Florida Teacher Salary Schedule: How to Move Up with Credits

Florida teachers don’t technically have a “PD hours” requirement in the traditional sense — but they do have a professional development renewal requirement that works out to the equivalent of 120 hours of approved training every 5 years. Understanding how many florida teacher pd hours are required, what counts, and how to use your required PD to also advance your salary is what separates teachers who feel overwhelmed by renewal from those who treat it as a career tool.

The Florida Department of Education measures professional development in two ways: in-service points and college credit hours. These are interchangeable for renewal purposes, with 20 in-service points equaling 1 semester hour of college credit. To renew your Florida Professional Certificate, you need the equivalent of 6 semester hours — which is 120 in-service points if you go the in-service route, or 6 college credits if you take graduate-level courses.

This guide explains the full Florida PD requirement, what activities count toward in-service points, the special reading requirement that affects certain teachers, and why graduate credits are often the smarter choice for working teachers who want to advance their careers at the same time.

Florida Teacher PD Hours: The Professional Development Renewal Requirement

Every Florida teacher holding a Professional Certificate must complete the equivalent of 6 semester hours of college credit during each 5-year validity period. The FLDOE allows you to meet this requirement through three pathways: college credit courses, in-service points, or a combination of both.

What Are Florida In-Service Points? (How Florida Teacher PD Hours Are Counted)

In-service points are Florida’s unit of measurement for district-approved professional development. Your district’s master in-service plan defines which activities qualify for points and how many points each activity is worth. Common activities that earn in-service points include:

• District-sponsored professional development workshops and training sessions
• School-based PD activities approved by your principal or PD coordinator
• Online courses approved through your district’s master in-service plan
• Curriculum development and instructional planning activities (in some districts)
• Mentoring or coaching activities (varies by district)
• Approved conferences and professional learning communities

Your district tracks your in-service points in its professional development management system. You can typically view your accumulated points through your district’s HR portal or by contacting your school’s professional development coordinator. Points must be earned during the validity period of your current certificate — points from a previous renewal cycle do not carry over.

One important limitation: in-service points cannot be used to satisfy the reading requirement or the educational leadership requirement. Those specific requirements must be met through college credit or approved in-service training specifically designed for those purposes.

The Reading Requirement: 40 Florida Teacher PD Hours for Certain Certifications

Florida added a specific reading professional development requirement for teachers in certain certification areas. If you hold any of the following certifications, you must complete the equivalent of 2 semester hours (40 in-service points) in evidence-based reading instruction as part of your renewal:

• Elementary Education (K–6 or grades 1–6)
• Prekindergarten/Primary Education (age 3 through grade 3 or grades K–3)
• Middle Grades English (grades 5–9) or Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum (grades 5–9)
• English (grades 1–6 or 6–12)
• Exceptional Student Education (grades K–12) — for renewals with a validity date of July 1, 2025 or later
• Reading (K–12) or Reading Endorsement
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (grades K–12)

This reading PD must be grounded in the science of reading — specifically addressing phonological and phonemic awareness, decoding, and multisensory intervention strategies for students with characteristics of dyslexia. It must meet the criteria in Florida Rule 6A-6.053. General literacy courses or reading comprehension workshops do not satisfy this requirement unless they specifically address these science of reading components.

These 2 credits (or 40 points) are included in your total 6-credit (or 120-point) requirement — they are not in addition to it. So if you’re an Elementary Education teacher, your renewal breakdown looks like this: 1 credit in SWD + 2 credits in reading + 3 additional credits in any approved area = 6 total credits.

College Credits vs. In-Service Points: Which Should You Choose?

Both pathways satisfy the FLDOE renewal requirement, but they are not equal in terms of career impact. Here’s how they compare:

The financial case for graduate credits is compelling. In-service points are free but offer no salary benefit. Graduate credits cost money but generate a return — a lane change worth $3,650–$5,800 per year in many Florida districts. Over a 20-year career, that annual increase compounds into $73,000–$116,000 in additional earnings. The cost of 6 graduate credits through an affordable provider like Credits for Teachers is typically $2,000–$4,000 — a fraction of the lifetime return.

How to Track Your Florida PD Hours and In-Service Points

Florida teachers are responsible for tracking their own renewal credits. Here’s how to stay organized:

• In-service points: Your district records these in its professional development management system. Log into your district’s HR or PD portal to view your current point total. If you’re unsure how to access this, contact your school’s professional development coordinator.
• College credits: Request official transcripts from each institution where you’ve earned credits. Keep copies in a dedicated folder — you’ll need them when you submit your renewal application and when you request a lane change.
• Certificate expiration date: Log into your FLDOE Certification Online account to see your certificate’s expiration date and track your renewal status. The renewal application becomes available in the final year of your certificate’s validity.
• Reading requirement tracking: If you’re in a certification area that requires the reading PD, document which specific courses or training you’ve completed and confirm they meet the science of reading criteria with your district.

Don’t wait until the final year of your certificate to start tracking. Teachers who lose track of their in-service points or misplace transcripts often find themselves scrambling in the last few months before expiration. Build a simple spreadsheet or folder system at the start of each renewal cycle and update it as you complete activities.

The Bottom Line: Florida Teacher PD Hours

Florida teachers need the equivalent of 120 florida teacher pd hours (or 6 semester credits) every 5 years to renew their Professional Certificate, including a required component in teaching students with disabilities. Teachers in Elementary, ESE, Reading, and ESOL certifications have an additional reading requirement. The in-service point pathway is free but offers no salary benefit. The graduate credit pathway costs money but advances your salary lane — and the return on that investment is substantial over a teaching career.

The most strategic approach: use graduate-level courses to satisfy your renewal requirement and move up the salary schedule simultaneously. You’re already required to earn those 6 credits — the only question is whether they work for your career or just check a compliance box.