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florida certification facts

quick facts about florida certification

certification office procedures | certification frequently asked questions | alternative certification
GENERAL QUESTIONS OUT OF FIELD QUESTIONS TEMPORARY AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE QUESTIONS EXAMINATIONS QUESTIONS RENEWALS/REINSTATEMENT QUESTIONS NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION QUESTIONS

GENERAL

Q: What types of certificates does Florida offer?
A:
  • Three-year Nonrenewable Temporary Certificate
  • Five-year Renewable Professional Certificate
  • Two-year Athletic Coaching (Part-Time)
  • Five-year Athletic Coaching (Part-Time)
Q: Does Florida issue emergency certificates?
A: No.
Q: I have a bachelor's degree. Can I teach?
A: If you can be certified, you may be eligible to teach. A bachelor's degree alone does not make you eligible for employment. You must have at least a bachelor's degree and be eligible for certification in some subject coverage.
Q: Will you accept my transcripts without a degree conferral date?
A: At least a bachelor's degree is required for certification. As a result, we will not accept a transcript without a degree conferral date. Two sets of official transcripts are required. Both sets must reflect a degree conferral date.
Q: What are the routes to become certified?
A:
  • Acceptable degree major
  • Course-by-course-evaluation
  • Valid equivalent professional out-of-state teaching certificate
  • Subject area examination
  • National Certification
Q: If I attain certification by completing the subject area examination, do I still have to complete any course work?
A: Yes, you have to complete the professional preparation coursework requirement.
Q: What are the acceptable degree majors?
A: Please log onto the state certification web page at www.fldoe.org/edcert/ for further information.
Q: Would past legal troubles prevent me from becoming certified?
A: The Bureau of Educator Standards (BES) office will make this determination. Any applications or fingerprints that reflect a criminal record will be forwarded to the office of BES for review. No certificate can be issued until clearance has been declared. For more info, contact the BES office at (850) 488-2481.
Q: Do I have to apply for a temporary certificate or can I apply initially for a professional certificate?
A: You may apply for a professional certificate if you have completed all 3 examinations, professional education course work and verification of demonstration of professional education competency (PEC). If these are not completed, you should apply for a temporary certificate.
Q: Where can I find information about teaching vacancies in Duval County?
A: Job Line (904) 390-2059, www.duvalschools.org OR https://duvaljobs.duvalschools.org
Q: My overall GPA is below a 2.5. Can I still be certified?
A: GPA is considered satisfied when an individual meets specialization through a teacher education program, certificate and experience or a certificate issued by a subject area testing state. If you must be evaluated based on a course-by-course evaluation, you must maintain a 2.5 GPA in the courses used in the evaluation.
Q: What is the fee for certification?
A: A $75.00 fee is required for each subject area requested.
OUT OF FIELD
Q: Can I teach in an area in which I am not certified?
A: It may be possible to teach Out-Of-Field. Initially you must be eligible for certification in some subject area. This can only be done at the discretion of a school principal and the staffing supervisor. This is usually done for only the critical needs areas - Math, Science and Special Education. In order to remain in this assignment, you must complete 6 semester hours of appropriate course work per year.
Q: How long can I teach out-of-field?
A: As long as you complete the appropriate course work of 6 hours per year, you may remain out-of-field. Once you have completed all specialization requirements and have added the subject to your certificate, you will be considered in-field.
Q: I have been flagged for being out-of-field in ESOL. What are my requirements?
A:
  • If you are the primary language arts teacher for this student, you must complete 300 ESOL hours of in-service points or the 5 appropriate classes must be taken. You must also have the ESOL endorsement added to your certificate. Sixty ( 60) points are required each year you have an ESOL child in your classroom.
  • If you teach math, science, social studies, computer science or ESE, you only need to complete sixty( 60) ESOL points. If you teach music, art, media, or vocational classes, you must complete eighteen (18) hours of ESOL points. Guidance Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, Reading Resource Teachers and administrators, must also complete eighteen (18) hours of ESOL points.
  • If you are an experienced teacher, your points are required during the first year flagged. An inexperienced teacher must produce points within two years of being flagged.
TEMPORARY / PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES
Q: What are the requirements for a temporary certificate?
A:
  • Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • Satisfy specialization
  • Obtain employment
  • Submit fingerprints
Q: What are the requirements for a five-year professional certificate?
A: In addition to the requirements listed above for a temporary certificate:
  • Demonstrate mastery of professional preparation and education competence. Professional preparation includes 20 semester hours of education coursework. Education Competence refers to the completion of the Teacher Induction Program.
  • Completion of the General Knowledge and Professional Education exams and the appropriate subject area examinations.
    • Complete Practical Experience in Teaching
Additional routes can be found at www.fldoe.org/edcert/
Q: Can I get an extension to my three-year temporary certificate?
A: An extension can only be granted if the following conditions are met:
  • Applicant must have experienced extreme, extraordinary circumstances beyond his or her control.
  • Applicant must have completed requirements for demonstration of mastery of general knowledge.
  • The superintendent must seek approval from the Commissioner of Education.
EXAMINATIONS
Q: Where can I get information about the certification examinations?
A: You can come by and pick up a testing bulletin or you may call:
Q: I have never taught before. I am interested in teaching. Do I have to take any examinations to become certified to teach?
A: No examinations are required for a temporary certificate. If you are satisfying certification specialization requirements by completion of the subject area examination method, an examination would be required for a temporary certificate.
Q: What examinations are required for a professional certificate?
A:
  • General Knowledge Examination
  • Professional Education Examination
  • Subject Area Examination
Q: How long do I have to complete the examinations?
A: You have the validity of your temporary certificate to complete the professional education and subject area examinations. The General Knowledge Examination must be completed within your first year of employment - (June 30th).
Q: Are there any subject area examinations that I cannot take to satisfy specialization requirements?
A: Yes, this testing option is only available to areas that only require bachelor's degrees. It is not available for areas that require a master's degree. Excluded areas include:
  • School Psychologist
  • Reading
  • Guidance and Counseling
  • Educational Leadership
  • Administration of Adult Education
  • Speech-Language Impaired
  • Local Director of Vocational Education
Q: Is there any help available to prepare for the examinations?
A: Yes, you may order a study guide from the testing office (see numbers/site above) or you may order these using the order form located on the back of the testing bulletin.
Q: I lost my score report. Will you accept a copy? How can I get another score report?
A: The Department of Education only accepts official score reports. You may contact the testing office to request a duplicate score report.
RENEWALS/REINSTATEMENT
Q: When do I apply for the renewal of my professional certificate?
A: You may apply within the last validity year of your professional certificate.
Q: What are the requirements for the renewal of my professional certificate?
A: You must complete six (6) semester hours, or 120 in-service points within the validity period of your Professional Certificate. You may also utilize an appropriate subject area examination or your NBPTS certification to satisfy renewal requirements. A combination of these aforementioned routes are acceptable. If you are using any combination of in-service points to renew your certificate, you must contact professional development at (904-348-7847). If no in-service points are being used, you may contact the certification office at (904-390-2376).
Q: What happens if my professional certificate expires?
A:
  • If you have completed the necessary requirements within the validity period of your Professional Certificate and your certificate has not expired for more than (1) year, you may submit a renewal application, $75.00 fee, along with a $30.00 late fee.
  • If you have not completed the necessary requirements, you can apply for reinstatement. To reinstate, you will need an application, $75.00 fee, 6 semester hours or the equivalent and the subject area examination.
NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION
Q: What are the requirements for National Board Certification?
A:
  • 3 years of full time teaching experience (excludes guidance counseling)
  • 1 year must be completed in a Florida public school system or private or parochial school under Florida certification guidelines
  • Hold a valid Florida teaching certificate (temporary or professional)
  • Successful teaching evaluations for each year claimed as teaching experience toward National Board Certification
Q: How can I obtain information about beginning the process for National Board Certification?
A:
  • Duval Teachers United (904-396-4063) sponsors workshops and information sessions for interested candidates to learn about the requirements for National Board certification, which are comprehensive and detailed. Timelines will be provided in these meetings as well as a broad overview of the certification procedure. Applications for National Board certification are accepted between May and September of each year for those candidates wishing to utilize the state fee subsidy.
  • You may also access the National Board Certification website at www.nbpts.org for comprehensive information relating to this certification procedure which will encompass one school year.
  • Applications for National Board candidacy may be obtained between May 15th and September 1st of each year from the Duval County School Board Administration Building or from the Duval Teachers United upon attending their informational meetings, or by visiting the website as referenced above.
  • A fee subsidy of $2,070 is paid by the Department of Education for candidates wishing to begin the National Board Certification procedure. A check or money order for $230 is paid to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards by the candidate at the time that an application is submitted. Applications are due in the Teacher Certification Office no later than September 15th of each year to take advantage of the state fee subsidy program.
Q: Are there supplements awarded for National Board Certification?
A: Yes. The county pays a $2500 per year supplement (paid incrementally in the paychecks) and the state pays 10% of the average annual state teaching salary.
Q: May I renew my Florida teaching certificate with my National Board certificate?
A: Yes. You may renew your valid professional (5 year) Florida teaching certificate for two validity periods with your National Board teaching certificate once it has been awarded to you.
Q: What happens if I find that I have to withdraw from the National Board Candidacy?
A:
  • Candidates for National Board certification are cautioned to remember that the process is lengthy and time consuming. Expect to spend up to 400 hours of preparation for National Board Certification. If circumstances dictate withdrawal, a fee of $70 is incurred upon withdrawing before a portfolio due date. A fee of $2,070 is incurred upon withdrawing after a portfolio due date and all candidates sign a promissory note held by the Department of Education at the time an application and check is submitted to begin National Board candidacy
  • As directed in the application booklet, candidates will furnish a written withdrawal request to the Department of Education along with the check or money order for reimbursement in the appropriate amount as determined by the withdrawal date and a withdrawal request to the NBPTS Processing Center. A copy of the withdrawal request shall be forwarded to the county contact person in the Duval County School Board Office (Teacher Certification) as well. Comprehensive information will be furnished in the application booklet
Q: Are there opportunities for retaking certain parts of the examinations?
A:
  • Yes. Information regarding retakes and "banking" work already completed toward the portfolio will be provided in the application booklet furnished to each candidate. Information may also be obtained from the NBPTS website. www.nbpts.org.
  • Candidates for National Board Certification will receive information regarding the state lottery for funding retake examinations. The lottery may afford an opportunity for a retake that would be free of charge to the candidate.
Q: What happens if I accept a change of assignment that would take me out of full-time classroom teaching?
A: Teachers who obtain National Board Certification must remember that bonuses are awarded ONLY to full-time classroom teachers in contact with students each period during the duty day. Unless an amendment is approved by an appropriate governing body in the future, guidance counselors, psychologists, school based administrators, and teacher coaches are presently excluded from receiving bonuses connected with National Board Certification. Accepting a change of assignment that removes the teacher from the classroom necessitates forfeiture of a bonus from the county and the state.
Q: How may I become a mentor once I have received National Board Certification?
A:
  • Teachers who have obtained National Board Certification may become qualified mentors and receive a state bonus for mentoring National Board candidates. A state mentoring bonus is based on a calculation of 10% of the statewide average teacher's salary to which additional bonuses may be added pending legislative approval each year.
  • The mentor must be a classroom teacher, hold a valid National Board Certificate, mentor at least 88.7 hours (equivalent to 12 workdays), and demonstrate satisfactory teaching performance as validated in the annual teacher evaluation. Mentors will keep logs to be turned in by May 31st of each year. Mentoring is not performed during a duty day with the exception of a planning period.
  • Mentors work in 2 of 3 categories: national board candidates, new teachers, or teachers placed on a success plan. Mentoring MAY include workshop training as approved by Professional Development, but workshops/conferences may not be attended exclusively (in lieu of working in the referenced categories).
  • It is the responsibility of the mentor to contact the county National Board Certification Contact Individual to advise of the desire to provide mentoring services. Upon contact, two forms shall be forwarded to the mentor for immediate completion: the letter of intent to mentor and the bonus request form which shall be forwarded to the state at the end of the year for the bonus payment. Failure to complete and return these forms shall delay or invalidate a bonus payment at the end of the year.
  • Mentoring involves collegiality with other National Board teachers and mentors to determine fully what activities may be included as part of the mentoring log.
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