Florida Teacher Certification Renewal 2026: Inservice Points, Reading Requirement, and FLDOE Process

Last updated March 2026

Florida teacher certification renewal is handled differently than most states — instead of "professional development hours," Florida uses a system called inservice points. The terminology is slightly different, but the concept is similar: you need to accumulate a set number of points through approved professional learning activities before your certificate expires.

This guide covers the 2026 Florida teacher certification renewal process from start to finish, including the 120 inservice point requirement, the required reading component, district PL catalogs, and how to submit your renewal through the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).

Florida Teacher Certification Renewal: Key Facts

• Renewal cycle: Every 5 years
• Inservice points required: 120 points
• Required reading component: 6 inservice points in reading/literacy instruction
• Governing body: Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), Bureau of Educator Certification
• Where to renew: FLDOE's online certification portal at fldoe.org
• Renewal fee: $75 (as of 2026)

What Are Florida Inservice Points?

Inservice points are Florida's version of PD hours or CPE credits. One inservice point is generally equivalent to one hour of approved professional learning. So 120 inservice points equals approximately 120 hours of professional development over your 5-year renewal period.

The key word here is approved. Not all training counts toward Florida inservice points — the activity must be offered through an approved provider or your district's official inservice catalog.

The 6-Point Reading Requirement

Florida requires all classroom teachers to complete at least 6 inservice points in reading instruction as part of each renewal cycle. This requirement was introduced as part of Florida's strong focus on literacy outcomes and aligns with the state's Just Read, Florida! initiative.

The reading requirement applies to all classroom teachers, not just Language Arts or Reading specialists. Math, science, PE — it doesn't matter. If you teach students, you need 6 points in reading.

Qualifying reading activities include:

• Courses and workshops specifically focused on reading instruction strategies
• Training in structured literacy or science of reading approaches
• Literacy coaching certification programs
• Reading endorsement coursework (also earns an endorsement if you complete all requirements)
• District-offered reading PD that is coded as meeting the requirement

Important: Make sure the activity is specifically labeled as satisfying the Florida reading requirement. General ELA professional development may not count unless it's coded correctly in your district's system.

District PL Catalogs: Where Most Teachers Get Their Points

Florida's district professional learning (PL) catalogs are the most common source of inservice points. Every Florida school district maintains an approved list of PD activities — workshops, online courses, and training sessions — that have been pre-approved by FLDOE for inservice point credit.

How to Access Your District's PL Catalog

1. Log in to your district's teacher portal (varies by district — it might be on Canvas, Frontline Professional Growth, MyLearningPlan, or a district-specific system).
2. Browse the professional learning catalog for approved activities.
3. Register for and complete activities.
4. Points are automatically recorded in your district's system and reported to FLDOE.

The advantage of district catalog courses is that they're pre-approved and automatically tracked. You don't have to worry about whether an activity counts — if it's in the district's approved catalog with inservice point values assigned, it counts.

Non-District PD

You can also earn inservice points from non-district sources, but these require more legwork:

• College coursework: One semester credit = approximately 15 inservice points. You'll need to submit transcripts to your district for the points to be recorded.
• Conferences and external workshops: Can count if the provider is FLDOE-approved or if your district pre-approves the activity. Always get pre-approval in writing before attending an external workshop.
• National Board Certification: All NBPTS activities count and earn substantial inservice points.

How to Submit Your Florida Teacher Certification Renewal

1. Check your inservice point total. Log in to the FLDOE Educator Certification portal or your district's PD tracking system to see how many points you've accumulated. Some districts report to FLDOE automatically; others require a manual process.
2. Confirm the 6 reading points are included. Look specifically for activities coded as reading/literacy. This is a separate check from total hours.
3. Access the FLDOE renewal application. Go to fldoe.org and log in with your FEID (Florida Educator Identification Number).
4. Submit the renewal application. The online form asks you to attest to your inservice points and confirm contact information.
5. Pay the $75 renewal fee via credit card or eCheck.
6. Receive your renewed certificate. FLDOE processes most renewals within 6–8 weeks. Your certificate will be updated in the system, and you can print a wallet card or certificate from the portal.

Special Endorsements and Additional Requirements

ESOL Endorsement

If you work with English Language Learners, Florida requires an ESOL endorsement. If you hold or are working toward an ESOL endorsement, those coursework hours count toward both the endorsement and your 120 inservice points.

Gifted Endorsement

Teachers working with gifted students need a Gifted endorsement. Like ESOL, the coursework counts toward your inservice point total.

Reading Endorsement

If you're planning to pursue a Reading endorsement, the required coursework will more than cover your 6-point reading requirement and will count toward your 120-point total.

What Happens If You Don't Renew in Time?

An expired Florida teaching certificate means you cannot legally work in a Florida public school in a certified position. Your district will receive a notification from FLDOE, and you'll be placed on administrative leave or reassigned to a non-classroom role.

Florida allows renewal after expiration (within 5 years of expiration), but the process is more complicated and fees are higher. After 5 years of expiration, you may need to reapply for initial certification.

Fees at a Glance

Action	Fee
Standard renewal	$75
Adding an endorsement at renewal	Included in renewal fee
Late renewal fee	Additional $75
Duplicate certificate	$15

Your Florida Certification Renewal Checklist

1. Look up your certificate expiration date on the FLDOE portal
2. Set a calendar reminder 12 months before expiration
3. Check your current inservice point total in your district's PL system
4. Confirm at least 6 of those points are coded as reading/literacy
5. Plan and complete activities to reach 120 points before expiration
6. Submit the FLDOE renewal application at least 60 days before expiration
7. Pay the $75 fee and save your confirmation
8. Print your updated certificate from the FLDOE portal

Stay Informed on Florida Requirements

Florida's education landscape moves fast — the legislature has made numerous changes to certification requirements, reading mandates, and inservice point rules in recent years. What applied at your last renewal may have changed.

For a full breakdown of Florida teacher certification types, fees, and inservice point requirements, visit the ChalkReady Florida page.