Walton County School District is committed to hiring educators who are certified, qualified and teaching in-field for their respective positions.  Educators are responsible for maintaining a valid Florida or District certificate.  Certain positions allow for professional licensure in lieu of educator certification.  Information concerning Florida Educator Certification can be found at http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/index.stml.

In order to obtain an educator certification from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE),  make application and payment to the FLDOE at https://flcertify.fldoe.org/datamart/login.do.  Official college transcripts are required to be sent directly to the FLDOE for review.

After the FLDOE reviews the application, they will issue a Statement of Eligibility (SOE) indicating if you are eligible or are not eligible for a certificate.  Once you receive the SOE indicating you are eligible, you may be hired as a teacher.  The SOE outlines requirements for obtaining a temporary and a professional certificate.

Each subject requires 60 in-service points to renew. However, the minimum number of in-service points overall to renew is 120. Subjects may be carried over for one validity period. For more detailed information, go to http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/renewal-requirements/.

Included in the required 120 in-service points you may be required to have the following.

⮚ 20 in-service points in teaching students with disabilities (SWD) for all except District issued certificates.

⮚ 40 in-service points in evidence-based instruction and interventions grounded in the science of reading if the educator is renewing any of the following coverages: Elementary Education (K-6), Prekindergarten/Primary Education (age 3 through grade 3), Elementary Education (grades 1-6), Primary Education (grades K-3), English (grades 1-6), Middle Grades English (grades 5- 9), Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum (grades 5-9), English (6-12), Exceptional Student Education (grades K-12) (renewal beginning with a validity date of July 1, 2025), Reading (K-12), Reading (Endorsement), and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (grades K-12).

⮚ 20 in-service points in Florida’s educational leadership standards for individuals who hold a certificate in Educational Leadership.

Acceptable in-service equivalencies for renewal may be viewed on the FLDOE website.

Renewal requirements must be completed during the last validity period of the Professional Certificate and prior to the expiration of the Professional Certificate. It is the responsibility of each applicant to obtain current information regarding renewal requirements from the employing school district or Bureau of Educator Certification.                                            

The application form and appropriate fee must be submitted during the last year of the validity period of the certificate and prior to the expiration of the Professional Certificate.

• WCSD FLDOE Certificate Renewal Process

• WCSD Certificate Renewal Q & A

• Renewal Application Help Guide

Inservice completed during the validity period of current professional certificates may be transferred between Florida school districts. The process involves communicating with the school district from which points were earned and the Walton County School District Professional Development Department.  ESOL, Reading, and SWD in-service points are bankable if earned while holding a valid professional certificate.

Contact Cristina Davidson, TSA: Curriculum & Instruction at (850) 892-1100, ext. 1442, or email to cristina.davidson@walton.k12.fl.us for PD information.

• FTCE/FELE Contractor's Website

The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) has a program to assist military veterans with getting a teaching certificate while they are working on completing their bachelor's degree.  Information about the program is located on the FLDOE website at https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/military/.  There is also a link for assistance at TroopsTeaching4FL@fldoe.org. 

 If the veteran already has a bachelor's degree or above, an abundance of information can be found at https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/ to assist with the application process.

 Information is also located on the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) website about the Troops to Teachers program at https://www.dantes.mil/ttt/.

Schools recommend teachers in grades K-12 based on the needs and available funding.  Recommended candidates must have completed an online Instructional Application and hold a valid Florida Teaching Certificate and/or be eligible for an adjunct certificate.  To be eligible for an adjunct certificate you must have a bachelor's degree or higher and provide a passing score on the Florida subject area exam in the area you are providing instruction.