Certification Overview

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Professional Certificate Renewal Information

How to Renew Your Professional Certificate

Current Employees

STEP 1

1. Review

Review the FAQ’s  and Renewal Checklist

STEP 2

2. Access

Access the Staff Portal to complete and submit the Polk County Schools Certification Renewal Payment Form.

STEP 3

3. Create

Create an Educator Account and Onboarding. Skip this step if you have previously completed the onboarding process and have an active account with the FLDOE.

STEP 4

4. Apply

Review the step-by-step instructions Instructions for Renewal Application Process for completing the FLDOE Renewal Application.

o Click here to access your FLDOE account
o Log into your account (Create an account if you have not done so already)
o Click the drop-down menu for ‘Choose Application’ and select Renewal Application
o Complete and submit the application

  • Note: Select District Affiliation: 53-Polk

Former/Retired Employees

STEP 1

1. Review

Review the FAQ’s for renewal

STEP 2

2. Create

Create an Educator Account and Onboarding. Skip this step if you have previously completed the onboarding process and have an active account with the FLDOE.

STEP 3

3. Review

Review the step-by-step instructions Former Employees –Instructions for Renewal Application Process for completing the FLDOE Renewal Application.

STEP 4

4. Apply

Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply to renew your Professional Certificate at the FLDOE.Notes:

  • Select FLDOE Affiliation: 100-FLDOE
  •  Payment must be submitted and processed with the FLDOE
  • Send a request to patti.wilkins@polk-fl.net to submit your In-service Points (i.e., CT116 Form) to the FLDOE.

Charter Employees

STEP 1

1. Review

Review the FAQ’S TO RENEW YOUR 5-YEAR PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION under the methods of renewal section.

STEP 2

2. Complete

Complete and submit the Polk County School Certification Renewal Payment Form. Staple your method(s) of renewal to this form.

STEP 3

3. Create

Create an Educator Account and Onboarding. Skip this step if you have previously completed the onboarding process and have an active account with the FLDOE.

STEP 4

4. Apply

Review the step-by-step instructions Instructions for Renewal Application Process-Charter Schools for completing the FLDOE Renewal Application.

o Click here to access your FLDOE account
o Log into your account (Create an account if you have not done so already)
o Click the drop-down menu for ‘Choose Application’ and select Renewal Application
o Complete and submit the application

  • Note: Select District Affiliation: 53-Polk

Additional Renewal Resources (Current Employees)

Adding a Subject Area or Endorsement to a Teaching Certificate

Polk County Public School Employees

Professional Certificate

Adding a subject area

IMPORTANT! Follow these steps if you passed a subject area exam to add the corresponding coverage to your certificate that does not require a master’s degree or higher. (DO NOT choose this option if you passed the Reading K-12 subject area exam to add the Reading Endorsement – Reference Adding an Endorsement.)

  • Step 1 – Access:  Access the Staff Portal to submit the PCPS Add-On Application Payment
  • Step 2 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding. (Skip this step if you have previously completed the onboarding process and have an active account with the FLDOE).
  • Step 3 – Apply: Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account an under the “Choose Application”, please select District Add Subject. (Note: District Affiliation is Polk County # 53)   Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply.
Screenshot of steps to adding a subject to professional teaching certificate.

Adding an Endorsement

Note: IMPORTANT! Follow these steps if you:

  • Completed an Endorsement Program through our District:  ESOL, Gifted, and/or Reading
  • Passed the Reading K-12 subject area exam to add the Reading Endorsement (Not the Reading K-12 coverage)

 DO NOT choose this option for college transcripts to be evaluated.

  • Step 1 – Access:  Access the Staff Portal to submit the PCPS Add-On Application Payment
  • Step 2 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding (Skip this step if you have previously completed the onboarding process and have an active account with the FLDOE).
  • Step 3 – Apply:  Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account an under the “Choose Application”, please select District Add Endorsement. (Note: District Affiliation is Polk County # 53)  Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply.
Step 3 of Adding an Endorsement to a Professional Teaching Certificate

Adding a Subject and/or Endorsement using an official transcript

Note:  Follow these steps if you are seeking:

  • Evaluation of official college transcripts to see what Reading Competencies and/or ESOL courses you may have already completed
  • Addition of coverages that require a master’s degree or higher such as:  Educational Leadership, Guidance & Counseling, and/or Reading K-12
  • Addition of School Principal certification by completing the Florida District School Principal Certification Program through PCPS

 

  • Step 1 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding (Skip this step if you have previously completed the onboarding process and have an active account with the FLDOE).
  • Step 2 – Apply:  Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account under the “Choose Application”, please select Addition of Subject to Educator Professional Certificate. Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply. (Note:  You will submit the application fee directly to the FLDOE).
  • Step 3 – Email certificationoffice@polk-fl.net once the area is added to your certificate.

Temporary Certificate

Adding a subject area

IMPORTANT! Follow these steps if you passed a subject area exam to add the corresponding coverage to your certificate that does not require a master’s degree or higher. (DO NOT choose this option if you passed the Reading K-12 subject area exam to add the Reading Endorsement – Reference Adding an Endorsement.)

  • Step 1 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding (Skip this step if you have previously completed the onboarding process and have an active account with the FLDOE).
  • Step 2 – Apply:  Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply.  (Note:  Under your Quickstart menu: Choose the Educator Additional Subject Application)
  • Step 3 – Email certificationoffice@polk-fl.net once the area is added to your certificate.
Image of Educator Additional Subject Application Instructions

Adding an Endorsement

Note: IMPORTANT! Follow these steps if you:

  • Completed an Endorsement Program through our District:  ESOL, Gifted, and/or Reading
  • Passed the Reading K-12 subject area exam to add the Reading Endorsement (Not the Reading K-12 coverage)

 DO NOT choose this option for college transcripts to be evaluated.

  • Step 1 – Access:  Access the Staff Portal to submit the PCPS Add-On Application Payment
  • Step 2 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding (Skip this step if you have previously completed the onboarding process and have an active account with the FLDOE).
  • Step 3 – Apply:  Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account an under the “Choose Application”, please select District Add Endorsement. (Note: District Affiliation is Polk County # 53)  Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply.
Step 3 of Adding an Endorsement to a Professional Teaching Certificate

Adding a Subject Area or Endorsement to a Teaching Certificate

Charter School Employees

Professional Certificate

Adding a subject area

IMPORTANT! Follow these steps if you passed a subject area exam to add the corresponding coverage to your certificate that does not require a master’s degree or higher. (DO NOT choose this option if you passed the Reading K-12 subject area exam to add the Reading Endorsement – Reference Adding an Endorsement.)

  • Step 1 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding (Skip this step if you have previously completed the onboarding process and have an active account with the FLDOE).
  • Step 2 – Submit: the Add—On Application Money Order Form-Charter Schools and Money Order for $75.00 to the District Certification Dept.
  • Step 3 – Apply:  Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account an under the “Choose Application”, please select District Add Subject. (Note: District Affiliation is Polk County # 53)  Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply
Screenshot of steps to adding a subject to professional teaching certificate.

Adding an Endorsement

Note: IMPORTANT! Follow these steps if you:

  • Completed an Endorsement Program through our District:  ESOL, Gifted, and/or Reading
  • Passed the Reading K-12 subject area exam to add the Reading Endorsement (Not the Reading K-12 coverage)

 DO NOT choose this option for college transcripts to be evaluated.

  • Step 1 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding (Skip this step if you have previously completed the onboarding process and have an active account with the FLDOE).
  • Step 2 – Submit:  Submit the Add—On Application Money Order Form-Charter Schools and Money Order for $75.00 to the District Certification Dept.
  • Step 3 – Apply: Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account an under the “Choose Application”, please select District Add Endorsement. (Note: District Affiliation is Polk County # 53)  Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply
Step 3 of Adding an Endorsement to a Professional Teaching Certificate

Adding a Subject and/or Endorsement using an official transcript

Note:  Follow these steps if you are seeking:

  • Evaluation of official college transcripts to see what Reading Competencies and/or ESOL courses you may have already completed
  • Addition of coverages that require a master’s degree or higher such as:  Educational Leadership, Guidance & Counseling, and/or Reading K-12
  • Addition of School Principal certification by completing the Florida District School Principal Certification Program through PCPS

 

  • Step 1 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding (Skip this step if you have previously completed the onboarding process and have an active account with the FLDOE).
  • Step 2 – Apply:  Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account an under the “Choose Application”, please select Addition of Subject to Educator Professional Certificate.  Click here to access your FLDOE account and complete the Add-On Application. (Note:  You will submit the application fee directly to the FLDOE.)
  • Step 3 – Email:  Email certificationoffice@polk-fl.net once the area is added to your certificate.

Temporary Certificate

Adding a subject area

IMPORTANT! Follow these steps if you passed a subject area exam to add the corresponding coverage to your certificate that does not require a master’s degree or higher. (DO NOT choose this option if you passed the Reading K-12 subject area exam to add the Reading Endorsement – Reference Adding an Endorsement.)

  • Step 1 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding (Skip this step if you have previously completed the onboarding process and have an active account with the FLDOE).
  • Step 2 – Apply:  Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply.  (Note: Under your Quickstart menu: Choose the Educator Additional Subject Application)
  • Step 3 – Email: Email certificationoffice@polk-fl.net once the area is added to your certificate.
Image of Educator Additional Subject Application Instructions

Adding an Endorsement

Note: IMPORTANT! Follow these steps if you:

  • Completed an Endorsement Program through our District:  ESOL, Gifted, and/or Reading
  • Passed the Reading K-12 subject area exam to add the Reading Endorsement (Not the Reading K-12 coverage)

 DO NOT choose this option for college transcripts to be evaluated.

  • Step 1 – Create: Create an Educator Account and Onboarding (Skip this step if you have previously completed the onboarding process and have an active account with the FLDOE).
  • Step 2 – Submit: Submit the Add—On Application Money Order Form and Money Order for $75.00 to the District Certification Dept.
  • Step 3 – Apply: Once you complete onboarding, you will be able to login to your DOE account an under the “Choose Application”, please select District Add Endorsement. (Note: District Affiliation is Polk County # 53)  Click here to access your FLDOE account and apply
Step 3 of Adding an Endorsement to a Professional Teaching Certificate

Temporary
Certificate Information

Understanding your SOE

View Pages 3 & 4

Options to Complete Education Courses
Moodle Module

Navigating Your Way Through Your Statement of Status of Eligibility