Renewing Your Professional Teaching Certificate

Review the 5-Year Professional Educator Certificate Renewal Checklist below.

Use the Checklist below to assist you with the process of renewing your 5-Year Florida Professional Educator’s Teaching Certificate.
(Note: Steps 1-5 must be completed prior to June 30th in order to renew your teaching certificate.)

1. Obtain the minimum requirement of 120 in-service points of which 20 in-service points must be in Teaching Students with Disability. (Note: Access the FAQ’S to Renew Your 5-Year Professional Educator’s Certificate under the Methods of Renewal section of the District’s Office of Certification/Compliance/Substitute Services webpage.)
2. Access the Staff Portal, click the Certification tab to complete and submit the Renewal Payment Form.
3. Create a VERSA Educator Account and onboard.
4. Review the step-by-step instructions on How to Complete the FLDOE Renewal Application.
5. Submit the VERSA Renewal Online Application with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). (Note: Select District Affiliation: 53-Polk)

Send your additional questions/concerns to certhelp1@polk-fl.net (Secondary & K-8) or certhelp2@polk-fl.net (Elementary).

If you have four or less academic areas on your certificate, then you will need a minimum of 120 in-service points to include 20 in-service points (one semester hour) in teaching students with disabilities (SWD) per Senate Bill 1108 (SB 1108).
Note: Endorsements are not an academic area and do not require any in-service points towards renewal.

All methods listed below must be completed within the validity period of your Professional Certificate being renewed.
The methods include:
• In-service Points – A minimum of 120 in-service points is required for renewal for those who have four or less academic areas on their professional certificate. Endorsements are not academic areas and do not require in-service points.
• College Credit – One 3 semester hour course is equivalent to 60 in-service points. A grade of at least ‘C’ must be earned in each college course used for renewal. A grade of ‘pass’ or ‘satisfactory’ is an acceptable grade. Course(s) used for certificate renewal must be completed at an accredited college or university.
• Subject Area Exam – A passing score on a subject area exam for the subject added or reflected on the Professional Certificate is equivalent to 60 in-service points. Passing scores are automatically submitted to the DOE. Note: The subject area exam to obtain your initial Professional Certificate, cannot be used as a method of renewal.
• National Board Certification – A valid NBPTS Certificate will renew the corresponding coverage on the Professional Certificate and is equivalent to 120 in-service points.
• College Teaching Experience – A course taught at the college level at an accredited institution is the same as a course taken for renewal. Request that the registrar at your college/university submit a letter listing the prefix, number and name for each course, the number of semester hours earned by students in each course, and the dates the courses were taught. Teaching multiple sections of the same course.
• Schools of Excellence– The substitution of 1 school year of employment within a School of Excellence May be used for 20 in-service points toward the renewal of a professional certificate, up to 60 in-service points in a 5-year cycle, pursuant to s. 1012.585(3).

Once you access your in-service record, any course that can be applied towards meeting the SWD requirement will have a notation of 1108 at the end of the title.

Access NetConnect at this link to check your in-service record: https://polk.truenorthlogic.com/U/P/Tab/Home.

You will need to create an account with GoSignMeUp to register for FDLRS courses

If your FDLRS SWD points are not reflected on your NetConnect transcripts please contact Matthew Cobble for assistance.

If you are transferring to Polk County from another Florida school district, request an In-service Teacher Education Transfer Record (Form OTE 206) from your former District.
• This form must be submitted electronically to: Patti.wilkins@polk-fl.net

Visit the FDLRS Website to view the list of courses that are available through the district to meet the SWD requirement. Be sure to follow the color legend for courses that meet the SWD Credit.
• The FDLRS State Module of Teaching Students with Disabilities and PDA Effective Teaching Practices for Students with Disabilities: Focusing on the Content Areas are free online independent study modules that meet the SWD requirement. Visit: http://www.fl-pda.org/
• An ESE subject area exam(i.e., Exceptional Student Education K-12, Hearing Impaired K-12, Visually Impaired K-12 or Speech-Language Impaired K-12) passed during the validity period that corresponds with the ESE coverage on the certificate satisfies 60 in-service points and the credit for teaching SWD
• A valid NBPTS Exceptional Needs Specialist Certificate satisfies the teaching SWD requirement when the Florida Professional Certificate includes an ESE coverage
• An ESE College course completed during the validity period of your professional certificate may also be used to meet this requirement, if the course is approved through our district

For course approval send an email to poinsetta.tillman@polk-fl.net with the following information: Course prefix & number, name of course, name of college, course description, and number of semester hours.
Note: Once courses are approved, access the certification tab under the Renewal XXX on the staff portal to upload a copy of the email approval for the course. Submitthe official transcript reflecting the approved course(s) to the certification office if not already on file.

Yes, excess SWD credit earned during a professional certificate validity period that includes the 2014-2015 or later school year is eligible to be banked for future certificate renewals.

Unfortunately,the following courses are not acceptable—per the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE):
• Gifted Education courses
• American Sign Language courses (unless the courses are in teaching American Sign Language to the Hearing Impaired)

While renewing your certificate, if your name is different on the application than what is showing at the FLDOE and your new name has been changed in SAP, then it will automatically be changed.

If you are not employed with a school district in the state of Florida, please select 100-FLDOE as your district affiliation within the FLDOE Renewal Application.

If you have four or less academic areas on your certificate, then you will need a minimum of 120 in-service points to include 20 inservice points (one semester hour) in teaching students with disabilities (SWD) per Senate Bill 1108 (SB 1108).
Note: Endorsements are not an academic area and do not require any in-service points towards renewal.

All methods listed below must be completed within the validity period of your Professional Certificate being renewed.
The methods include:
• In-service Points – A minimum of 120 in-service points is required for renewal for those who have four or less academic areas on their professional certificate. Endorsements are not academic areas and do not require in-service points. Contact patti.wilkins@polk-fl.net to submit your Polk County in-service points to the FLDOE.
• College Credit – One 3 semester hour course is equivalent to 60 in-service points. Submit an official transcript to the FLDOE. (Photocopies are not official transcripts). A grade of at least ‘C’ must be earned in each college course used for renewal. A grade of ‘pass’ or ‘satisfactory’ is an acceptable grade. Course(s) used for certificate renewal must be completed at an accredited college or university.
• Subject Area Exam – A passing score on subject area exam for the subject added or reflected on the Professional Certificate is equivalent to 60 in-service points. Passing scores are automatically submitted to the DOE. Note: The subject area exam to obtain your initial Professional Certificate, cannot be used as a method of renewal.
• National Board Certification – A valid NBPTS Certificate will renew the corresponding coverage on the Professional Certificate and is equivalent to 120 in-service points. Upload a copy of your valid NBPTS Certificate to the FLDOE Renewal Application.
• College Teaching Experience – A course taught at the college level at an accredited institution is the same as a course taken for renewal. Request that the registrar at your college/university submit a letter to the FLDOE listing the prefix, number and name for each course, the number of semester hours earned by students in each course, and the dates the courses were taught. Teaching multiple sections of the same course.
• Schools of Excellence– The substitution of 1 school year of employment within a School of Excellence may be used for 20 inservice points toward the renewal of a professional certificate, up to 60 inservice points in a 5-year cycle, pursuant to s. 1012.585(3).

Access NetConnect at this link to check your in-service record: https://polk.truenorthlogic.com/U/P/Tab/Home.
Note: If you do not have access to NetConnect you will need to login as a guest user to register for a course. Guest Login

You will need to create an account with GoSignMeUp to register for FDLRS courses.

If your FDLRS SWD points are not reflected on your NetConnect transcripts please contact Matthew Cobble for assistance.

Visit the FDLRS Website to view the list of courses that are available through the district to meet the SWD requirement. Be sure to follow the color legend for courses that meet the SWD Credit
• The FDLRS State Module of Teaching Students with Disabilities and PDA Effective Teaching Practices for Students with Disabilities: Focusing on the Content Areas are free online independent study modules that meet the SWD requirement. Visit: http://www.fl-pda.org/
• An ESE subject area exam (i.e., Exceptional Student Education K-12, Hearing Impaired K-12, Visually Impaired K-12 or Speech-Language Impaired K-12) passed during the validity period that corresponds with the ESE coverage on the certificate satisfies 60 in-service points and the credit for teaching SWD
• A valid NBPTS Exceptional Needs Specialist Certificate satisfies the teaching SWD requirement when the Florida Professional Certificate includes an ESE coverage
• An ESE College course completed during the validity period of your professional certificate may also be used to meet this requirement, if the course is approved by the FLDOE.

Contact the FLDOE for ESE college course approval.

Yes, excess SWD credit earned during a professional certificate validity period that includes the 2014-2015 or later school year is eligible to be banked for future certificate renewals.

Unfortunately, the following courses are not acceptable—per the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE):
• Gifted Education courses
• American Sign Language courses (unless the courses are in teaching American Sign Language to the Hearing Impaired)

If you have four or less academic areas on your certificate, then you will need a minimum of 120 in-service points to include 20 in-service points (one semester hour) in teaching students with disabilities (SWD) per Senate Bill 1108 (SB 1108).
Note: Endorsements are not an academic area and do not require any in-service points towards renewal.

All methods listed below must be completed within the validity period of your Professional Certificate being renewed.
The methods include:
• In-service Points – A minimum of 120 in-service points is required for renewal for those who have four or less academic areas on their professional certificate. Endorsements are not academic areas and do not require in-service points. Contact patti.wilkins@polk-fl.net to submit your Polk County in-service points to the FLDOE.
• College Credit – One 3 semester hour course is equivalent to 60 in-service points. Submit an official transcript to the FLDOE. (Photocopies are not official transcripts). A grade of at least ‘C’ must be earned in each college course used for renewal. A grade of ‘pass’ or ‘satisfactory’ is an acceptable grade. Course(s) used for certificate renewal must be completed at an accredited college or university.
• Subject Area Exam – A passing score on subject area exam for the subject added or reflected on the Professional Certificate is equivalent to 60 in-service points. Passing scores are automatically submitted to the DOE. Note: The subject area exam to obtain your initial Professional Certificate, cannot be used as a method of renewal.
• National Board Certification – A valid NBPTS Certificate will renew the corresponding coverage on the Professional Certificate and is equivalent to 120 in-service points. Upload a copy of your valid NBPTS Certificate to the FLDOE Renewal Application.
• College Teaching Experience – A course taught at the college level at an accredited institution is the same as a course taken for renewal. Request that the registrar at your college/university submit a letter to the FLDOE listing the prefix, number and name for each course, the number of semester hours earned by students in each course, and the dates the courses were taught. Teaching multiple sections of the same course.
• Schools of Excellence– The substitution of 1 school year of employment within a School of Excellence may be used for 20 inservice points toward the renewal of a professional certificate, up to 60 inservice points in a 5-year cycle, pursuant to s. 1012.585(3).

Once you access your in-service record, any course that can be applied towards meeting the SWD requirement will have a notation of 1108 at the end of the title.

Access NetConnect at this link to check your in-service record: https://polk.truenorthlogic.com/U/P/Tab/Home.

You will need to create an account with GoSignMeUp to register for FDLRS courses

If your FDLRS SWD points are not reflected on your NetConnect transcripts please contact Matthew Cobble for assistance.

If you are transferring to Polk County from another Florida school district, request an In-service Teacher Education Transfer Record (Form OTE 206) from your former District.
• This form must be submitted electronically to: Patti.wilkins@polk-fl.net

Visit the FDLRS Website to view the list of courses that are available through the district to meet the SWD requirement. Be sure to follow the color legend for courses that meet the SWD Credit
• The FDLRS State Module of Teaching Students with Disabilities and PDA Effective Teaching Practices for Students with Disabilities: Focusing on the Content Areas are free online independent study modules that meet the SWD requirement. Visit: http://www.fl-pda.org/
• An ESE subject area exam (i.e., Exceptional Student Education K-12, Hearing Impaired K-12, Visually Impaired K-12 or Speech-Language Impaired K-12) passed during the validity period that corresponds with the ESE coverage on the certificate satisfies 60 in-service points and the credit for teaching SWD
• A valid NBPTS Exceptional Needs Specialist Certificate satisfies the teaching SWD requirement when the Florida Professional Certificate includes an ESE coverage
• An ESE College course completed during the validity period of your professional certificate may also be used to meet this requirement, if the course is approved by the FLDOE.

For course approval send an email to poinsetta.tillman@polk-fl.net with the following information: Course prefix & number, name of course, name of college, course description, and number of semester hours. Note: Once courses are approved, access the certification tab under the Renewal XXX on the staff portal to upload a copy of the email approval for the course. Submitthe official transcript reflecting the approved course(s) to the certification office if not already on file.

Yes, excess SWD credit earned during a professional certificate validity period that includes the 2014-2015 or later school year is eligible to be banked for future certificate renewals.

Unfortunately, the following courses are not acceptable—per the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE):
• Gifted Education courses
• American Sign Language courses (unless the courses are in teaching American Sign Language to the Hearing Impaired)

While renewing your certificate, if your name is different on the application than what is showing at the FLDOE and your new name has been changed in SAP, then it will automatically be changed.