Florida Educator Certification

Information and Steps for Catholic School Teachers

Getting Started

This website was developed to assist and guide Catholic School teachers seeking information on obtaining and maintaining their Florida Educator Certification. All of the pages on this site include links directly to the specific content at the Florida Department of Education Certification website.

Florida has 2 types of Educator Certificates

1. Professional certificate renewable every 5 years
2. Temporary non-renewable certificate valid for 3 school years

Go to Certification Steps for instructions on getting started with your application or go directly to the online application page here

Florida Certification Online Application

For initial Temporary or Professional, subject add-on or to renew or reinstate your Florida Educator certificate, please apply here.

Questions? Check the status of your application?

If you need to check the status of your application or certification, please use any of the following methods; You may login to your account to check your status here

After viewing this site, if you have questions or need assistance after contacting the Florida Department of Education, email [email protected] and provide your name, DOE#, and attach a copy of your Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE).

Certification Steps

Initial Steps for Florida Educator Certification

Application

Apply online here for temporary, professional, subject add-on or apply for renewal or reinstatement (Note: If not eligible for reinstatement of expired professional, applicant must apply for initial temporary certification)

Submit Official Degree Transcripts and/or Credential Evaluation Report

Official Degree Transcripts should be sent to the Office of Catholic Schools to the attention of Domenick Russo with copies of any valid out of state or national certificate when applicable. A Credential Evaluation Report is required for foreign trained applicants.

Receive Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE)

An official statement of status of eligibility is issued after evaluation of the transcripts and degree major by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) outlining the path toward professional certification. The SOE indicates whether the applicant is eligible or not eligible.

Certification Background Screening

• New hires and teachers with eligible SOE's must schedule their certification screening appointment to obtain their initial Florida certification.
• Office of Catholic Schools then processes the formal district issue request form to FDOE.
• Go to the Certification Screening page for instructions.

All certification related documents such as official transcripts, credential evaluation report or I-9 forms used for certification must be sent to:
Archdiocese of Miami, Office of Catholic Schools, Attn: Domenick Russo, 9401 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami Shores, Fl. 33138

Allow 4-6 weeks for processing and issuance of your Florida Educator Certificate.

Please also visit Certification Steps here.

Foreign Trained Applicants

Applicants with Foreign Academic Training

Do NOT send original foreign diplomas or original foreign transcripts to the Bureau of Educator Certification. Documents submitted to the Bureau of Educator Certification become part of the applicant's permanent certification record and cannot be returned.

Applicants who completed academic training outside the United States should submit the documentation described below with the completed CG-10 application form and processing fee. Additional information is provided for individuals who are not citizens of the United States.

Credential evaluation report of United States equivalency. The applicant must submit an original credential evaluation report that includes a statement of United States degree equivalency and a breakdown of coursework into descriptive course titles and semester-hour credits. Photocopies are not accepted.

The credential evaluation report may be provided by one of the following

• An accredited four-year college or university in the United States
• A current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
• A current member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)
• A credential evaluation agency approved by the Bureau of Educator Certification. Please see Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies for the current list of agencies that have requested and received approval from the Bureau of Educator Certification. Criteria for approval of credential evaluation agencies are outlined in State Board of Education Rule 6A-4.003.

Noncitizens

An applicant who is not a United States citizen may apply for the Statement of Status of Eligibility. However, appropriate immigration status must be established through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prior to employment. The Bureau of Educator Certification cannot provide assistance with visas since this is strictly an employment issue. Consequently, matters related to immigration status or visas should be discussed with any prospective employer. Upon employment in an approved Florida school, the employer must submit appropriate documentation of immigration status to the Bureau of Educator Certification as one requirement for issuance of a Florida Educator Certificate.

Contact Educator Certification

Go here for additional information.

Fieldprint Certification Screening

For Florida Educator Certification Only

Applicants for Florida Educator Certification must have an unexpired eligible Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE) prior to scheduling an appointment. You must be employed or have an offer of employment before scheduling your certification screening appointment.

To schedule a fingerprinting appointment for Florida Educator Certification

1. Go to Fieldprint website at www.fieldprintflorida.com
2. Click “Schedule An Appointment”. DO NOT schedule an appointment if you do not have an "eligible" SOE
3. In the Reason why you need to be fingerprinted screen; select the web link: I know my Fieldprint Code.
4. Please enter the following access code: FPAOMCertification
5. The access code IS case sensitive.
6. Provide contact and demographic info. The information requested on the scheduling site is the information required by FDLE/FBI in order to process the criminal search.
7. From this point forward the website will prompt for the required information to find a local collection facility and schedule an appointment. Instructions, directions, maps, and photos will all be provided directly online.
8. There is a mandatory fee required from the Florida Department of Education
9. Please use correct SSN and date of birth or the report will not be valid
10. If there are any issues or questions, please contact the Fieldprint customer service team at (877) 614-4364 or at [email protected] or select the “Contact Us” link from the website.

Caution

• Certification screening does not satisfy ADOM employment screening which has a different code.
• ADOM employment screening does not satisfy Florida Department of Education requirements for background screening for certification.
• Non-US citizen applicants must provide a copy of Employment Eligibility Form I-9 if requested on their SOE.

CLICK HERE for additional information on the background screening process for certification.

Statement of Status of Eligibility

The Official Statement is valid for three years and has two functions

• Officially states whether or not "you are eligible" for a Temporary Certificate or a Professional Certificate in the subject you applied for, and
• Provides you with a list of the requirements you must complete to be issued professional certification in Florida.

If Your Official Statement Shows that "You Are Eligible" for a Certificate

1. Your Florida Temporary Certificate is issued when
   • Your Official Statement states that "you are eligible" for at least a Temporary Certificate, and
   • You are employed as a teacher or have an offer of employment from one of the Archdiocese Catholic Schools.
   • You have scheduled and completed your Fieldprint digital livescan Certification screening (see CERTIFICATION STEPS)
2. When your certificate is issued, the list of requirements on your Official Statement must be completed before the expiration date of your Temporary Certificate.
3. If your Official Statement expires before you are employed in a Florida school, you may re-apply for a new Official Statement. You will be then evaluated for eligibility based upon the certification laws and rules in effect at the time your next application is received.

What to do if you are "Not Eligible" for a Certificate

1. Applicants for bachelors degree subject areas, the SAE (subject area exam) is recommended to qualify for the subject area applied.
2. Applicants for masters degree subject areas, the graduate degree transcripts for the specific specialty area and the SAE (subject area exam) are recommended to qualify.
3. Once you have qualified for the subject area, send official transcripts and copy of your score report to the Office of Catholic Schools attention Domenick Russo.

CLICK HERE for further details on SOE evaluations, please visit here

Professional Mentoring Program

The Archdiocese of Miami Professional Mentoring Program (PMP) is a Florida Department of Education approved program to satisfy the Professional Education Competence stated on the SOE (statement of status of eligibility)

Non education majors and those certification applicants who have not completed a college teacher education program will need to enroll in the PMP program. PMP enrollment is announced at the beginning of every school year. You may not enroll in PMP if your temporary certificate has expired.

To enroll in the PMP program, you must have a valid Florida Temporary Certificate. To complete PMP, all requirements of the program including passing all 4 portions of the General Knowledge exams must be completed.

For details on options to satisfy Professional Education Competence, please visit here

Professional Preparation Requirements

Changes to Rule 6A-4.006, Professional Preparation Requirements Effective January 1, 2016

To more closely align with the priority teacher competencies and requirements of Florida state-approved teacher preparation programs, the courses listed in the college course analysis option for professional preparation were updated for initial applications received January 1, 2016 and later.

Requirements as of January 1, 2016:

A minimum of 15 semester hours in education courses with credit in each of the professional education areas listed below

• Classroom management with a focus on creating safe learning environments for students
• Child and adolescent development including theories and principles of learning
• Educational assessment practices that include analysis and application of data to improve instruction and learning
• Effective instructional techniques, strategies, and materials to meet the needs of diverse learners, including students with disabilities
• Applications of research-based instructional practices in reading
• Instructional strategies for teaching students of limited English proficiency including instruction in the English language, and
• Practical experience in teaching by completing one year of full-time teaching experience in an elementary or secondary school.

The major changes to note are

1. The new requirement for instructional strategies for teaching students of limited English proficiency (i.e. ESOL instructional strategies) applies to all applicants and teaching experience cannot be used to meet this requirement.
2. The instructional practices in reading course requirement now applies to ALL subjects classified as either Academic or Degreed Career and Technical (i.e. Vocational), including K-12 subjects such as Computer Science, Exceptional Student Education, or World Languages. This reading requirement does not apply to administrative subjects or those classified as specialty (e.g. Ed Media Specialist, School Psychologist).
3. There is no longer a course requirement for special methods of teaching the subject.
4. Remember, as of October 26, 2015, a passing grade of “C” or higher must be earned for each course to be used in professional preparation.

Appropriate Courses

Please note that even though the specific wording of the individual course requirements were changed, generally the same courses that were appropriate to meet the similarly worded requirements in the previous version of the Rule for Professional Preparation, will still be acceptable. For example, a course titled “Child Psychology “ will still be acceptable to meet the new requirement for “Child and Adolescent Development and Learning”.

Application of Teaching Experience in lieu of three semester hours (one requirement) in professional preparation did not change; however, as noted above the new requirement for ESOL instructional strategies CANNOT be met through the use of one year of teaching experience.

For more information, please visit here

FTCE and FELE Exams

Florida Teacher Certification Exams

FTCE / FELE Program Website

Information with exam dates, description of exams, testing requirements, locations, study guides and online registrations.

• FTCE - Florida Teacher Certification Examinations: The FTCE is administered to educators seeking initial certification in the K-12 system. Educator candidates take one of 42 subject area examinations, as well as the General Knowledge Test and Professional Education Test.
• FELE - Florida Educational Leadership Examination: The FELE is administered to educators seeking initial certification as educational administrators in the K-12 system. Administrator candidates take the FELE as well as the General Knowledge Test and Professional Education Test.

Exam requirements are listed here

• Subject area exam (SAE) for the subject area in which you have submitted a CG-10 application or for subject area listed on your SOE.
• Professional Education Test
General Knowledge Exams (English, Reading, Essay and Math)

For additional information on FTCE exams, please go here.

Subject Add-on

To add a bachelors degree subject area to your valid temporary or professional certificate, please complete the following steps

1. Submit CG-10 for the subject desired at flcertify.fldoe.org/datamart/login.do
2. Pass the appropriate SAE (subject area exam)

To add a masters degree subject area to your valid temporary or professional certificate, please complete the following steps

1. Submit CG-10 for the subject desired at flcertify.fldoe.org/datamart/login.do
2. Submit official graduate degree transcripts
3. Pass the appropriate SAE (subject area exam)

Test Registration Information

Fees and Payment Information

Test Sites

Test Offerings

Registration

Retake Registration

Rescheduling, Refund, and Absentee Policies

Computer-Based Testing

Examinees with a Disability

Admission Tickets and Online Confirmations

FTCE/FELE Questions?

To register or to obtain specific information, visit www.fl.nesinc.com or call FTCE/FELE Customer Service toll-free at (866) 613-3281 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Mon.– Fri., excluding holidays. (The Automated Information System is available by phone 24 hours daily.)

For additional information, please go here

Certification Renewal

Florida Educator Certificate Renewal Requirements.

All renewal options and requirements must be completed within the validity dates of the Professional certificate to qualify for renewal.

• Renewal requires six (6) semester hours of college credit or 120 total inservice points.
• Total MIP must include (1) semester hour or 20 inservice points in teaching students with disabilities regardless of the subject area on the certificate. (Shown as (ESE) component on the MIP transcripts).
• Subject area exam (SAE) in area of certification is equivalent to (3) semester hours or 60 inservice points.
• Subject area exam in ESE is worth 60 SWD/ESE points when ESE is already on the certificate.
• Subject area add-on with passing score on the SAE is equivalent to 60 inservice points.
• Exceptional Student subject area add-on is worth 60 SWD/ESE points when added within certificate renewal period.
• College teaching credit can be used for renewal credit; 3 semester hour course taught is worth 60 points.
• National Board (NBPTS) certification in similar Florida area can be used for renewal.
• In-service credit may be used in any combination of SAE exam, in-service credit, college course work, teaching college or from another school district.
• In-service credit must be earned within the validity dates of the certificate (7-1-issue year and 6-30-expiration year).
• Inservice credit from a Florida public or private school district may be transferred to ADOM.
• Send notification to [email protected] to inform of the online renewal application when relying on ADOM inservice credit.

New Hires

Teachers relying on inservice credit from a former Florida public or private school district must request their inservice credit transferred to ADOM to obtain the required inservice credit needed to renew their professional certificates. Please contact your former Florida employing school district to request an Inservice Transfer Record to the Archdiocese of Miami.

All inservice required for renewal must be on file at least 4 months prior to the expiration date of the certificate to allow time for processing the verification of inservice credit to FDOE.

Florida Certification Online Application

For initial Temporary or Professional, subject add-on or to renew online please go here

For further information and options for renewal, please visit the Florida Department of Education renewal page here

Master Inservice Credit

The Office of Catholic Schools maintains a master inservice program which is updated from the MIP documentation received from our schools. For Catholic School teachers, it is recommended to complete the required minimum 120 inservice points no later than February 1 in the year the professional certificate expires.

New renewal rules require 120 total inservice points in which a minimum 20 are in ESE. It is recommended to complete your ESE credit in the year prior to your certificate expiration and file your renewal application at least 6 months prior to your certificate expiration date.

Catholic school teachers will file their renewal application online here and for those teachers relying on ADOM inservice credit, please email to notify of your renewal application.

The Office of Catholic Schools cannot accept inservice activity from individual teachers. All inservice documentation and credit must be received from your employing school.

Inservice Transfers for new hires coming from other Florida school districts.

All new teachers coming to the ADOM must request an INSERVICE TRANSFER RECORD from their former employing Florida school district when applicable.

Reinstatement

Submit the online reinstatement application and appropriate processing fee.

• The application and fee are valid for one year from the day the application is received.
• All requirements must be completed prior to the expiration of the application.

Earn six (6) semester hours of college credit to include at least one (1) semester hour in teaching students with disabilities (SWD).

• The credit/points must be earned within the five-year period immediately preceding the date your application is received in the BEC and/or prior to the expiration of the application.
• Credit completed for issuance of the expired professional certificate may not be used to reinstate the certificate.
• Sixty (60) inservice points in an approved Florida master inservice program are equivalent to three (3) semester hours of college credit.
• Twenty (20) inservice points in an approved Florida master inservice program are equivalent to one (1) semester hour of college credit.
• College level credits must be awarded by an accredited or approved institution (Word), or the American Council on Education (ACE), and must be reflected on an official transcript.
• College level credit awarded for CLEP, DANTES Subject Standardized Test, Excelsior, other examination, life experience, or other method must be reflected on an official transcript from an accredited or approved institution (Word), or the American Council on Education (ACE).
• College remedial credit is not acceptable.
• Teaching an appropriate college level course at an accredited or approved institution (Word) may be accepted the same as credit earned for taking the course. The registrar or dean of the college must submit a letter on institutional letterhead. The letter must verify the title, prefix, number, and semester-hour credits of the course taught and the dates when the course was taught.

Earn a passing score on the Florida Subject Area Examination for each subject from the expired certificate that will be shown on the reinstated certificate.

• The passing score/s must be earned within the five-year period immediately preceding the date your application is received in the BEC and/or prior to the expiration of the application.
• Subject area examinations completed for issuance of the expired professional certificate may not be used to reinstate the certificate.
• You do not have to reinstate all subjects from the expired certificate.
• A subject identified as an "endorsement" on the expired certificate will automatically be reinstated, if the endorsement is still authorized by the Florida State Board of Education, and if an appropriate base coverage is reinstated.
• Subjects no longer authorized by the Florida State Board of Education may not be reinstated. See the Florida Subject Area Examination chart for currently authorized subjects/examinations corresponding with subjects that may no longer be authorized. The reinstated certificate will include the currently authorized subject for which the corresponding subject area examination has been passed.

For further details on reinstatement requirements and options, please visit the Florida Department of Education reinstatement page here

Barry University

Director of Campus Ministry - Karen J. Stalnaker

305-899-3650

[email protected]

University Chaplain - Father Cristobal Torres

305-899-3836

[email protected]

Barry University is sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan

FIU - University Park Campus

Chaplain -

[email protected]

(305) 222-1500

FIU University Park is sponsored by St. Agatha Parish

St. Thomas University

Director of Campus Ministry -

305-628-6525

[email protected]

St. Thomas Campus Ministry is sponsored by St. Thomas University.

University of Miami

Catholic Chaplain - Father Leo Siqueira

[email protected]

University of Miami is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Miami & Catholic Student Center