1.
Do I have a 5 year professional certificate?
Please see http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/public.asp.
2.
When does my 5 year professional certificate expire?
Please see http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/public.asp.
3.
What is required to keep my five year professional certificate active?
Please see http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/renew.asp.
4.
How many Florida Inservice Credits (MIPs) do I have?
You can access your Florida Inservice Credit (MIP’s) history using Data Warehouse. Instructions to access
Data Warehouse records CLICK HERE. If you have any questions pertaining to MIP points, please email
[email protected].
5.
What is the renewal fee?
Attach a check or money order for $75.00 to your Professional Certification Renewal Form (this one fee will
renew all of your subject areas) payable to The District School Board of Collier County. There is an
additional late fee of $30 for applications submitted after your certification expires.
6.
How does my name appear on my certificate and what are my subject areas?
If you don't remember how your name appeared on your last certificate, or what subject areas you have,
please see http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/public.asp
7.
What are the methods of renewal?
All requirements must have been completed within the five year validity period of the certificate. A
combination of renewal methods may be used to complete the requirements. Please see
http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/renew.asp.
o
College courses - A minimum of six (6) semester hours of college credit or its equivalent is required
for renewal. If using college credit to renew, attach an official transcript (a grade slip is not
acceptable). Three (3) semester hours is equivalent to 60 MIPs.
o
Subject Area Exam - Attach an original score report if renewing by passing an exam that is
currently on your certificate (one exam is equivalent to 60 MIPs).
o
Florida Inservice Credit - If you are renewing by inservice, a minimum of 120 MIPs is required. It is
not necessary to attach a copy of your inservice record. The following is considered equivalent to
three (3) semester hours of college credit: 60 inservice points OR one subject area exam.
o
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards - When using NBPTS, submit a copy of your
certificate with your renewal. Refer to http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/nbpts-chart.asp to determine if
your NBPTS area satisfies the renewal requirement.
o
College level teaching experience - You may use teaching experience from an acceptable
institution the same as credit earned for that course. To verify, you should submit with your
application a letter from the dean on university letterhead stating: 1) Name of course(s) taught; 2)
Course code number(s); 3) Hours of course credit granted; and 4) Dates of employment.
8.
Can I combine methods of renewal to equal the required 6 semester hours?
Yes, you can use a combination of any of the methods. See #7 "What are the Methods of Renewal".
9.
What is the minimum renewal requirement?
You can renew one or two subjects with the minimum 6 semester hour requirement. Each additional subject
area requires 3 semester hours. You may "carry" additional subject area(s) to be renewed at the next
renewal period.
10. What if I have an arrest record?
Legal Disclosure: If you have an arrest record you may or may not have reported in the past, it is required
that you list it. Complete all boxes on the application. It is helpful to make a copy of the application for
reference when submitting future applications. Professional Practices will expedite your paperwork if it is an
exact duplicate of a previously cleared incident. Do not send copies of charges or dispositions with your
application. If needed, Professional Practices will contact you.
11. What is the deadline to renew?
The recommended renewal period is October to March. This timeframe is necessary for employment
contracts and staffing procedures. May 1st is the deadline for current teachers Returning the next school
year. There is a late fee of $30 for applications received after the application period expires.
12. What if my certificate expires?
Please see http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/reinstate.asp.
13. How do I have a subject deleted from my certificate?
Write a note on your renewal application, designating the deletion of the specific subject. Contact the
Certification office if you are not renewing and want to delete a subject.
14. After I apply, when will I receive my updated certificate?
You should receive your new certificate within 45 days. It will be processed in the District office and mailed
from the Department of Education.
15. What does it mean to "bank" inservice points?
You can bank ESOL (since 1998) and Reading (since 2004) points. The term "banked" is used when you
have unused ESOL or Reading points that were earned in prior validity periods.
16. Can I use my MIPs to renew any of my other subject areas?
Yes, your MIP's can be used according to your subjects needing renewal. The points will be distributed by
the district office at the time of renewal.
17. Can I add a subject when renewing my professional certificate?
The renewal application has one function, to renew the professional certificate. You may add a Bachelor's
level subject by completing the District Addition application (Section two). If you're adding a Master's level
subject, the application must be done through the Department of Education. There is a $75.00 fee to add a
subject.