The purpose of these rule amendments is to align provisions with statutory changes from the 2024 legislative session found in House Bills 1285, 5101 and Senate Bill 7002.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

6A-4.0012Application Information

6A-4.004Florida Educator's Certificates with Academic, Administrative, Degreed Career and Technical, and Specialty Class Coverages

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of these rule amendments is to align provisions with statutory changes from the 2024 legislative session found in House Bills 1285, 5101 and Senate Bill 7002.

SUMMARY: The rule amendments will create a new Classical Education Certificate, a new Inactive Status Certificate, a new Reactivation Status Certificate, and the corresponding applications. Additionally, it modifies certain requirements of the Temporary Teacher Apprenticeship Certificate and creates two new subject area fee waivers.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The proposed rule amendment is not expected to have any adverse impact on economic growth or business competitiveness, or increase regulatory costs or any other factor set forth in s. 120.541(2), F.S. and will not require legislative ratification. This is based upon the nature of the proposed changes, which create a new temporary certificate type.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.02, 1012.55, 1012.555, 1012.56, 1012.586, 1012.59, F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1012.31, 1012.32, 1012.55, 1012.555, 1012.56, 1012.586, 1012.59, 1012.798, F.S.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: July 24, 2024, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd, Suwannee 18/19/20, Orlando, FL 32819.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Michelle L. Gaines, Bureau Chief, Educator Certification

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-4.004 Florida Educator’s Certificates with Academic, Administrative, Degreed Career and Technical, and Specialty Class Coverages.

A Florida educator’s certificate is issued to an applicant with academic, administrative, degreed career and technical, and specialty class coverages as specified below.

(1) through (3) No change.

(4) Temporary teacher apprenticeship certificate. The five-year nonrenewable temporary teacher apprenticeship certificate may be issued to an applicant who does not qualify for the professional certificate but meets the following requirements:

(a) through (b) No change.

(c) Holds an associate degree from an accredited postsecondary institution with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 3.0 in that degree program as determined by a participating employer in accordance with Rule 6A-5.067, F.A.C.;

(d) through (g) No change.

(5) through (9) No change.

(10) Restricted classical education teaching certificate.

(a) A restricted classical education teaching certificate is a renewable type of certificate valid for five (5) school years issued by the Department of Education to an applicant who meets the following eligibility requirements:

1. Satisfies all eligibility criteria specified in Section 1012.56(2)(a)-(f) and (11), F.S.;

2. Completes the application requirements as specified in Rule 6A-4.0012, F.A.C.; and

3. Submits fingerprint reports as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)3. of this rule.

(b) A restricted classical education teaching certificate is only valid at a classical school as defined in Section 1012.55(5), F.S.

(c) A restricted classical education teaching certificate does not cover the following certification subjects or endorsements: Exceptional Student Education (ESE), English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), or Athletic Coaching.

(d) A restricted classical education teaching certificate may only be submitted by a school that demonstrates:

1. The school is constituted, practices, and provides professional learning to its educational staff in a classical school model that emphasizes the development of students in the principles of moral character and civic virtue through a well-rounded education in the liberal arts and sciences that is based on the classical trivium stages of grammar, logic, and rhetoric; and

2. The school intends to hire or has hired the applicant for a position at the classical school.

(e) The school submits to the Department’s Bureau of Educator Certification the Form entitled “Request For Classical Professional Certificate Issuance,” Form No. CT-110C, requesting issuance of a classical certificate. The form, effective August 2024 (DOS link), is incorporated by reference. The form must be submitted to [e-mail].  

(11) (10) Addition of subjects to a professional certificate. A subject may be added to a valid renewable professional certificate when an applicant meets the following requirements:

(a) through (b) No change.

(12) (11) Addition of endorsements. An endorsement may be added to a valid five-year nonrenewable temporary or renewable professional certificate when an applicant meets the following requirements:

(a) through (b) No change.

(13) (12) Expired certificates.

(a) through (d) No change.

(14) Inactive certificates.

(a) Certificates as defined in Rule 6A-4.0012(1)(g), F.A.C., may be placed in an inactive status by certificateholder request upon application to the Department per Rule 6A-4.0012, F.A.C.

(b) In order to be granted inactive status the educator:

1. Must hold an active temporary or an active professional certificate; and

2. Must apply for inactive status at least six (6) months before the expiration of the active valid certificate.

(c) An individual whose certificate has been inactivated is required to adhere to the ethical principles as outlined in Rule 6A-10.081, F.A.C., Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida, regardless of the inactivation of a certificate.

(d) Inactivation of a certificate does not exempt a certificate holder from completing the requirements found on the temporary certificateholder’s statement of status of eligibility or the professional certificateholder’s professional learning requirements set forth in Section 1012.56, F.S.

(e) A certificate that has been inactive may be reactivated upon application to the Department per Rule 6A-4.0012(1)(h), F.A.C. Professional learning requirements must be met as a condition of reactivation if a certificate has been inactive for more than one (1) calendar year.

1. Upon reactivation, the certificate will be activated from July 1 to June 30 of the year in which the reactivation is granted.

2. Upon reactivation of a certificate that was inactive longer than five (5) years, all current educator certification requirements must be met in order to reactivate the temporary or professional certificate.      

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1012.55, 1012.56 FS. Law Implemented 1012.55, 1012.56 FS. History–New 4-20-64, Amended 4-8-68, 7-7-68, 4-11-69, 4-11-70, 9-17-72, 8-17-74, Repromulgated 12-5-74, Amended 11-9-76, 7-1-79, 8-27-80, 1-3-82, 4-26-84, 11-18-84, 6-18-85, Formerly 6A-4.04, Amended 12-25-86, 10-18-88, 9-12-89, 12-4-89, 4-15-91, 10-10-91, 5-3-94, 10-15-01, 12-27-04, 11-26-08, 3-5-14, 12-20-16, 8-21-18, 3-17-20, 9-20-22, 6-27-23, 9-26-23, 11-21-23,

 

6A-4.0012 Application Information.

(1) Application process. To apply for evaluation of eligibility for a Florida Educator’s Certificate, an individual shall submit to the Bureau of Educator Certification the following:

(a) through (e) No change.

(f) A completed Restricted Classical Teaching Certificate Application and a nonrefundable application fee of $75.00, Form CG-10C, Restricted Classical Teaching Certificate Application, (DOS link), effective August 2024, is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule. The form may be submitted online via the Department of Education Educator Certification website at http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/on-line-application-status-lookup-site.stml, or may be retrieved from the website and submitted via postal delivery to the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification, Room 201, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.

(g) A completed Inactive Status Certificate Application and a nonrefundable application fee of $75.00, Form CG-10IS, Inactive Status Application, (DOS link), effective August 2024, is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule. The form may be submitted online via the Department of Education Educator Certification website at http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/on-line-application-status-lookup-site.stml, or may be retrieved from the website and submitted via postal delivery to the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification, Room 201, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.

(h) A completed Reactivation Certificate Application and a nonrefundable application fee of $75.00, Form CG-10RS, Reactivation Certificate Application, (DOS link), effective August 2024, is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule. The form may be submitted online via the Department of Education Educator Certification website at http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/on-line-application-status-lookup-site.stml, or may be retrieved from the website and submitted via postal delivery to the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification, Room 201, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.

(2) through (7) No change.

(8) Military Fee Waivers.

(a) No change.

(b) To apply for a military fee waiver, a request must be submitted via the Department of Education, Educator Certification website at https://web03.fldoe.org/TeacherCertFeeWaiver http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/military/ along with documentation establishing that the applicant meets the requirements for a fee waiver under subparagraph (8)(a)1., 2., or 3., of this rule. The following chart lists the required documentation:

BASIS FOR WAIVER OF FEE	DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED
Member of Armed Forces	Military ID card
Spouse of member of Armed Forces	Military dependent ID card (DD Form 1173)
Member of reserves	Military ID card or NGB22 Form or DD 256A Form
Spouse of member of reserves	Military dependent ID card (DD Form 1173) or Military dependent ID card (DD Form 1173-1)
Honorably discharged veteran	Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 Member 4)
Spouse or surviving spouse of honorably discharged veteran	DD Form 214 Member 4 of spouse and marriage certificate
Honorably discharged veteran of reserves	DD Form 214 Member 4, NGB22 Form or DD 256A Form
Spouse of honorably discharged veteran of reserves	DD Form 214 Member 4, NGB22 Form or DD 256A Form of spouse and marriage certificate
Surviving spouse of member of armed forces on active duty at time of death	Official documentation from Department of Defense
Surviving spouse of member of reserves at time of death	Official documentation from Department of Defense

(c) hrough (e) No change.

(9) Retired First Responder Fee Waivers. professional certificate (INITIAL) – $75.00 per subject;

(a) No change.

(b) To apply for a retired first responder fee waiver, a request must be submitted via the Department of Education Educator Certification website at https://web03.fldoe.org/TeacherCertFeeWaiver http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/retiredfirstresponder/ along with documentation establishing that the applicant meets the requirements for a retired first responder fee waiver under subparagraph (9)(a)1., 2., or 3., of this rule.

(c) through (d) No change.

(10) Exceptional Student Education K–12/Elementary Education K–6 Waivers.

(a) An individual is eligible for a waiver from the Department for the application fees prescribed in subparagraph (1)(a)1.-3. of this rule if he or she is a teacher who:

1. Holds a valid active Temporary or Professional Certificate in Exceptional Student Education K–12 and applies to add a subject coverage in Elementary Education K–6; or

2. Holds a valid active Temporary or Professional Certificate in Elementary Education K–6 and applies to add a subject coverage in Exceptional Student Education K–12.

(b) To apply for an Exceptional Student Education K–12 or Elementary Education K–6 fee waiver, submit via the Department of Education Educator Certification website at https://web03.fldoe.org/TeacherCertFeeWaiver along with documentation establishing that the applicant meets the requirements for a certification fee waiver per paragraph (10)(a) of this rule.

BASIS FOR WAIVER OF FEE	DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED
Holds a Temporary or Professional Certificate in Exceptional Student Education K–12 and applies to add a subject coverage in Elementary Education K–6	Valid active certificate in ESE K–12
Holds a Temporary or Professional Certificate in Elementary Education K–6 and applies to add a subject coverage in Exceptional Student Education K–12	Valid active certificate in K–6

 

(c) Additional documentation. Where the required documentation submitted does not establish eligibility due to a name change or other circumstance, the applicant will be notified by the Department within ninety (90) days and afforded the opportunity to submit additional documentation to verify eligibility.

(d) All documents submitted to verify eligibility for the Exceptional Student Education K–12/Elementary Education K–6 fee waivers will be retained in the certification record maintained by the Department and will not be returned to the applicant. Approval for fee waivers remains valid for five (5) years from the date issued unless a document used to verify indicates an earlier expiration date or end date of its validity and, in that case, validity of the fee waiver expires when the verifying document expires. In no case shall a person use or attempt to use a Exceptional Student Education K–12/Elementary Education fee waiver if the person does not meet the eligibility criteria set forth in Section 1012.59(4), F.S., and this rule.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1012.55, 1012.56, 1012.586, 1012.59 FS. Law Implemented 1012.31, 1012.32, 1012.55, 1012.56, 1012.586, 1012.59, 1012.798 FS. History–New 7-6-82, Amended 9-27-83, Formerly 6A-4.012, Amended 12-25-86, 10-26-88, 5-2-90, 4-24-91, 7-7-92, 5-3-94, 7-18-95, 9-17-01, 11-25-03, 12-27-04, 1-1-08, 10-21-09, 12-31-14, 11-21-17, 11-28-18, 9-20-22, 9-26-23, 11-21-23,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Michelle L. Gaines, Bureau Chief, Educator Certification

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Manny Diaz Jr., Commissioner, Department of Education

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: July 01, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 28, 2024