Florida Educator Certification Renewal

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Submit the completed application for Renewal of a Professional Florida Educator's Certificate (download renewal application) along with the $75 money order according to the following directions:

Note: Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are not accepted for renewal.

RENEWAL BY USE OF COLLEGE CREDIT ONLY

• Mail the completed application with payment and an OFFICIAL transcript to Instructional Certification (Mail Code 9305).

RENEWAL BY USE OF MASTER PLAN POINTS ONLY

• Mail the completed application with payment to Instructional Certification (Mail Code 9305).

RENEWAL BY USE OF A COMBINATION OF MASTER PLAN POINTS AND COLLEGE CREDIT

• Mail the completed application with payment and an OFFICIAL transcript to Instructional Certification (Mail Code 9305).

Requirements for renewal:

• Six (6) semester hours of college credit or equivalent must be earned during each renewal period.
• Renewal requirements must be completed during the validity period of the Professional Certificate and prior to the expiration of the Professional Certificate. It is the responsibility of each applicant to obtain current information regarding renewal requirements.
• The application form and fee must be submitted during the last year of the validity period and prior to the expiration of the Professional Certificate. A renewal form can be submitted after the expiration of the Professional Certificate only if the requirements were completed prior to the expiration of the Professional Certificate and if the application, fee, and a $30 late fee are submitted prior to July 1 of the year following the expiration of the certificate.
• A grade of "C" or better must be earned in each college course used for renewal. A grade of "pass" or "satisfactory" is an acceptable grade.
• A subject that is deleted from the certificate at the request of the certificate holder or due to non-completion of renewal requirements can only be added again if all requirements which are in effect when the application is submitted are met.
• College level credits used for certificate renewal must be completed at an accredited college or university or a non-accredited college or university that has been approved by the Florida Department of Education.

Appropriate Categories for Renewal

• Content specific to the subject area(s)
• Methods or education strategies specific to the subject area(s)
• Methods of teaching reading and literacy skills acquisition
• Computer literacy, computer applications, and computer education
• Exceptional student education
• ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
• Drug abuse, child abuse and neglect, or student dropout prevention
• Training related to the goals of the Florida K-20 System, such as:
  • Content - English, economics, mathematics, science, social sciences, foreign languages, humanities, global economy, technology, ecology, first aid, health, or safety
  • Classroom Strategies - Cooperative learning, problem-solving skills, critical-thinking skills, classroom management, child development, collaboration techniques for working with families, social services, child guidance and counseling, teaching reading, or educational assessments, etc.
  • School Administration Accountability - Instructional design, leadership skills, school and community relations, school finance, school facilities, school law, or school organization
  • Vocational and Adult Education Accountability - Adult learning, principles of adult or vocational education, vocational education for students with special needs, or vocational guidance

College Credit Equivalency

• Sixty (60) inservice points in an approved Florida master inservice program are equivalent to three (3) semester hours of college credit.
• A passing numerical score on the Florida subject area test specific to the coverage to be renewed is equivalent to three (3) semester hours of college credit for renewal purposes.
• A valid certificate issued by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards will renew the Florida certificate only in the subject(s) shown on the national certificate.
• Teaching a college level course at an acceptable institution may be accepted the same as credit earned for that course.

College Level Examination Program® (CLEP®)

Florida educators can use college credit earned through CLEP to renew their teaching certification. CLEP exams test knowledge that corresponds to a variety of college-level courses, including Introduction to Educational Psychology and Spanish, French, and German Language. For more information click College Level Examination Program®.

Retention of Subjects

Six (6) semester hours of college credit or equivalent must be earned during each renewal period to renew your certificate. See information below for retaining all subjects on your certificate.

Retaining One Subject Coverage
At least three (3) semester hours or equivalent must meet the criteria in the section entitled “Appropriate Categories for Renewal.”

Retaining Two Subject Coverages
All six (6) semester hours or equivalent must meet the criteria in the section entitled “Appropriate Categories for Renewal” to retain each subject.

Retaining More than Two Subject Coverages
You may use two consecutive validity periods to renew all coverages as follows:

• First Renewal Period
  At least three (3) semester hours or equivalent must meet the criteria in the section entitled “Appropriate Categories for Renewal” in at least one subject area on your certificate. This will retain all subjects for the next validity period.
• Second Renewal Period
  Three (3) semester hours or equivalent must be earned for each additional subject you want to retain on your certificate. The credit must meet the criteria in the section entitled “Appropriate Categories for Renewal.” A minimum of six (6) semester hours or equivalent is required to renew the certificate. If you have more than four subjects you want to retain, you must complete more than six (6) semester hours or equivalent during the second validity period

For information on appropriate coursework for renewal, please go to http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/renew.asp