professional preparation and education competence, pursuant to subsection (6), if the person serves as a classroom teacher or school administrator as classified in s. 1012.01(2)(a) and (3)(c), respectively.

(3) MASTERY OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.—Acceptable means of demonstrating mastery of general knowledge are:

(a) Achievement of passing scores on the general knowledge examination required by state board rule;

(b) Documentation of a valid professional standard teaching certificate issued by another state;

(c) Documentation of a valid certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or a national educator credentialing board approved by the State Board of Education;

(d) Documentation of two semesters of successful, full-time or part-time teaching in a Florida College System institution, state university, or private college or university that awards an associate or higher degree and is an accredited institution or an institution of higher education identified by the Department of Education as having a quality program;

(e) Achievement of passing scores, identified in state board rule, on national or international examinations that test comparable content and relevant standards in verbal, analytical writing, and quantitative reasoning skills, including, but not limited to, the verbal, analytical writing, and quantitative reasoning portions of the Graduate Record Examination and the SAT, ACT, and Classic Learning Test. Passing scores identified in state board rule must be at approximately the same level of rigor as is required to pass the general knowledge examinations; or

(f) Documentation of receipt of a master’s or higher degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution that the Department of Education has identified as having a quality program resulting in a baccalaureate degree or higher.

A school district that employs an individual who does not achieve passing scores on any subtest of the general knowledge examination must provide information regarding the availability of state-level and district-level supports and instruction to assist him or her in achieving a passing score. Such information must include, but need not be limited to, state-level test information guides, school district test preparation resources, and preparation courses offered by state universities and Florida College System institutions. The requirement of mastery of general knowledge shall be waived for an individual who has been provided 3 years of supports and instruction and who has been rated effective or highly effective under s. 1012.34 for each of the last 3 years.

(4) ALIGNMENT OF SUBJECT AREAS.—The State Board of Education shall align the subject area examinations to the state academic standards.

(5) MASTERY OF SUBJECT AREA KNOWLEDGE.—Acceptable means of demonstrating mastery of subject area knowledge are:

(a) For a subject requiring only a baccalaureate degree for which a Florida subject area examination has been developed, achievement of a passing score on the Florida-developed subject area examination specified in state board rule;

(b) For a subject for which a Florida subject area examination has not been developed, achievement of a passing score on a standardized examination specified in state board rule, including, but not limited to, passing scores on both the oral proficiency and written proficiency examinations administered by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages;

(c) For a subject for which a Florida subject area examination has not been developed or a standardized examination has not been specified in state board rule, completion of the subject area specialization requirements specified in state board rule and verification of the attainment of the essential subject matter competencies by the district school superintendent of the employing school district or chief administrative officer of the employing state-supported or private school;

(d) For a subject requiring a master’s or higher degree, completion of the subject area specialization requirements specified in state board rule and achievement of a passing score on the Florida-developed subject area examination or a standardized examination that is directly related to the subject specified in state board rule;

(e) Documentation of a valid professional standard teaching certificate issued by another state;

(f) Documentation of a valid certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or a national educator credentialing board approved by the State Board of Education;

(g) Documentation of successful completion of a United States Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center program;

(h) Documentation of a passing score on the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT); or

(i) For a subject requiring only a baccalaureate degree for which a Florida subject area examination has been developed, documentation of receipt of a master’s or higher degree from an accredited postsecondary educational institution that the Department of Education has identified as having a quality program resulting in a baccalaureate degree or higher in the certificate subject area as identified by state board rule.

School districts are encouraged to provide mechanisms for middle grades teachers holding only a K-6 teaching certificate to obtain a subject area coverage for middle grades through postsecondary coursework or district add-on certification.

(6) MASTERY OF PROFESSIONAL PREPARATION AND EDUCATION COMPETENCE.—Acceptable means of demonstrating mastery of professional preparation and education competence are:

(a) Successful completion of an approved teacher preparation program at a postsecondary educational institution within this state and achievement of a passing score on the professional education competency examination required by state board rule;

(b) Successful completion of a teacher preparation program at a postsecondary educational institution outside Florida and achievement of a passing score on the professional education competency examination required by state board rule;

(c) Documentation of a valid professional standard teaching certificate issued by another state;

(d) Documentation of a valid certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or a national educator credentialing board approved by the State Board of Education;

(e) Documentation of two semesters of successful, full-time or part-time teaching in a Florida College System institution, state university, or private college or university that awards an associate or higher degree and is an accredited institution or an institution of higher education identified by the Department of Education as having a quality program and achievement of a passing score on the professional education competency examination required by state board rule;

(f) Successful completion of professional preparation courses as specified in state board rule, successful completion of a professional education competence program pursuant to subsection (9), and documentation of 3 years of being rated effective or highly effective under s. 1012.34 while holding a temporary certificate;

(g) Successful completion of a professional learning certification program, outlined in subsection (8); or

(h) Successful completion of a competency-based certification program pursuant to s. 1004.85 and achievement of a passing score on the professional education competency examination required by rule of the State Board of Education.

The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to implement this subsection, including rules to approve specific teacher preparation programs that are not identified in this subsection which may be used to meet requirements for mastery of professional preparation and education competence.

(7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.—

(a) The Department of Education shall issue a professional certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years to any applicant who fulfills one of the following:

1. Meets all the applicable requirements outlined in subsection (2).

2. For a professional certificate covering grades 6 through 12:

a. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)-(h).

b. Holds a master’s or higher degree in the area of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

c. Teaches a high school course in the subject of the advanced degree.

d. Is rated highly effective as determined by the teacher’s performance evaluation under s. 1012.34, based in part on student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International Certificate of Education, or International Baccalaureate examination.

e. Achieves a passing score on the Florida professional education competency examination required by state board rule.

3. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)-(h) and completes a professional learning certification program approved by the department pursuant to paragraph (8)(c) or an educator preparation institute approved by the department pursuant to s. 1004.85. An applicant who completes one of these programs and is rated highly effective as determined by his or her performance evaluation under s. 1012.34 is not required to take or achieve a passing score on the professional education competency examination in order to be awarded a professional certificate.

(b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to any applicant who:

1. Completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs (2)(a)-(f) and completes the subject area content requirements specified in state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5) and holds an accredited degree or a degree approved by the Department of Education at the level required for the subject area specialization in state board rule;

2. For a subject area specialization for which the state board otherwise requires a bachelor’s degree, documents 48 months of active-duty military service with an honorable discharge or a medical separation; completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and (d)-(f); completes the subject area content requirements specified in state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5); and documents completion of 60 college credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as provided by one or more accredited institutions of higher learning or a nonaccredited institution of higher learning identified by the Department of Education as having a quality program resulting in a bachelor’s degree or higher;

3. Is enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation program under s. 1004.04; is actively completing the required program field experience or internship at a public school; completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and (d)-(f); completes the subject area content requirements specified in state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5); and documents completion of 60 college credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as provided by one or more accredited institutions of higher learning or a nonaccredited institution of higher learning identified by the Department of Education as having a quality program resulting in a bachelor’s degree or higher; or

4. Completes the requirements in paragraphs (2)(a)-(f) and whose previously issued professional certificate has expired.

(c) The department shall issue one nonrenewable 2-year temporary certificate and one nonrenewable 5-year professional certificate to a qualified applicant who holds a bachelor’s degree in the area of speech-language impairment to allow for completion of a master’s degree program in speech-language impairment.

(d) The department shall issue a temporary apprenticeship certificate to any applicant who meets the requirements of paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and (d)-(f).

(e) A person who is issued a temporary certificate under paragraph (b) must be assigned a teacher mentor for a minimum of 2 school years after commencing employment. Each teacher mentor selected by the school district, charter school, or charter management organization must:

1. Hold a valid professional certificate issued pursuant to this section;

2. Have earned at least 3 years of teaching experience in prekindergarten through grade 12; and

3. Have earned an effective or highly effective rating on the prior year’s performance evaluation under s. 1012.34.

(f)1. A temporary certificate is valid for 5 school fiscal years, is limited to a one-time issuance, and is nonrenewable.

2. A temporary apprenticeship certificate issued under paragraph (d) is valid for 5 school years, may be issued only once, and is nonrenewable.

(g) A certificateholder may request that her or his certificate be placed in an inactive status. A certificate that has been inactive may be reactivated upon application to the department. The department shall prescribe, by rule, professional learning requirements as a condition of reactivating a certificate that has been inactive for more than 1 year.

At least 1 year before an individual’s temporary certificate is set to expire, the department shall electronically notify the individual of the date on which his or her certificate will expire and provide a list of each method by which the qualifications for a professional certificate can be completed.

(8) PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.—

(a) The Department of Education shall develop and each school district, charter school, and charter management organization may provide a cohesive competency-based professional learning certification program by which instructional staff may satisfy the mastery of professional preparation and education competence requirements specified in subsection (6) and rules of the State Board of Education. Participants must hold a state-issued temporary certificate. A school district, charter school, or charter management organization that implements the program shall provide a competency-based certification program developed by the Department of Education or developed by the district, charter school, or charter management organization and approved by the Department of Education. These entities may collaborate with other supporting agencies or educational entities for implementation. The program shall include the following:

1. A teacher mentorship and induction component.

a. Each individual selected by the district, charter school, or charter management organization as a mentor:

(I) Must hold a valid professional certificate issued pursuant to this section;

(II) Must have earned at least 3 years of teaching experience in prekindergarten through grade 12;

(III) Must have completed training in clinical supervision and participate in ongoing mentor training provided through the coordinated system of professional learning under s. 1012.98(4);

(IV) Must have earned an effective or highly effective rating on the prior year’s performance evaluation; and

(V) May be a peer evaluator under the district’s evaluation system approved under s. 1012.34.

b. The teacher mentorship and induction component must, at a minimum, provide routine opportunities for mentoring and induction activities, including ongoing professional learning as described in s. 1012.98 targeted to a teacher’s needs, opportunities for a teacher to observe other teachers, co-teaching experiences, and reflection and followup discussions. Professional learning must meet the criteria established in s. 1012.98(3). Mentorship and induction activities must be provided for an applicant’s first year in the program and may be provided until the applicant attains his or her professional certificate in accordance with this section.

2. An assessment of teaching performance aligned to the district’s, charter school’s, or charter management organization’s system for personnel evaluation under s. 1012.34 which provides for:

a. An initial evaluation of each educator’s competencies to determine an appropriate individualized professional learning plan.

b. A summative evaluation to assure successful completion of the program.

3. Professional education preparation content knowledge, which must be included in the mentoring and induction activities under subparagraph 1., that includes, but is not limited to, the following:

a. The state academic standards provided under s. 1003.41, including scientifically researched and evidence-based reading instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading, content literacy, and mathematical practices, for each subject identified on the temporary certificate. Reading instructional strategies for foundational skills shall include phonics instruction for decoding and encoding as the primary instructional strategy for word reading. Instructional strategies may not employ the three-cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for teaching word reading. Instructional strategies may include visual information and strategies which improve background and experiential knowledge, add context, and increase oral language and vocabulary to support comprehension, but may not be used to teach word reading.

b. The educator-accomplished practices approved by the state board.

4. Required achievement of passing scores on the subject area and professional education competency examination required by State Board of Education rule. Mastery of general knowledge must be demonstrated as described in subsection (3).

5. Beginning with candidates entering a program in the 2022-2023 school year, a candidate for certification in a coverage area identified pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(f) must successfully complete all competencies for a reading endorsement, including completion of the endorsement practicum.

(b) Professional learning certification program courses:

1. May not distort significant historical events or include curriculum or instruction that teaches identity politics, violates s. 1000.05, or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.

2. Must afford candidates the opportunity to think critically, achieve mastery of academic program content, learn instructional strategies, and demonstrate competence.

(c) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for the approval and continued approval of professional learning certification programs aligned to paragraph (a). A teacher may not satisfy requirements for a professional certificate through a professional learning certification program unless the program has been approved by the department pursuant to this paragraph.

(9) PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION COMPETENCY PROGRAM.—

(a) Each school district must and a private school or state-supported public school, including a charter school, may develop and maintain a system by which members of the instructional staff may demonstrate mastery of professional preparation and education competence as required by law. Each program must be based on classroom application of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices and instructional performance and, for public schools, must be aligned with the district’s or state-supported public school’s evaluation system established under s. 1012.34, as applicable.

(b) The Commissioner of Education shall determine the continued approval of programs implemented under this paragraph, based upon the department’s review of performance data. The department shall review the performance data as a part of the periodic review of each school district’s professional learning system required under s. 1012.98.

(10) EXAMINATIONS.—

(a) The Commissioner of Education, with the approval of the State Board of Education, may contract for developing, printing, administering, scoring, and appropriate analysis of the written examinations required.

(b) The State Board of Education shall, by rule, specify the examination scores that are required for the issuance of a professional certificate and temporary certificate. Such rules must define generic subject area competencies and must establish uniform evaluation guidelines.

(c) The State Board of Education shall designate the certification areas for subject area examinations. All required examinations may be taken prior to graduation.

(d) The department shall provide procedures for an applicant who fails an examination developed by the department or by an entity under contract with the department to review his or her examination questions and his or her incorrectly answered responses to the questions. The applicant bears the actual cost for the department to provide an examination review pursuant to this subsection. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, only an applicant who fails an examination within a score range established by rule of the State Board of Education is entitled to an examination review under this paragraph or to challenge the validity of the examination.

(e) For any examination developed by this state, the Department of Education and the State Board of Education shall maintain confidentiality of the examination, developmental materials, and workpapers, which are exempt from s. 119.07(1).

(f) The examinations used for demonstration of mastery of general knowledge, professional education competence, and subject area knowledge shall be aligned with student standards approved by the state board. The delivery system for these examinations shall provide for overall efficiency, user-friendly application, reasonable accessibility to prospective teachers, and prompt attainment of examination results. The examination of competency for demonstration of subject area knowledge shall be sufficiently comprehensive to assess subject matter expertise for individuals who have acquired subject knowledge either through college credit or by other means.

(g) All examination instruments, including developmental materials and workpapers directly related thereto, which are prepared, prescribed, or administered pursuant to this section shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and from s. 1001.52. Provisions governing access to, maintenance of, and destruction of such instruments and related materials shall be prescribed by rules of the State Board of Education.

(11) BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIRED, INITIALLY AND PERIODICALLY.—

(a) Each person who seeks certification under this chapter must be fingerprinted and screened in accordance with s. 1012.32 and must not be ineligible for such certification under s. 1012.315. A person who has been screened in accordance with s. 1012.32 by a district school board or the Department of Education within 12 months before the date the person initially obtains certification under this chapter, the results of which are submitted to the district school board or to the Department of Education, is not required to repeat the screening under this paragraph. Beginning January 1, 2025, or a later date as determined by the Agency for Health Care Administration, the background screening must be conducted through the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse under s. 435.12.

(b) To maintain the safety and well-being of children and the integrity of the system of public education, a person may not be certified under this chapter to have the responsibility for the safety and well-being of children until the person’s screening under s. 1012.32 is completed and the results have been submitted to the Department of Education or to the person’s employer. Every 5 years after obtaining initial certification, each person who is required to be certified under this chapter must be rescreened in accordance with s. 1012.32, at which time the employer shall request the Department of Law Enforcement to forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for federal criminal records checks pursuant to s. 435.12.

(c) If, for any reason after obtaining initial certification, the fingerprints of a person who is required to be certified under this chapter are not retained by the Department of Law Enforcement under s. 1012.32(3), the person must file a complete set of fingerprints with the employer. Upon submission of fingerprints for this purpose, the employer shall request the Department of Law Enforcement to forward the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for federal criminal records checks, and the fingerprints shall be retained by the Department of Law Enforcement under s. 1012.32(3). The cost of the state and federal criminal history checks required by paragraph (a) and this paragraph may be borne by the employer or the employee. Under penalty of perjury, each person who is certified under this chapter must agree to inform his or her employer within 48 hours if convicted of any disqualifying offense while he or she is employed in a position for which such certification is required.

(d) If it is found under s. 1012.796 that a person who is employed in a position requiring certification under this chapter has not been screened in accordance with s. 1012.32, or is ineligible for such certification under s. 1012.315, the person’s certification shall be immediately revoked or suspended and he or she shall be immediately suspended from the position requiring certification.

(12) NONCITIZENS.—

(a) The State Board of Education may adopt rules for issuing certificates to noncitizens who are needed to teach and who are legally admitted to the United States through the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. The filing of a written oath to uphold the principles of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Florida, required under paragraph (2)(b), does not apply to individuals assigned to teach on an exchange basis.

(b) A certificate may not be issued to a citizen of a nation controlled by forces that are antagonistic to democratic forms of government, except to an individual who has been legally admitted to the United States through the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

(13) DENIAL OF CERTIFICATE.—

(a) The Department of Education may deny an applicant a certificate if the department possesses evidence satisfactory to it that the applicant has committed an act or acts, or that a situation exists, for which the Education Practices Commission would be authorized to discipline a certified educator.

(b) The decision of the department is subject to review by the Education Practices Commission upon the filing of a written request from the applicant within 20 days after receipt of the notice of denial. Upon review, the commission may deny the award of a certificate, bar an applicant from reapplying for a certificate, or allow the award of a certificate with one or more of the following conditions:

1. Probation for a period of time.

2. Restriction on the scope of practice.

3. Issuance of a letter of reprimand.

4. Referral to the recovery network program provided in s. 1012.798 under such terms and conditions as the commission may specify.

5. Imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed $2,000 for each count or separate offense.

(14) STATE BOARD RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536 and 120.54, as necessary to implement this section.

(15) PRIOR APPLICATION.—Persons who apply for certification are governed by the law and rules in effect at the time of application for issuance of the initial certificate, provided that continuity of certificates is maintained.

(16) PERSONNEL RECORDS.—The Department of Education shall maintain an electronic database that includes, but need not be limited to, the academic preparation, professional training, and teaching experience of each person to whom a certificate is issued. The applicant or the district school superintendent shall furnish the information using a format provided by the department.

(17) AUTHORITY OF COMMISSIONER.—The Commissioner of Education may make decisions regarding an applicant’s certification under extenuating circumstances not otherwise provided for in statute or by rule. However, an applicant for certification approved by the commissioner must possess the credentials, knowledge, and skills necessary to provide quality education in the public schools.