A teaching certificate is the professional license to teach.  It is the teacher’s responsibility as a professional to comply with all laws for State certification. The following list of reminders will assist you in maintaining certification compliance for continued employment.

OUT-OF-FIELD TEACHERS: When you complete a subject area examination to satisfy out-of-field, you must also add that area to your certificate by submitting an application and fee. You will remain out-of-field until you have added that area to your certificate. Remember, failure to complete requirements for out-of-field (even in ESOL) could result in termination of your employment! YOU must present proof of credit to the Duval County Certification office. Don’t forget to use ACP in-service, highly qualified status, or PDA-ESE module credit (if you have it) for out of field credit.

ESOL: If you were flagged in the past as needing 300 ESOL points and have satisfied that requirement, you must have that ESOL endorsement added to your certificate by submitting an application and fee. You will remain out-of-field and require parent notification until you have added the endorsement to your certificate. Contact the office of Professional Development for additional information on ESOL workshops. Failure to comply with laws for ESOL could result in termination of your employment!

PART-TIME TEACHERS: Be aware that part-time teachers must be certified just as full-time teachers to avoid termination of employment. Keep in mind that if you are in this status, you may not earn enough experience to satisfy the practical teaching requirement for a Professional Certificate. A total of 451 clock hours in one school year will constitute a full year. Two full years of teaching experience are required. Substitute teaching experience won’t suffice.

DEADLINE: Be aware of the “June 30” deadline. It can approach very quickly. All out-of-field requirements and newly-issued certificates to cover the next school year are due in the county Certification office at that time. If your temporary certificate expires THIS June 30, a copy of your professional certificate will be due on that day. If your Professional Certificate expires June 30, a copy of your renewed professional certificate is due on that day.   If you were hired on or before the first day of school and hold or will hold a Temporary Certificate, you must pass all portions of the General Knowledge Exam by June 30 of the current school year. Note: Passing CLAST scores will satisfy this requirement if passed prior to July 1, 2002. Failure to comply with these deadlines will result in termination of your employment. The Essay portion of the General Knowledge exam is not available for computer-based testing and must be taken during regular or supplemental test dates. If you have a valid professional standard teaching certificate from another state, don’t forget to have it reviewed months ahead of time for the possibility of satisfying Florida requirements. Two semesters of appropriate full-time college teaching experience may also satisfy the General Knowledge requirement. Contact the Certification Office for details.

RENEWAL: If you are renewing with college credit or examinations, you must do so at the 1701 Prudential Drive certification office. If you are renewing with any amount of in-service points, you must renew at the Professional Development office at the TEAM Center (348-7847) with Dee Dee Lobaugh. Ms. Lobaugh can also assist you with verifying the number of in-service points you have earned in Duval County.  However, each school has a designated contact person who can also access this information for you more readily.

COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION: On many occasions teachers fail to complete the application for certification.   A completed application has all sections completed and is submitted with the appropriate fee, official transcript(s) of course work  (showing degree conferral) and any other supporting documentation (such as arrest information)  required to process certification.  When all information is appropriately submitted to the DOE, the certification application can be processed in less than 30 days.