A new change in Florida Statute for renewing a Professional Certificate will now require individuals who hold certification in School Principal or Educational Leadership to earn a minimum of one college credit or 20 Inservice points in Florida’s Educational Leadership Standards (FELS) each time they renew their certificate.

The new requirement will not add to the total 120 Inservice point requirement but specifies that a portion of the points align with leadership standards. The 20‐point Student with Disabilities’ (SWD) requirement remains a part of the 120 points required, as well as the new 40‐point Reading requirement for educators who hold certification in one of those areas identified by the State.

NON SCHOOL‐BASED ADMINISTRATORS who have not participated in and/or not completed one of the district’s leadership pipeline programs between 7/1/2020 – present may choose from the two options below to satisfy this new requirement. Non‐school based administrators who participated in LEAD, PROPEL or another district leadership pipeline program who completed coursework between 7/1/2020 ‐ present may be able to use those courses towards the 20 points in FELS.

SCHOOL‐BASED ADMINISTRATORS may satisfy this requirement from various principal and assistant principal meetings offered throughout the year and/or previous years as long as completed within the five‐year validity period of the certificate you are renewing. You will not need to use the two options available for non‐school based administratorsshown above.   The Professional Learning Standards & Support Department is currently identifying a list of these courses in LAB for you. They expect to accomplish this task by the end of October. At that time, you will be able to look in your LAB transcript under the FELS tab if you have credit in this area appropriate for renewal, providing you completed it within the validity period of the certificate you are renewing.

Important things to remember: 

• Courses completed in FELS are not bankable. Make sure you complete the 20 points in FELS within the validity period of the certificate you are renewing.  
• If you are planning to use college coursework to meet this requirement, the course must not be one taken as part of your educational leadership degree that originally qualified you for your certificate in that area. When you begin the renewal application process, you will need to include a copy of your transcript. Please refer to the Resource Guide for State Professional Certificate Holders provided below. 
  
  

For more information on Certification questions/renewal process email certificationrequests@browardschools.com.

For questions about verification of course approval: (only for non‐school‐based administrators that completed LEAD, PROPEL, or a DISTRICT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM) email sara.larosa@browardschools.com.

For questions about Lab Help email lab@browardschools.com.