Florida State Personnel Standards

Florida State Personnel Standards

Audiologist

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Discipline Audiologist
License/Certificate Licensed Audiologist
State Department Florida Board of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology
State Department Hyperlink https://floridasspeechaudiology.gov/licensing/audiologist/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate with a major emphasis in audiology
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework 1. Applicants who earned a doctoral degree from an approved program conferred before January 1, 2008, must complete sixty (60) semester hours, of which twenty-four (24) semester hours must be in audiology. 2. Applicants who earned a doctoral degree from an approved program conferred after January 1, 2008, must complete seventy-five (75) semester hours, One (1) hour of HIV/AIDS, Two (2) hours in Prevention of Medical Errors.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? 300 clock hours supervised experience with at least 200 of the 300 hours in the area of audiology.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Praxis II Audiology, passing score= 170
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Audiologists must provide the following information: 1. Experience and Caseload 2. Children under three months of age: - At least one year of experience as a licensed audiologist - A minimum caseload of children under three years of age that comprises at least 10% of the total caseload. - A diagnosis of hearing loss in at least five children younger than 12 months; and - Hearing aid fitting for at least three children who are 12 months or younger or an agreement with another CMS-approved audiologist to refer to for hearing aid fitting Children from three months to 36 months of age: - At least one year of experience as a licensed audiologist - A minimum caseload of children that comprises at least 25% of the total caseload. - Successful completion of hearing evaluation for a minimum of 20 children per year who have craniofacial anomalies and/or neurodevelopmental disorders. - Two written reports: One report must be a child under three months evaluated using auditory evoked potentials. Redact all identifying information in the report and supporting documentation The second report may be a child ranging in age from birth to 36 months.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist

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Discipline Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist
License/Certificate Certification in the Area of Hearing Impaired
State Department Florida Department of Education
State Department Hyperlink https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/certificate-subjects/administrative-rules/6a-4-0172.stml
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Kindergarten - 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's degree or higher with an undergraduate or graduate major in hearing impaired, or a bachelor's or higher degree with thirty (30) semester hours in exceptional student education.
  (a) Foundations of exceptional student education to include historical perspectives, student characteristics, and trends and issues;

(b) Educational management of exceptional students to include classroom organization, behavior management, and consultation skills;

(c) Audiology, anatomy, and physiology of human speech and auditory mechanisms, including assessment, amplification, and assistive listening devices;

(d) Introduction to the education of students who are hearing impaired to include the nature and needs of hearing-impaired and multi-handicapped students, trends and issues, family support and intervention, and community resources;

(e) Language development to include the application of English linguistics, psycholinguistics, and sociolinguistics to the education of hearing-impaired students, including ages birth to five (5) years;

(f) Auditory development and learning to include methods of auditory learning, assessment, and techniques for evaluating the acoustic environment;

(g) Manual communication to include manually coded English and American Sign Language;

(h) Instructional strategies for teaching students who are hearing impaired to include credit in the following:

  1. Teaching language to include instructional procedures to affect language learning to students who are hearing impaired including ages birth to age five (5) years;
  2. Speech development to include production and transmission of speech and instructional and assessment strategies to facilitate the development of speech skills for students who are hearing impaired including ages birth to age five (5) years;
  3. Teaching reading to students who are hearing impaired to include theories, curricular adaptations, and assessment;
  4. Teaching mathematics, science, and social studies to students who are hearing impaired to include procedures for curricular adaptations; and
  5. Teaching social and personal skills for students who are hearing impaired to include employability skills, career awareness, and transition planning for adult living.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Must pass all three portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) and Hearing Impaired K-12 (scaled score of 200)
Additional requirements specific to Part C? To be "credentialed" as a Florida Early Steps (Part C) provider, Hearing Specialists applicants must document one-year post-degree professional experience in early intervention. - One year of experience in early intervention equals 1600 hours of hands-on experience with children aged from birth up to 5 years old with special needs and/or developmental delays and their families. Time spent in a practicum or internship situation (up to 400 hours) may apply toward the 1600 hours of hands-on experience. - Without one-year experience: In lieu of one-year experience, you must complete the Early Steps Provider Mentorship Documentation Form within six months of being employed or contracted by a Local Early Steps. - Volunteer work is not considered professional experience for enrollment requirements - Practicum or internship experiences completed in a Local Early Steps within the past 18 months, that match those of the mentorship can be documented on the Early Steps Mentorship Documentation Form and apply to the mentorship. - Level II (FBI) Background Screening: This must be submitted to allow you to complete a mentorship if required, and/or begin providing services.

Early Childhood Educator

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Discipline Early Childhood Educator
License/Certificate Certification in the Area of Preschool Education
State Department Florida Department of Education
State Department Hyperlink https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/certificate-subjects/administrative-rules/6a-4-0141.stml
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 4 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure specific coursework?
  1. Three (3) semester hours in child growth and development from conception to age eight (8) with emphasis on infants, toddlers, and preschoolers;
  2. Three (3) semester hours in the historical, philosophical, and sociological perspectives in early childhood education with emphasis on infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; 
  3. Eighteen (18) semester hours in developmentally appropriate integrated curriculum and practices in programs serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers which include integrated field experiences;
  4. Six (6) semester hours in issues and practices to promote family and community involvement in programs serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers which include integrated field experiences;
  5. Three (3) semester hours in health, nutrition, and safety in programs serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers;
  6. Three (3) semester hours in diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers which include integrated field experiences;
  7. Six (6) semester hours in special needs of all infants, toddlers, and preschoolers which include integrated field experiences; and
  8. Three semester hours in child guidance and management of the physical settings for programs serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers which include integrated field experiences.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Completion of twelve (12) semester hours to include integrated field experiences as specified below:
  1. Credit in developmentally appropriate integrated curriculum and practices in programs serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers;
  2. Credit in diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers;
  3. Credit in the special needs of all infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; and
  4. Credit in child guidance and management of the physical settings for programs serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Florida Teacher Certification Examination: Preschool Education Birth Age 4, Passing score= A scaled score of at least 200.

Prekindergarten/Primary Education

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Discipline Primary Educator
License/Certificate Prekindergarten/Primary Education (Age Three through grade Three)
State Department Florida Department of Education
State Department Hyperlink https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/certificate-subjects/administrative-rules/6a-4-0142.stml
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range 3 yrs - 8 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework
  1. Three (3) semester hours in child growth and development from conception to age eight (8);
  2. Three (3) semester hours in the historical, philosophical, and sociological perspectives in early childhood education;
  3. Eighteen (18) semester hours in developmentally appropriate integrated curriculum and practices in programs serving age three (3) through grade three (3) which include integrated field experiences;
  4. Six (6) semester hours in issues and practices to promote family and community involvement which include integrated field experiences;
  5. Three (3) semester hours in health, nutrition, and safety;
  6. Three (3) semester hours in diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation which include integrated field experiences;
  7. Six (6) semester hours in special needs of all children and their families which include integrated field experiences; and
  8. Three (3) semester hours in child guidance and classroom management which include integrated field experiences.
Licensure Specific Coursework? Completion of twelve (12) semester hours in prekindergarten/primary education to include integrated field experiences as specified below:
  1. Credit in developmentally appropriate integrated curriculum and practices in programs serving children age five (5) through grade three (3);
  2. Credit in diagnosis, assessment, and evaluation for children age five (5) through grade three (3);
  3. Credit in special needs of children (age five [5] through grade [3]) and their families; and
  4. Credit in child guidance and classroom management for children (age five [5] through grade three [3]).
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE): Prekindergarten/Primary Education PK-3.

Early Childhood Special Educator – Prekindergarten Disabilities Endorsement

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Discipline Early Childhood Special Educator
License/Certificate Prekindergarten Disabilities Endorsement
State Department Florida Department of Education
State Department Hyperlink https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/certificate-subjects/administrative-rules/6a-4-01792.stml
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range 3 yrs - 5 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework Requires additional certification in any exceptional student education area, preschool education, primary education, prekindergarten/primary education, elementary education (K-6), or early childhood education.

Twelve (12) semester hours in prekindergarten disabilities education to include the areas specified below:

  1. Six (6) semester hours in the development and implementation of individualized educational programs for the prekindergarten child with disabilities to include formal and informal evaluation techniques; developmentally appropriate curriculum, methods, and intervention strategies; teaming approaches to facilitate inclusion in appropriate learning environments; and multidisciplinary approaches and techniques for serving the child and the family;
  2. Three (3) semester hours in child development to include theories of the atypical child, the stages and sequences of development, and the impact of disabilities and biomedical risk factors on learning; and
  3. Three (3) semester hours in family collaboration and support to include family systems theory and interaction; community resources; service coordination; and transition.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Graduates of Florida state-approved teacher preparation programs must pass all three portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE), to qualify for a Professional Florida Educator's Certificate.
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Infant/Toddler Developmental Specialist Certificate through Early Steps (as a non-licensed professional).
Alternative Route Provisional or temporary Preschool Disabilities Endorsement (add-on) is alternatively available through modules in a face-to-face facilitated model and can be added to primary education, elementary education (K-6), early childhood education, or any ESE Florida educator certificate.

Family Therapist

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Discipline Family Therapist
License/Certificate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
State Department Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
State Department Hyperlink https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/licensing/licensed-marriage-and-family-therapist/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's degree with major emphasis in marriage and family therapy, or closely related field.
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework Must have 36 semester hours or 48 quarter hours of graduate coursework, which must include a minimum of 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours of graduate-level course credits in each of the following nine areas: (1) dynamics of marriage and family systems; (2) marriage therapy and counseling theory and techniques; (3) family therapy and counseling theory and techniques; (4) individual human development theories throughout the life cycle; (5) personality theory or general counseling theory and techniques; (6) psychopathology; (7) human sexuality theory; (8) psychosocial theory; (9) substance abuse theory and counseling techniques. (10) a minimum of one graduate-level course of 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours in legal, ethical, and professional standards issues in the practice of marriage and family therapy or a course determined by the board to be equivalent. (11) a minimum of one graduate-level course of 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours in diagnosis, appraisal, assessment, and testing for individual or interpersonal disorder or dysfunction; and (12) a minimum of one 3 semester hour of 4 quarter-hours graduate-level course in behavioral research which focuses on the interpretation and application of research data as it applies to clinical practice.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Two (2) years of post master’s supervised experience under the supervision of a board-approved qualified supervisor. These hours must be documented on the Verification of Clinical Experience Form.

The supervision experience must have consisted of:

At least 100 hours of supervision in no less than 100 weeks; 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients; and, 1 hour of supervision every two weeks
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. Must pass the national examination developed by the Examination Advisory Committee of the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) and Professional Examination Services. (If you have passed the TX, OH, or the CA written/oral exam [offered prior to April 2014], you are exempt from passing the national exam FL requires). 2. Must complete an eight-hour laws and rules course from a board-approved provider. Must complete a two-hour prevention of medical errors course from a board-approved provider. 3. Must complete a three-hour HIV/AIDS course and two-hour domestic violence course from a board-approved provider within six months of licensure. 4. Must also pass a theory and practice examination provided by the department for this purpose.
Additional requirements specific to Part C? One year of post-degree professional, discipline-specific experience that must be hands-on experience with children aged from birth up to 60 months old that have special needs and/or developmental delays. Mentorship is required for providers (with the exception of associates and assistants) who do not have one year of post-degree professional early intervention experience.

Nurse

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Discipline Nurse
License/Certificate Registered Nurse (RN)
State Department Florida Department of Health
State Department Hyperlink https://floridasnursing.gov/licensing/licensed-practical-nurse-registered-nurse-by-examination/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Associate's degree in nursing
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN); pass/fail.
Additional requirements specific to Part C? One year of post-degree professional, discipline-specific experience that must be hands-on experience with children aged from birth up to 60 months old that have special needs and/or developmental delays. Mentorship is required for providers (with the exception of associates and assistants) who do not have one year of post-degree professional early intervention experience.

Occupational Therapist

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Discipline Occupational Therapist
License/Certificate Licensed Occupational Therapist
State Department Florida Board of Occupational Therapy
State Department Hyperlink https://floridasoccupationaltherapy.gov/licensing/occupational-therapist/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Have graduated from an accredited occupational therapy program accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Have completed 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork experience at a recognized educational institution or a training program approved by the education institution where you met the academic requirements.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Have passed an examination approved by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) for occupational therapists.
Additional requirements specific to Part C? To be "credentialed" as a Florida Early Steps (Part C) provider must have one year of post-degree professional, the discipline-specific experience must be hands-on experience with children aged from birth up to 60 months old that have special needs and/or developmental delays. Mentorship is required for providers (with the exception of associates and assistants) who do not have one year of post-degree professional early intervention experience.

Physical Therapist

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Discipline Physical Therapist
License/Certificate Licensed Physical Therapist
State Department Florida Board of Physical Therapy
State Department Hyperlink https://floridasphysicaltherapy.gov/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? 1. National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), Passing Score= 600 2. Florida Laws and Rules (Jurisprudence Exam; pass/fail
Additional requirements specific to Part C? One year of post-degree professional, discipline-specific experience that must be hands-on experience with children aged from birth up to 60 months old that have special needs and/or developmental delays. Mentorship is required for providers (with the exception of associates and assistants) who do not have one year of post-degree professional early intervention experience.

Psychologist

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Discipline Psychologist
License/Certificate Licensed Psychologist
State Department Florida Department of Health
State Department Hyperlink https://floridaspsychology.gov/licensing/psychologist-licensure-by-examination/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate in psychology from an APA accredited institution.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? A total of 4000 hours of supervised experience. The Board accepts the doctoral level psychology internship in satisfaction of the first 2000 hours of the required experience. Applicants must complete the remaining 2000 hours as post-doctoral supervised experience according to the requirements of Rule 64B19-11.005, Florida Administrative Code. Bifurcation/Examination applicants may sit for the required examinations while completing any outstanding hours of the required post-doctoral supervised experience.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? A passing score on the State of Florida’s psychology laws and rules examination is required along with the passage of the EPPP administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)
Additional requirements specific to Part C? To be "credentialed" as a Florida Early Steps (Part C) provider must have one year of post-degree professional, the discipline-specific experience must be hands-on experience with children aged from birth up to 60 months old that have special needs and/or developmental delays. Mentorship is required for providers (with the exception of associates and assistants) who do not have one year of post-degree professional early intervention experience.

School Psychologist

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Discipline School Psychologist
License/Certificate Certified School Psychologist
State Department Florida Board of Psychology
State Department Hyperlink https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/certificate-subjects/administrative-rules/6a-4-0311.stml
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range PK- 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement A doctorate degree with a specialization in school psychology; a degree from a specialist-level program of study (e.g., EdS, PsyS, CAGS, Master’s); a valid credential as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist; or a doctorate degree from a specialist-level program of study in clinical psychology or counseling psychology
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Completion of a twelve-hundred (1200) hour, supervised internship with at least six-hundred (600) hours completed in an elementary or secondary school setting.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Florida Teacher Certification Examination: School Psychologist PK-12 with a scaled score of at least 200
Additional requirements specific to Part C? To be "credentialed" as a Florida Early Steps (Part C) provider must have one year of post-degree professional, the discipline-specific experience must be hands-on experience with children aged from birth up to 60 months old that have special needs and/or developmental delays. Mentorship is required for providers (with the exception of associates and assistants) who do not have one year of post-degree professional early intervention experience.

Social Worker – Clinical

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Discipline Social Worker
License/Certificate Licensed Clinical Social Worker
State Department Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
State Department Hyperlink https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/licensing/licensed-clinical-social-worker/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework Must have completed 24 semester hours or 32 quarter hours in the theory of human behavior and practice methods as courses in clinically oriented services, including a minimum of one course in psychopathology. Courses not considered to be clinically oriented are policy, administration, organization, and communities.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Must complete a supervised field placement as part of the master's program, during which the applicant provided clinical services directly to clients.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Association of Social Work Boards Clinical level exam
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Infant/Toddler Developmental Specialist Certificate through Early Steps (as a non-licensed professional): Certificate added onto a degree, (Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in early childhood education or early childhood/special education, child and family development, family life specialist, communication sciences, psychology, or social work). If an ITDS applicant has an ITDS certificate from approved coursework or an approved waiver request for the ITDS modules for certification, the education requirement is: have a Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, early childhood/special education, child and family development, family life specialist, communication sciences, psychology or social work. ITDS applicants with an ITDS certificate from approved coursework or an approved waiver request, the work requirement is: have and be able to document one year of post-degree professional experience in early intervention.
Additional requirements specific for schools? Certified School Social Worker

Social Worker – Certified School

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Discipline Social Worker
License/Certificate Certified School Social Worker
State Department Florida Department of Education
State Department Hyperlink https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/certificate-subjects/administrative-rules/6a-4-035.stml
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range PK - 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement A master’s or higher degree with a graduate major in social work.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Three hundred (300) hours or more of field placement in a K-12 school setting
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Infant/Toddler Developmental Specialist Certificate through Early Steps (as a non-licensed professional): Certificate added onto a degree, (Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in early childhood education or early childhood/special education, child and family development, family life specialist, communication sciences, psychology, or social work). If an ITDS applicant has an ITDS certificate from approved coursework or an approved waiver request for the ITDS modules for certification, the education requirement is: have a Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, early childhood/special education, child and family development, family life specialist, communication sciences, psychology or social work. ITDS applicants with an ITDS certificate from approved coursework or an approved waiver request, the work requirement is: have and be able to document one year of post-degree professional experience in early intervention.

Speech-Language Pathologist – Licensed

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Discipline Speech-Language Pathologist
License/Certificate Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
State Department Board of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology
State Department Hyperlink https://floridasspeechaudiology.gov/licensing/speech-language-pathologist/ 
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master’s degree or completion of the academic requirements of a doctoral program, with a major emphasis in speech-language pathology.
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework Applicants enrolled in an approved program must complete a minimum of seventy-five (75) semester hours at least thirty-six (36) hours earned at the graduate level.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? 300 clock hours of supervised experience with at least 200 hours in the area of speech-language pathology.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Praxis II Speech-Language Pathology exam, passing score= 600
Additional requirements specific to Part C? One year of post-degree professional, discipline-specific experience that must be hands-on experience with children aged from birth up to 60 months old that have special needs and/or developmental delays. Mentorship is required for providers (with the exception of associates and assistants) who do not have one year of post-degree professional early intervention experience. Speech-Language Pathologists with provisional licenses are required to complete the Early Steps Mentorship.

Speech Language Pathologist – School

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Discipline Speech-Language Pathologist
License/Certificate Certification in the Area of Speech-Language Impaired
State Department Florida Department of Education
State Department Hyperlink http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/administrative-rules/6a-4-0176.stml
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Kindergarten - 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement A master's or higher degree with a graduate major in speech-language pathology.
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework 1. Three (3) semester hours of graduate credit in each of the following:

a. Evaluation of speech, language, and hearing disorders;
b. Management of articulation disorders;
c. Management of fluency disorders;
d. Management of voice disorders; and
e. Management of auditory disorders; and

2. Six (6) semester hours of graduate credit in management of language disorders of children.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Three hundred (300) clock hours of supervised clinical practice to include one hundred fifty (150) clock hours at the graduate level. The supervised clinical practice shall include each of the following areas: evaluation of speech and language problems; management of language disorders in children; management of disorders of articulation, fluency, and voice; and assessment and management of auditory disorders.
Additional requirements specific to Part C? One year of post-degree professional, discipline-specific experience that must be hands-on experience with children aged from birth up to 60 months old that have special needs and/or developmental delays. Mentorship is required for providers (with the exception of associates and assistants) who do not have one year of post-degree professional early intervention experience. Speech-Language Pathologists with provisional licenses are required to complete the Early Steps Mentorship.

Vision Specialist

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Discipline Vision Specialist
License/Certificate Certification in the Area of Visually Impaired
State Department Florida Department of Education
State Department Hyperlink https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/certificate-subjects/administrative-rules/6a-4-0178.stml
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Kindergarten - 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's degree
Licensure specific coursework (a) Foundations of exceptional student education to include historical perspectives, student characteristics, and trends and issues;
(b) Educational management of exceptional students to include classroom organization, behavior management, and consultation skills;
(c) Methods and materials for teaching reading to include:
  1. Sequential developmental skills and concepts of reading,
  2. Recognition and diagnosis of reading problems, and
  3. Prescription and utilization of appropriate methods and materials to increase reading performance; and

(d) Specialized courses for the education of students who are visually impaired to include each of the following:

  1. Introduction to visual impairments including psychological, social, and emotional implications; history of educational services; and current delivery models;
  2. Introduction to orientation and mobility to include theories, concepts, and the impact of mobility on the individual, the family, and the community;
  3. The teaching of reading and writing of English Braille;
  4. Functions of the eye and educational implications to include interpretation of medical eye reports, the structure of the eye, disease and impairments, low vision training, and the use and care of optical aids; and

(e) Instructional strategies for teaching students who are visually impaired to include each of the following:

  1. Teaching and assessing personal and social skills to include personal hygiene, self-care, interpersonal relationships, career awareness, and social interaction with peers;
  2. Teaching and assessing communication skills and reading including the use of specialized equipment; and
  3. Teaching and assessing mathematics, science, and technology to include Nemeth code, abacus, specialized science materials, adapted technology, and computer access devices.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Must pass all three portions of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) and Visually Impaired K-12 (scaled score of 200).
Additional requirements specific to Part C? To be "credentialed" as a Florida Early Steps (Part C) provider, Vision Specialist applicants must document one-year post-degree professional experience in early intervention.