Reading Requirement for Certification Renewal
What is the new 40-hour reading requirement?
Florida Statute Section 1012.585 (3) f states: An applicant for renewal of a professional certificate in any area of certification identified by State Board of Education rule that includes reading instruction or intervention for any students in kindergarten through grade 6, with a beginning validity date of July 1, 2020, or thereafter, must earn a minimum of 2 college credits or the equivalent inservice points in evidence-based instruction and interventions specifically designed for students with characteristics of dyslexia, including the use of explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to reading instruction, developing phonological and phonemic awareness, decoding, and implementing multisensory intervention strategies.
Who is affected?
Teachers with the following certification areas will be required to have 40 in-service hours/points in courses that count toward this requirement when they renew:
Elementary Education (K-6)
Pre-Kindergarten/Primary Education (age 3-Gr 3)
Elementary Education (1-6)
Primary Education (K-3)
English (Gr 1-6)
Middle Grades English (Gr 5-9)
Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum (Gr 5-9)
English (6-12)
Reading (K-12)
Reading (Endorsement)
ESOL (K-12) (This is for an ESOL-certified teacher, does not apply to ESOL endorsement.)
ESE (K-12)
When should a teacher begin to work on their 40 hours/points?
Certification Ending | Next Validity Period | When to Earn the 40 Hours/Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
June 30, 2020 | July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025 | Between July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2025 | or in the immediately preceding validity period and not already used for a prior renewal |
June 30, 2021 | July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2026 | Between July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2026 | |
June 30, 2022 | July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2027 | Between July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2027 | |
June 30, 2023 | July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2028 | Between July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2028 | |
June 30, 2024 | July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2029 | Between July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2029 | |
Which courses count toward this requirement?
Prior to April 2023: Comps 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the Reading Endorsement courses (60 hours/points)
From April 2023 forward: Each of the courses of the Reading Endorsement (Comps 1-5) (60 hours/points)
Local FDLRS facilitated course: PLA-Exploring Structured Literacy: next offered August 2025 (40 hours/points) also counts toward SWD requirement
Independent courses through PLA/BEESS Portal:
Reading Difficulties, Disabilities and Dyslexia (20 hours/points) also counts toward SWD requirement
Structured Literacy through a Multi-Sensory Approach (20 hours/points) also counts toward SWD requirement
Science of Reading: An Introduction (5 hours/points) also counts toward SWD requirement
Courses equivalent to Reading Comp 1 through UF Flamingo: Elementary Literacy Micro-Credential (60 hours/points) and Secondary Literacy Micro-Credential (60 hours/points)
DCPS professional learning courses are available for registration in PowerSchool under the credit area of Reading (Courses > Course Search > Show all > Click Reading under Credit Area on left hand side)
Please note that teachers cannot receive in-service points towards renewal for completing the same ASD, ESOL, Reading, Ed Leadership, Gifted or SWD course that was completed previously.
