Students answering the teacher’s question
- Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1125 into law Friday, allowing classroom instructors licensed in participating states to teach in Florida without recertification.
- The bill is part of the Interstate Education Compact, which lowers barriers to teacher mobility and facilitates faster transitions.
- Florida joins Colorado, Kentucky and Utah in the compact, with 13 more states pending legislation to join. The bill also extends to business educators to supplement the state’s business and technical education system.
- The bill also extends to educators who specialize in business subjects such as plumbing, electrical and auto mechanics in an effort to supplement the state’s growing business and technical education system.
governor ron desantis signed into law House Bill 1125 on Friday, authorizing teachers licensed in a state that participates in the Interstate Education Compact to teach in Florida without the need for recertification.
The bill, introduced by Rep. David Smithallows teachers with an eligible license from one compact member state to be issued an equivalent license in another member state, reducing barriers to teacher mobility and facilitating a more rapid transition for teachers to classrooms in the states.
“This is a reciprocal agreement with other states. Currently 14, but there are 11 other states that have it before their legislature, so it’s growing,” Smith said. “It will allow teachers to move to Florida and instead of being re-licensed, with a quick background check, go right into the classroom and teach.”
With the adoption of the measure, Florida enters into the compact, allowing teachers who hold eligible licenses to apply for licensure in another member state and receive the closest equivalent license without the need to submit additional materials, take state-specific exams or complete additional courses.
Colorado, Kentucky, Utah and now Florida have ratified the Compact, while 13 additional states have pending legislation to join. Once the pact reaches ten member states, it will enter into force.
The bill also extends to educators who specialize in business subjects such as plumbing, electrical and auto mechanics in an effort to supplement the state’s growing business and technical education system.
“We know math, English, language arts, those types of teachers, but also vocational instructors, that we desperately need in Florida to expand our trades program,” Smith said.
A recent audit of Florida’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program showed an increasing number of participation in schools across the state, complemented by a finding that 65 percent of high school seniors enrolled in a CTE concentration graduate with at least one industry certification.
“It is not the end everything is everything. It won’t solve every problem, but it is a step forward in making sure we have qualified and engaged teachers in the classroom to help educate our students and our future,” said bill representative Rep. christine hunschofsky.
Last month, Sen. jay collins and representative traci koster that would allow employers to recognize occupational licenses from other states, although both bills were killed in the legislative process. During a recent healthcare industry panel, Collins stated that lawmakers will continue efforts to enact similar licensing systems in the future.
We have to draw [healthcare workers] inside,” Collins said. “When you really look at what is creating the problem to attract them, it all comes down to the license. We’ve had dozens and dozens of calls from providers across the country wanting to come to Florida because of our economy and our ability to deliver fantastic health care in a way that empowers our providers. But the licensing agencies didn’t get out of the way.”
