Certification Pathways To Serve Those Who Have Served

The Florida Department of Education has paved the way for military veterans, who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree, to teach in Florida Public Schools. 

The Florida Department of Education is proud to provide opportunities for members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their spouses to become part of our team working hand in hand to improve Florida’s education system for students of all backgrounds and abilities. Florida is proud to host the 5th highest population of active-duty personnel and reserve members in the military’s five armed services and that over 1.5 million veterans make Florida home.

The Florida Department of Education commits to recruitment of military personnel, veterans and their spouses to continue their service by teaching and leading in Florida’s schools.

Military Veterans Certification Pathway

Effective July 1, 2022, Florida issues a 5-year Temporary Certificate for military veterans who have not yet earned their bachelor’s degrees and meet the following eligibility:

• Minimum of 48 months of military service with an honorable/medical discharge
• Minimum of 60 college credits with a 2.5 grade point average
• Passing score on a Florida subject area examination for bachelor’s level subjects
• Employment in a Florida school district, including charter schools

Before applying for this pathway, complete a waiver request for the Military Certification Fees Waiver.

The online application will be available on July 21, 2022.

Military Certification Fee Waivers

The Florida legislature expanded opportunities for military personnel, veterans and their spouses to join the education profession through passage of the “Don Hahnfeldt Veteran and Military Family Opportunity Act” (Chapter 2018-007, L.O.F.). Effective July 1, 2018, the act provides the opportunity to request waivers of initial certification and certification examination fees for active-duty military personnel, honorably discharged veterans and their spouses or surviving spouses. Educator candidates who are eligible to apply for the Military Certification Fees Waiver (MCFW) include:

• Active-duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces or reserve unit;
• The spouses of active-duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces or reserve unit;
• Veterans who were honorably discharged or retired from service as members of the U.S. Armed Forces or reserve units;
• The spouses of veterans who were honorably discharged or retired from service as members of the U.S. Armed Forces or reserve units; or
• The surviving spouses of veterans or service members who died while on active duty as members of the U.S. Armed Forces or reserve units.

To complete a waiver request, the educator candidate is required to:

• Submit the waiver request via the Military Certification Fees Waiver site on or after July 1, 2018;
• Upload official documentation for review to determine that you meet the qualification requirements for MCFW eligibility; and,
• Wait to submit any payments until after you receive email notification that you are eligible for an MCFW;
• On or after July 1, 2018, submit your application for an Educator’s Certificate or register for a certification exam.

An MCFW remains valid for up to five years upon determination of eligibility, after which time an educator may submit a new request for review according to eligibility requirements in effect upon submission of the request for a new waiver. Fees for the following certification services will be waived for individuals granted MCFWs:

• $75.00 per subject for an initial certification application
• $75.00 for an initial application for certification in athletic coaching
• $75.00 for an application to upgrade from a Temporary to a Professional Certificate
• $75.00 per subject for addition of a subject or endorsement to a valid certificate

Note: Eligible MCFW applicants, including current school district employees, must submit certification applications directly to the Bureau of Educator Certification. Submitting a district application to add a subject/endorsement to a valid Temporary or Professional Certificate will require payment of processing fees to the employing school district.

Certification Examinations

Registration fees for initial attempts on examinations for certification will be waived for educator candidates granted MCFW eligibility. Please visit FTCE/FELE Certification Website for detailed information on Florida's certification examinations.

Military Extensions to Certificates

Educator Certification offers the following opportunities for educators to request extensions to their Florida Educator’s Certificates to active duty military personnel and spouses.

• An educator with a valid Temporary or Professional Certificate who volunteers or is called into service for the U.S. Armed Forces or reserve unit, whether in wartime or peacetime, may request a military extension to his/her certificate for the period of time equal to the time spent in service; or
• A certified educator who is the spouse of an active duty military service member of the U.S. Armed Forces or reserve unit may request a 2-year military extension to his/her Temporary Certificate to complete the necessary requirements for upgrade to the Professional Certificate. As a certified educator, the spouse must already have demonstrated mastery of general knowledge to be issued this extension.

Military Officer Educational Leadership Certificates

The Florida legislature also provided a pathway for veteran military officers to transition into school administrator roles through passage of the “Don Hahnfeldt Veteran and Military Family Opportunity Act” (Chapter 2018-007, L.O.F.). Effective July 1, 2018, U.S. military veterans hired to serve as a school leader or administrator may be eligible for issuance of a special Temporary Certificate in Educational Leadership if he or she satisfies all of the following requirements:

• Received honorable discharge or retired from the U.S. Armed Forces
• Served at least three (3) years as a commissioned, non-commissioned, or warrant officer, and
• Passed all subtests of the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE).

Please refer to the acceptable supporting documents chart above for official documentation required by the department for review to determine that the veteran meets the qualifications.

Helpful Links

• Military Certification Fees Waiver site
• Troops to Teachers: Proud to Serve Again
• Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)

For other information regarding the processing of requests or eligibility requirements for a Military Certification Fees Waiver, please contact the Florida Department of Education via email at TroopsTeaching4FL@fldoe.org.

For information about the status of your application or other topics related to Educator Certification, please use the options available via Staff Contact.

Source: Military Personnel, Veterans & Spouses (fldoe.org)