Careers & Workforce Subcommittee — Committee Meeting Notice (January 14, 2026)
Summary
A meeting packet of the Careers & Workforce Subcommittee of the Florida House of Representatives for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 9:00 AM, with HB 561 Educator Certifications as the bill listed for consideration. The bill analysis states that the bill removes barriers to reinstatement of expired professional educator certificates and removes the current requirement to pass a subject area exam for each subject included on the certificate. It also requires the Department of Education to issue a temporary certificate while an educator earns required college credits or inservice points, and requires the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence to offer free professional learning to educators seeking to renew or reinstate a certificate. The packet ends with bill text of HB 561.
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Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
9:00 AM
Morris Hall (17 HOB)
Daniel Perez Tiffany Esposito
Speaker Chair
Committee Meeting Notice
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
Start Date and Time: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 09:00 AM
End Date and Time: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 10:00 AM
Location: Morris Hall (17 HOB)
Duration: 1.00 hrs
Consideration of the following bill(s):
HB 561 Educator Certifications by Gerwig
NOTICE FINALIZED on 01/12/2026 4:31PM by Kelley.Megan
01/12/2026 04:31:30PM Leagis ® Page 1 of 1
HB 561
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 561 COMPANION BILL: SB 1718 (Calatayud)
TITLE: Educator Certifications LINKED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): Gerwig RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Careers & Workforce PreK-12 Budget Education & Employment
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill removes barriers to reinstatement of expired professional educator certificates, providing educators with a
streamlined process for returning to the classroom. The bill also corrects a reference relating to the Florida Center
for Teaching Excellence and requires the center to offer free professional learning to educators seeking to renew or
reinstate their certificate.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill has a positive fiscal impact on educators seeking to reinstate an expired certificate due to the removal of a
fee-based exam requirement and the opportunity to earn the college credits or inservice points required for
reinstatement at no personal cost. The bill has an indeterminate fiscal impact on the Department of Education
(DOE). The bill also has an indeterminate fiscal impact on public or private entities that charge fees for professional
learning. The bill may have a positive fiscal impact on school districts by reducing the amount of professional
learning they need to offer.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill requires an applicant for reinstatement of a professional educator certificate to complete certain statutory
requirements, 1 but removes the current requirement 2 for an educator to pass a subject area exam for each subject
included on the certificate since he or she already demonstrated mastery of subject area knowledge in order to
receive the expired certificate. 3 When an expired certificate is reinstated, it must include each subject area and
endorsement held at the time of expiration. The bill also stipulates that inservice points completed for issuance of
the expired certificate may not be used to satisfy the requirements for reinstatement. (Section 2).
The bill requires the DOE to issue a temporary certificate to such an educator so he or she can begin teaching while
earning their required college credits or inservice points, 4 expediting the process of returning to the classroom and
removing an additional cost barrier for educators. (Section 1).
1 See s. 1012.56(2)(a) – (f), F.S. To seek certification, a person must be at least 18 years old; swear allegiance to constitutional
principles; hold a bachelor’s or higher degree; submit to background screening; be of good moral character; and be competent
and capable of performing the duties, functions, and responsibilities of an educator.
2 Section 1012.585(5)(c), F.S.
3 See s. 1012.56(2)(h), (5), and (7)(a)1., F.S. In order to receive a professional certificate, an applicant must demonstrate
mastery of subject area knowledge.
4 Section 1012.585(5)(b), F.S.
STORAGE NAME: h0561.CWS
DATE: 1/12/2026
1
HB 561
The bill corrects a reference to the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) at the University of South
Florida (USF) as the collaborator entity with Miami Dade College on the newly created Florida Center for Teaching
Excellence. 5 Instead, the David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching within USF will replace it.
The bill requires the center to offer professional learning, at no cost, to certified educators seeking to renew or
reinstate their certificate and to submit any inservice points earned to the DOE on the educator’s behalf. It also
requires the center to provide such educators with information on school district professional learning systems
that provide access to inservice training to persons not employed by the school district. (Section 3).
The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2026. (Section 4).
RULEMAKING:
Current law requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to adopt rules relating to educator certification
requirements and the process for reinstating an expired professional certificate. The bill modifies provisions of law
already under the SBE’s rulemaking authority, thus allowing the SBE to make rules to implement the bill.
Lawmaking is a legislative power; however, the Legislature may delegate a portion of such power to executive
branch agencies to create rules that have the force of law. To exercise this delegated power, an agency must
have a grant of rulemaking authority and a law to implement.
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT:
The bill has an indeterminate fiscal impact on the DOE for revenue associated with applications and subject area
exams taken by educators seeking to reinstate an expired professional certificate. The application fee to reinstate
an expired Professional Educator Certificate is $75 per subject. A subject area exam typically costs $150.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
The bill has an indeterminate fiscal impact on public entities that charge fees for professional learning. The bill may
have a positive fiscal impact on school districts by reducing the amount of professional learning they need to offer.
PRIVATE SECTOR:
The bill has a positive fiscal impact on educators since they will no longer have to pay to take a subject area exam
in order to reinstate an expired professional certificate. The bill also benefits such educators by allowing them to
earn the college credits or inservice points required for reinstatement at no personal cost while teaching under a
temporary certificate and eventually through the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence. The bill has an
indeterminate fiscal impact on private entities that charge fees for professional learning.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Educator Certification
In order for a person to serve as an educator in a traditional public school, charter school, virtual school, or other
publicly operated school, the person must hold a certificate issued by the DOE. 6 Persons seeking employment at a
public school as a school supervisor, principal, teacher, library media specialist, school counselor, athletic coach, or
in other instructional capacity must be certified. 7 The purpose of certification is to require school-based personnel
5 Section 1012.981, F.S. The Center was created by HB 875, which passed the Legislature in 2025.
6 Sections 1012.55(1) and 1002.33(12)(f), F.S.
7 Sections 1002.33(12)(f) (charter school teachers) and 1012.55(1), F.S. District school boards and charter school governing
boards are authorized to hire non-certified individuals who possess expertise in a given field to serve in an instructional
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
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HB 561
to “possess the credentials, knowledge, and skills necessary to allow the opportunity for a high-quality education in
the public schools.” 8
The DOE issues three main types of educator certificates:
• Professional Certificate: The professional certificate is Florida’s highest type of full-time educator
certification. 9 The professional certificate is valid for 5 years and is renewable. 10
• Temporary Certificate: The temporary certificate covers employment in full-time positions for which
educator certification is required. 11 Generally, a temporary certificate is valid for 5 years and is
nonrenewable. 12
• Athletic Coaching Certificate: The athletic coaching certificate covers full-time and part-time employment
as a public school’s athletic coach. 13 The DOE issues two types of athletic coaching certificates – one is valid
for 5 years and may be issued for subsequent 5-year periods while the other is valid for 3 years and may be
issued only once. 14 The 5-year certificate requires satisfaction of certain specialization requirements
established in rule. 15
Reinstating a Professional Educator Certificate
Under current law, 16 to reinstate an expired professional educator certificate, the certificate holder must submit an
application; complete 6 college credits, 120 inservice points, or a combination thereof, in specified areas 17 during
the 5 years immediately preceding reinstatement; and pass a subject area exam for each subject to be shown on the
reinstated certificate during those same 5 years. The requirements may not be satisfied by subject area exams or
college credits completed for issuance of the expired certificate. 18
The Florida Center for Teaching Excellence
The center was established by the Legislature at Miami Dade College in 2025 for the purpose of preparing high-
quality teachers for Florida through rigorous, evidence-based programs grounded in cognitive science, high-impact
teaching strategies, and the implementation of knowledge-rich curricula. 19 The center will work in collaboration
with the USF CITL institute. 20 Among other functions, the center is authorized to submit a professional learning
system for approval, pursuant to the School Community Professional Learning Act. 21 The Miami Dade College
Board of Trustees, in collaboration with the DOE, are responsible for establishing policies for the supervision,
administration, and governance of the center. 22
capacity. Rule 6A-1.0502, F.A.C.; ss. 1002.33(12)(f) and 1012.55(1)(c), F.S. Occupational therapists, physical therapists,
audiologists, and speech therapists are not required to be certified educators. Rule 6A-1.0502(10) and (11), F.A.C.
8 Section 1012.54, F.S.; see r. 6A-4.001(1), F.A.C.
9 Rule 6A-4.004(5), F.A.C.
10 Section 1012.56(7)(a), F.S.; see r. 6A-4.0051(3)(d), F.A.C. (validity period is expressed as 5 years from July 1 of the school
fiscal year). The DOE also issues a nonrenewable 5-year professional certificate that allows an applicant with a bachelor’s
degree in the area of speech-language impairment to complete a master’s degree in speech-language impairment. Section
1012.56(7)(c), F.S.; r. 6A-4.004(6), F.A.C.
11 Rule 6A-4.004(1)(a)2., F.A.C.
12 Section 1012.56(7)(f), F.S. (validity period is expressed in school fiscal years); r. 6A-4.004(1)(a), F.A.C. The veteran’s
pathway to educator certification authorizes a 5-year nonrenewable temporary certificate. Section 1012.56(7)(b)2., F.S. The
DOE also issues a nonrenewable temporary certificate, which is valid for 2 years in the area of speech-language impairment.
Section 1012.56(7)(c), F.S.
13 Section 1012.55(2)(a), F.S.
14 Rule 6A-4.004(7), F.A.C. (validity periods expressed in school fiscal years).
15 See r. 6A-4.0282, F.A.C.
16 Section 1012.585(5), F.S.
17 Section 1012.585(5)(b), F.S. See also s. 1012.585(3)(a) and (e), F.S.
18 Section 1012.585(5), F.S.
19 Section 1012.981(1), F.S.
20 Section 1012.981(2), F.S.
21 Section 1012.981(3), F.S. The School Community Professional Learning Act was established to bring various education
stakeholders together to work collaboratively to establish a coordinated system of professional learning. See s. 1012.98, F.S.
22 Section 1012.981(5), F.S.
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HB 561
RECENT LEGISLATION:
YEAR BILL #/SUBJECT HOUSE/SENATE OTHER INFORMATION
SPONSOR(S)
2025 CS/CS/HB 875 - Educator Preparation Rizo, Snyder/ Burgess Became law on May 30, 2025.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Educator Preparation and Certification Fact Sheet, Education & Employment Committee
BILL HISTORY
STAFF
DIRECTOR/ ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE POLICY CHIEF PREPARED BY
Careers & Workforce Kiner Blalock
Subcommittee
PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee
Education & Employment
Committee
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
HB 561 2026
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to educator certifications; amending
3 s. 1012.56, F.S.; revising the criteria for the award
4 of a temporary educator certification to include
5 certain persons with expired professional
6 certificates; amending s. 1012.585, F.S.; requiring
7 subject area coverages and endorsements for a
8 certificateholder to be reinstated with the
9 certificateholder's professional certificate; revising
10 requirements for reinstatement of a professional
11 certificate; prohibiting certain requirements for
12 reinstatement of a professional certificate to be met
13 using specific inservice points; amending s. 1012.981,
14 F.S.; requiring the Florida Center for Teaching
15 Excellence to collaborate with the David C. Anchin
16 Center for the Advancement of Teacher for specified
17 purposes; requiring, rather than authorizing, the
18 center to submit a specified professional learning
19 system for approval by the department; requiring the
20 center to allow certain certified educators to use
21 such system for specified purposes at no cost to the
22 educator; requiring the center to submit inservice
23 points for such educators to the department; requiring
24 the center to provide information for certain school
25 district professional learning systems; providing an
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26 effective date.
27
28 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
29
30 Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (7) of section
31 1012.56, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
32 1012.56 Educator certification requirements.—
33 (7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.—
34 (b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to
35 any applicant who:
36 1. Completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs
37 (2)(a)-(f) and completes the subject area content requirements
38 specified in state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject
39 area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5) and holds an
40 accredited degree or a degree approved by the Department of
41 Education at the level required for the subject area
42 specialization in state board rule;
43 2. For a subject area specialization for which the state
44 board otherwise requires a bachelor's degree, documents 48
45 months of active-duty military service with an honorable
46 discharge or a medical separation; completes the requirements
47 outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and (d)-(f); completes the
48 subject area content requirements specified in state board rule
49 or demonstrates mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to
50 subsection (5); and documents completion of 60 college credits
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51 with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0
52 scale, as provided by one or more accredited institutions of
53 higher learning or a nonaccredited institution of higher
54 learning identified by the Department of Education as having a
55 quality program resulting in a bachelor's degree or higher; or
56 3. Is enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation
57 program under s. 1004.04; is actively completing the required
58 program field experience or internship at a public school;
59 completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b),
60 and (d)-(f); completes the subject area content requirements
61 specified in state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject
62 area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5); and documents
63 completion of 60 college credits with a minimum cumulative grade
64 point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as provided by one or more
65 accredited institutions of higher learning or a nonaccredited
66 institution of higher learning identified by the Department of
67 Education as having a quality program resulting in a bachelor's
68 degree or higher; or.
69 4. Completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs
70 (2)(a)-(f) and whose previously issued professional certificate
71 has expired.
72
73 At least 1 year before an individual's temporary certificate is
74 set to expire, the department shall electronically notify the
75 individual of the date on which his or her certificate will
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76 expire and provide a list of each method by which the
77 qualifications for a professional certificate can be completed.
78 Section 2. Subsection (5) of section 1012.585, Florida
79 Statutes, is amended to read:
80 1012.585 Process for renewal or reinstatement of
81 professional certificates.—
82 (5) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to
83 allow the reinstatement of expired professional certificates,
84 including each subject area coverage and endorsement held by the
85 certificateholder at the time of the certificate's expiration.
86 The department may reinstate an expired professional certificate
87 if the certificateholder:
88 (a) Submits an application for reinstatement of the
89 expired certificate.
90 (b) Completes the requirements in s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f).
91 (c)(b) Documents completion of 6 college credits during
92 the 5 years immediately preceding reinstatement of the expired
93 certificate, completion of 120 inservice points, or a
94 combination thereof, in an area specified in paragraph (3)(a) to
95 include the credit required under paragraph (3)(e).
96 (c) During the 5 years immediately preceding reinstatement
97 of the certificate, achieves a passing score on the Florida-
98 developed subject area examination or, if a Florida subject area
99 examination has not been developed, a standardized examination
100 specified in state board rule for each subject to be shown on
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101 the reinstated certificate.
102
103 The requirements of this subsection may not be satisfied by
104 subject area examinations or college credits or inservice points
105 completed for issuance of the certificate that has expired.
106 Section 3. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 1012.981,
107 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
108 1012.981 The Florida Center for Teaching Excellence.—
109 (2) The center shall, in collaboration with the David C.
110 Anchin Center for the Advancement of Innovative Teaching within
111 and Learning at the University of South Florida, do all of the
112 following:
113 (a) Develop and deliver evidence-based professional
114 learning opportunities aligned to the Florida Educator
115 Accomplished Practices.
116 (b) Develop and deliver educator training programs
117 pursuant to s. 1012.98 that integrate high-quality instructional
118 materials included on the state-adopted instructional materials
119 list under s. 1006.28, materials evaluated and identified
120 pursuant to s. 1001.215(4), and materials developed by or under
121 the direction of the department as provided in s. 1006.39. These
122 programs must focus on the effective use of knowledge-based
123 curricula, highlighting when and how to incorporate intervention
124 materials, and emphasize the importance of background knowledge
125 in building advanced reading comprehension grounded in the
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126 science of reading and critical thinking skills.
127 (c) Develop and design models of high-quality clinical
128 experiences for aspiring teachers. These model experiences shall
129 serve as a standard that institutions approved pursuant to ss.
130 1004.04 and 1004.85 can adopt or adapt, enabling participants to
131 demonstrate mastery of instructional techniques, classroom
132 management strategies, and the application of high-impact
133 teaching strategies in authentic educational settings.
134 (d) Collaborate with school districts and other
135 educational stakeholders to identify emerging needs in teacher
136 preparation and align center programs accordingly, conducting
137 gap analyses to provide comprehensive coverage of the science of
138 learning, high-impact teaching strategies, and knowledge-rich
139 curriculum implementation.
140 (e) Establish a statewide network of teachers and
141 instructional leaders equipped with the knowledge and skills to
142 mentor and support aspiring and current educators participating
143 in the center's programs. This network shall model effective
144 pedagogical practices and facilitate professional growth.
145 (f) Conduct research and disseminate findings on high-
146 impact teaching practices and the implementation of knowledge-
147 based curricula to inform policy, improve classroom instruction,
148 and address the importance of background knowledge in student
149 achievement.
150 (g) Report to the department the completion of
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151 professional learning by individuals who are not employed by
152 entities with an approved professional learning system.
153 (3) The center:
154 (a) Must may submit a professional learning system for
155 approval pursuant to s. 1012.98.
156 (b) Shall allow a certified educator seeking to renew or
157 reinstate his or her certificate to use the system at no cost
158 and submit any inservice points earned by the educator through
159 the system to the department on the educator's behalf.
160 (c) Shall provide a certified educator seeking to renew or
161 reinstate a certificate with information on school district
162 professional learning systems that provide access to inservice
163 training to persons not employed by the school district.
164 Section 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
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