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 active duty military service with an honorable/medical discharge on DD214;

• Minimum of 60 college credits with a 2.5 grade point average on an official transcript;

• Passing score on a Florida subject area examination for bachelor’s level subjects (except Exceptional Student Education K-12) which demonstrates mastery of subject area knowledge;

• Employment in a Florida school district, including charter schools, with an assigned mentor; and

• Cleared background screening.

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

The online application for the Temporary Military Veterans Certificate is open

• Military spouses and families are not eligible for this certification pathway.

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.

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 fees 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. · Acceptable forms of documentation can be found at Military (fldoe.org)

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

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 on the  fl.doe website for official documentation required by the department for review to determine that the veteran meets the qualifications.

LCS Military Veterans Certification Pathway Process

1. Apply for the (MCFW) Military Certification Fee Waiver

2. Once approval is received,schedule to take an appropriate bachelor’s level subject area examination (except Exceptional Student Education K-12) FTCE/FELE Home  (nesinc.com)

3. Once a passing score is achieved - Apply for certification with the (FLDOE) Florida Department of Education - Public Online Services (fldoe.org)

Submit the following documentation to the FLDOE:

• DD-214 – Verify 48 months of active-duty Military service

• Official Transcript – Verify 60 hours of college credit (2.5 GPA)

• Passing Score on SAE – DOE should have this on file when completed

You will then receive an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility from the FLDOE verifying your certification status. If the document reflects that you are eligible proceed to step 4.

4. Apply for Employment with Leon County Schools

Upload the following:

• Official Statement of Status of Eligibility

• DD-214

• Official transcripts

• Passing score report

Please indicate on your LCS Application that you are seeking veterans preference in the appropriate location.

• Military Veterans Certification Pathway
• Military Certification Fee Waivers
• Military Certification Examinations
• Acceptable Supporting Documents Chart
• Military Extensions to Certificates