PROVIDED SUMMARY
School Counselors; Requiring that evaluation criteria for certified school counselors be based on specified standards; providing that persons seeking employment as school counselors are exempt from specified educator certification requirements, etc.
Full bill text →
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATED
Exempts school counselors from specific educator certification requirements.
Certified school counselors are now exempt from two specific educator certification requirements when seeking employment. This exemption does not prevent a school district from requiring those certifications as a condition of employment.
Evaluation criteria for certified school counselors must be based on the Florida School Counseling Standards adopted by the State Board of Education. This creates a distinct evaluation framework separate from classroom teachers.
For instructional personnel who are not classroom teachers or certified school counselors, evaluation criteria must be based on the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices. These evaluations may include specific job expectations related to student support.
The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. It amends existing statutes to clarify evaluation standards and certification exemptions specifically for school counselors.
KEY PROVISIONS
AIRequires that evaluation criteria for certified school counselors be based on the Florida School Counseling Standards, rather than the general educator practices used for other staff.
“For certified school counselors, evaluation criteria must be based upon indicators of the Florida School Counseling Standards adopted by the State Board of Education.”
bill text, line 60 →
§ 2
Exempts school counselors from specific certification requirements
majors. 1012.55(6)
AIAllows school districts to hire persons as school counselors without them holding the specific educator certifications required for other instructional roles.
“A person who is seeking employment as a school counselor is exempt from the educator certification requirements in s. 1012.56(2)(g) and (i).”
bill text, line 96 →
§ 3
Preserves district authority to require certifications
moderates. 1012.55(6)
AIClarifies that the new exemption does not stop a school district from choosing to require the certifications as a condition of employment.
“Such exemption does not preclude a school district from requiring a certified school counselor to satisfy the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(g) and (i) as a condition of employment.”
bill text, line 98 →
TIMELINE
3/6/2026
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 753 (Ch....
3/6/2026
Substituted CS/CS/HB 753 -SJ 672
3/6/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 672
3/3/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/06/26
2/19/2026
CS/CS by Rules read 1st time
2/19/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/19/2026
Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
2/17/2026
CS/CS by- Rules; YEAS 24 NAYS 0
2/12/2026
On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/17/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
2/4/2026
Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education;...
1/30/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12...
1/22/2026
CS by Education Pre-K - 12 read 1st time
1/22/2026
Now in Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education
1/21/2026
Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
1/20/2026
CS by Education Pre-K - 12; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
1/15/2026
On Committee agenda-- Education Pre-K - 12, 01/20/26, 1:00 pm, 412...
1/7/2026
Referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Appropriations Committee on...
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STATUTES IT CHANGES
STAFF ANALYSES
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