Alternative Certification Program

In the 2002-03 school year, Florida began statewide implementation of competency-based alternative certification programs that satisfy the professional preparation requirement so that individuals need not enroll at a college or university to qualify for a Professional Certificate.

The individuals participating in the programs already qualify for and hold nonrenewable three-year Temporary Certificates, which means subject area requirements have been met. In order to qualify for the five-year renewable Professional Certificate, the participants must pass the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (tests of General Knowledge, Professional Knowledge, and Subject Area Knowledge); and have their employing school district document their Professional Education Competence as a result of successful completion of an approved alternative certification program.

All school districts are required to offer a competency-based alternative certification program, either the program developed by the state or one developed by the district and approved by the state. In either case, the districts implement and run the programs. Florida has no alternative certification programs that are controlled by a college or university, but several institutions of higher education are collaborating with districts in the implementation of the approved programs.