Transcript for: “Instructor Qualification” video. 

Slide 2 

Instructors at private schools participating in state scholarship programs are not required to be state 
certified, but there are minimum standards set out in statute. 

Slide 3 

Instructors at participating private school must meet at least one of three requirements. 

The instructor could hold a bachelor’s degree; no particular field of study is specified. 

Slide 4 

Another method to meet the requirement is to have at least 3 years teaching experience at public or 
private schools. The statutory definition of private school begins with Kindergarten, so early childhood 
or daycare employment does not count toward the teaching experience requirement. 

Slide 5 

Finally, an instructor with special skills, knowledge, or expertise that qualifies them to provide 
instruction in specific subjects may meet the requirement. For example, a native French speaker may 
have knowledge and expertise that would qualify him or her to instruct French courses. However, unless 
that native French speaker runs a garden center or nursery, he or she probably would not be qualified to 
instruct Botany class. 

Slide 6 

Remember, in addition to the required qualifications, if a potential hire is not a Florida certified 
educator, you must conduct a criminal background screening, checking the results against 435.04 and 
1012.315. You must also review information provided through BEC PASS and the database of 
disciplinary action, and conduct employment history checks of each previous employer, documenting 
the findings. All of these checks should be completed before the individual is employed. 

Slide 7 

For more information on this topic, contact our office at (800) 447-1636 or email us at 
schoolchoice@fldoe.org.