About Certification
Find all the information you need concerning your teaching certification. If you have any questions about this information, please contact one of our staff below.
Professional Certificate Renewal Information
How to Renew Your Professional Certificate
1. Review
Review the FAQ’s and Renewal Checklist
2. Access
Access the Staff Portal to complete and submit the Polk County Schools Certification Renewal Payment Form.
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.
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
More Renewal Resources
Adding to a Teaching Certificate
Add a Subject Area or Endorsement
Professional Certificate
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.
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)
- The Reading K-12 subject area exam must have a passing date within 10 years.
- The coverage must be added prior to July 1, 2024. Per House Bill 7011, the Reading K-12 subject area exam cannot be used to add the Reading Endorsement after July 1, 2024.
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.
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
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. Important! Under your Quickstart menu: Choose the Educator Additional Subject Application. (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.
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)
- The Reading K-12 subject area exam must have a passing date within 10 years.
- The coverage must be added prior to July 1, 2024. Per House Bill 7011, the Reading K-12 subject area exam cannot be used to add the Reading Endorsement after July 1, 2024.
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.
Temporary Certificate
Eligibility, Courses, Testing & Upgrading
View Pages 3 & 4
Hot off the Press!! - Master’s Degree can waive GK Test!!!
Per House Bill 1159: Effective July 1, 2021, completion of a master’s degree or higher from an accredited postsecondary institution recognized by the Department of Education will satisfy the General Knowledge Test requirement.
IMPORTANT:
- Official master transcript must be on file with the FLDOE prior to the initial application or the application to upgrade to the professional certificate is evaluated by the FLDOE
- Request to have your college/university submit an official master transcript to the FLDOE
Options to Complete Education Courses
Alternative Certification Educator (ACE) Program
Recommended for teachers who have 9+ additional semester hours and/or 3+ courses listed to fulfill.
Offered through Polk County School District’s Professional Development Department
Website:
https://polkschoolsfl.com/ace/
Contact:
Laurie Christopher
Lauri.christopher@polk-fl.net
Educator Preparation Institute (EPI)
Recommended for teachers who have 9+ additional semester hours and/or 3+ courses listed to fulfill.
Offered through Polk Community College
Website:
https://polk.edu/epi/
Contact:
Tony DeSouza
tdesouza@polk.edu
University of Phoenix (Online)
Recommended for teachers who have less than 9 additional semester hours and/or less than 3 courses listed to fulfill.
Offered online through the University of the Phoenix.
The University of Phoenix is pleased to offer the coursework you need for your Florida Professional Certificate.
These online courses are $175/credit hour and here are available dates through August 2020:
In order to receive your 10% Tuition Discount on these or any other courses, please contact renee.romo@phoenix.edu or call/text (312) 659-8475.
Course # | Course | Requirement | Credits | Weeks | Tuition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDUC/521 | Classroom Management for Educators | Classroom management | 3 | 4 | $525 |
EDUC/525 (Choose one) EDUC/526 |
Theories of Growing and Learning Overview of Adolescent Psychology |
Child and adolescent development |
3 3 |
4 4 |
$525
$525 |
EDUC/524 | Assessment and Evaluation for Educators | Educational assessment practices | 3 | 4 | $525 |
EDUC/522 | Curriculum Development and Instruction | Effective instructional techniques, strategies, materials | 3 | 4 | $525 |
RDNG/501 (Choose one) RDNG/502 |
Reading Methods: Elementary
Reading Methods: Secondary |
Applications of research-based instructional practices in reading |
3
3 |
4
4 |
$525
$525 |
TESOL/571 | Instructional Techniques and Methods | Instructional strategies for teaching students of limited English proficiency | 3 | 4 | $525 |
Florida Southern College Teacher Workshops
Recommended for teachers who have less than 6 additional semester hours and/or less than 3 courses listed to fulfill. Also, for teachers on an expiring temporary certificate.
Offered online through Florida Southern College
Website:
https://www.flsouthern.edu/adult-graduate/teacherworkshops.aspx
Contact:
Kathy Fezzie
kfezzie@flsouthern.edu
Florida Southern College Teacher Workshops
Suggested List of Courses to Fulfill Education Courses Listed on an SOE
If this education course is listed on your Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE) |
*Then consider this course through Florida Southern College Teacher Workshops |
---|---|
Classroom management with a focus on creating safe learning environments for students |
EDU 3333 – Foundations of Education III (Classroom Instructional Strategies and Classroom Management), 2 credit hours |
Human development and learning | EDU 1107 – Foundations of Education I (Introduction to Education & Human Development and Learning), 4 credit hours |
Educational assessment to include content measured by state achievement tests and the interpretation and utilization of data to improve student achievement |
EDU 2235 – Technology Infused Teaching and Educational Assessments & Measurements, 4 credit hours |
Effective instructional techniques, strategies, and materials to meet the needs of diverse learners including students with disabilities |
EDU 3333 – (Same as above). This course covers both professional education areas. |
Curriculum and special methods of teaching SUBJECT in the middle or secondary school |
EDU 4454 – Special Methods in Education (FSC is approved with FLDOE in the following subject areas: Biology 6-12, Mathematics 6-12, English 6- 12, Social Sciences 6-12, Foreign Languages K-12, Art K-12, Music K-12, and Physical Education K-12, 1 credit hour |
Applications of research-based practices in teaching reading |
EDU 3370 – Differentiated Instruction of Reading for Elementary Students (Foundations of Teaching Reading), 4 semester hours OR EDU 4457 – Reading and Writing in the Content Area (Secondary), 1 credit hour |
Instructional Strategies for teaching students of limited English proficiency including instruction in the English language |
EDU 3279 – Foundations of ESOL I, 4 credit hours |
Teaching Students with Disabilities, SWD (Senate Bill 1108, beginning July 1, 2014) |
EDU 2210 – Foundations of Special Education, 2 credit hours |
*Note: It is your responsibility to verify with the FLDOE that the course(s) you intend to complete will fulfill the education course requirement(s) listed on your SOE. For Course verification: Email the FLDOE at edcert@fldoe.org and include the name of college, course title, prefix, and number prior to enrollment.
American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE)
Recommended for teachers who have additional semester hours and for those on a Temporary certificate expiring June 30th of the current school year.
Offered online through ABCTE
Website:
http://www.abcte.org
Testing Information
- FTCE Testing Website: www.fl.nesinc.com
- FTCE Test Study Assistance: https://polkschoolsfl.com/pd
Upgrade to the Professional Certificate
Please follow the 3 Steps listed below to upgrade to the professional certificate when one of the following occurs:
- During the last year of your temporary certificate (Expires in June of the current SY), or
- All requirements listed on your SOE have been met.
The Teacher Advisor: News You Can Use
Step 1: Go to Florida Department of Education’s website: https://flcertify.fldoe.org/datamart/login.do
Step 2: Log into your VERSA account.
Step 3: Choose the “Upgrade to Professional Certificate” application.
- Complete the application
Include all coverages that are currently on your temporary certificate.
Document at least one year of teaching experience.
- Submit the application fee of $75.00 directly to the FLDOE.
FTCE Study Resources: 240 Tutoring
240 Tutoring partners with the PCPS Recruitment and Teacher Engagement Office to offer all PCPS teachers and teacher candidates a 50% discount for access to all study guides. Email teacherengagement@polk-fl.net for additional information.
240 Tutoring study guides are comprehensive reviews of the ideas and concepts of each exam. 240 Tutoring also provides full-length practice exams. As a user, you will have access to instructional content, flashcards, quizzes, diagnostic tests, and practice tests.
If a user scores 90% on a Practice Test but fails the exam, then they are eligible for a money-back refund of up to 2 months of their subscription (see Terms of Use for details).
Contact Information
Office of Certification | Polk County Public Schools
1907 South Floral Avenue, Bartow, Florida 33831
certificationoffice@polk-fl.net| polkschoolsfl.com

Cheryl Hill
Director of Recruitment and Certification

Karen Pfister
Senior Coordinator

Susan Collier
Certification Specialist

Sherri Davis
Certification Specialist

Claudia Lazano
Certification Specialist
