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 http://floridasspeechaudiology.gov/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
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? Audiologist 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 http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/administrative-rules/6a-4-0172.stml
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Kindergarten - 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
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 http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/administrative-rules/6a-4-0141.stml
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 4 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Florida Teacher Certification Examination: Preschool Education Birth Age 4, Passing score= A scaled score of at least 200.

Early Childhood Special Educator – Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS)

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Discipline Early Childhood Special Educator
License/Certificate Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS)
State Department Department of Health
State Department Hyperlink http://www.floridahealth.gov/alternatesites/cms-kids/providers/early_steps/training/itds/itds_provider.html
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - 3 yrs
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Additional requirements specific for schools? Prekindergarten Disabilities Endorsement

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 http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/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 Twelve (12) semester hours in prekindergarten disabilities education to include the areas specified below: (a) 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; (b) 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 (c) 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 in 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 http://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/licensing/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
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 hour 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? Must complete a minimum of one supervised clinical practicum, internship, or field experience in a marriage and family counseling setting, during which the student provided 180 direct client contact hours of marriage and family therapy services under the supervision of an individual who met the requirements for supervision under paragraph (c). This requirement may be met by a supervised practice experience which took place outside the academic arena, but which is certified as equivalent to a graduate-level practicum or internship program which required a minimum of 180 direct client contact hours of marriage and family therapy services currently offered within an academic program of a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency approved by the United States Department of Education, or an institution which is publicly recognized as a member in good standing with the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada or a training institution accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education recognized by the United States Department of Education. Certification shall be required from an official of such college, university, or training institution.
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 http://www.floridasnursing.gov/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Associate's
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 http://floridasoccupationaltherapy.gov/licensing/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework All applicants for licensure shall submit to the Board proof of completion of a 2-hour course relating to the prevention of medical errors. The course must have been approved by the Board and may be one offered by a facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 395, Florida Statutes. The course shall include a study of root-cause analysis, error reduction and prevention, patient safety, and for applications filed on or after July 1, 2004, must include contraindications and indications specific to occupational therapy management, including medication and side effects.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Must successfully complete a period of supervised fieldwork experience at a recognized educational institution or a training program approved by the educational institution where she or he met the academic requirements. For an occupational therapist, a minimum of 6 months of supervised fieldwork experience is required.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT); minimum score: 450
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, 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.

Physical Therapist

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Discipline Physical Therapist
License/Certificate Licensed Physical Therapist
State Department Florida Board of Physical Therapy
State Department Hyperlink http://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 http://floridaspsychology.gov/licensing/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Doctorate
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Licensure requires two years or 4,000 hours of experience in the field of psychology in association with or under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. The applicant's internship satisfies 2000 of those hours. An acceptable internship is one that is approved by the applicant's American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited program towards completion of the doctoral psychology degree. The internship, in and of itself, is not required to be accredited by the APA or any other organization.
Licensure Dependent on an Exam? Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) or Florida Laws and Rules Examination
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, 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.

School Psychologist

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Discipline School Psychologist
License/Certificate Certified School Psychologist
State Department Florida Board of Psychology
State Department Hyperlink http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/administrative-rules/6a-4-0311.stml
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range PK- 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? School psychology internship is required.
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, 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.

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 http://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/licensing/
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 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 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 an 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 http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/administrative-rules/6a-4-035.stml
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range PK - 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
Additional requirements specific to Part C? Infant/Toddler Developmental Specialist Certificate through Early Steps (as a non-licensed professional): Certificate added onto 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 an 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 http://floridasspeechaudiology.gov/licensing/
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Birth - Death
Degree Level Requirement Master's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework 1. Applicants enrolled in an approved program after January 5, 2005, must complete a minimum of seventy-five (75) semester hours at least thirty-six (36) hours earned at the graduate level. 2. Applicants enrolled in an approved program prior to January 5, 2005, must complete a minimum of sixty (60) semester hours at least thirty-six (36) hours must be earned in graduate level courses. Must complete One (1) hour of HIV/AIDS and Two (2) hours in Prevention of Medical Errors.
Licensure Require Specific Field or Clinical Work? Must complete at least 300 hours of clinical experience under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist (SLP), 200 of the 300 must be in the area of SLP.
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 license are required to complete the Early Steps Mentorship.
Additional requirements specific for schools? Specialization Requirements for Certification in the Area of Speech-Language Impaired (Grades K-12)--Academic Class. (1) Completion of the following education courses to satisfy the courses required in paragraph (2)(a) of Rule 6A-4.006, FAC. (a) Three (3) semester hours in survey of exceptional student education, and (b) Three (3) semester hours in school organization or general curriculum which includes the elementary and secondary instructional levels. (2) Completion of specialization requirements by one of the following plans: (a) Plan One. A master's or higher degree with a graduate major in speech-language pathology, (b) Plan Two. A valid license in speech-language pathology issued pursuant to Chapter 468, Part I, Florida Statutes. Appropriate documentation to the Department shall be a letter of verification of licensure from the issuing agency. (c) Plan Three. A valid certificate of clinical competence issued by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. Appropriate documentation to the Department shall be a letter of verification from the issuing agency, or (d) Plan Four. A master's or higher degree with a minimum of sixty (60) semester hours of college credit in speech-language pathology, and 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. Appropriate documentation to the Department shall be a letter of verification from a designated official of the training institution. Thirty (30) semester hours of the minimum required college credit in speech-language pathology shall be graduate credit and shall include the following: 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.

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 Master's
Licensure Specific Curriculum/Coursework 1. Three (3) semester hours in survey of exceptional student education, and 2. Three (3) semester hours in school organization or general curriculum which includes the elementary and secondary instructional levels.
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 license 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 http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/administrative-rules/6a-4-0178.stml
Type of License/Certificate Licensure/Certificate
Age Range Kindergarten - 12th grade
Degree Level Requirement Bachelor's
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.