FloridaFlorida law sets counselor evaluation standards and certification exemptions
Starting July 1, 2026, districts must use state counseling standards to evaluate certified school counselors, while job seekers are exempt from two certification requirements.
What it does
Districts must base certified school counselors’ evaluation criteria on indicators from state school counseling standards.
People seeking school counselor jobs are exempt from two educator certification requirements. A district may still require a certified school counselor to meet them to get a job.
Argument forState counseling standards could give certified counselors clearer, job-specific expectations when districts evaluate their work.
Argument againstBecause districts may set different job requirements, counselor applicants could face different certification rules depending on where they apply.
More detail
Districts must base certified school counselors’ evaluation criteria on indicators from the Florida School Counseling Standards. This applies to evaluation criteria for certified school counselors. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
People seeking school counselor jobs are exempt from two educator certification requirements. This applies to people seeking school counselor jobs and to districts hiring certified school counselors. A school district may still require a certified school counselor to meet those requirements as a condition of employment. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Chapter No. 2026-107Latest
- May 22Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 11Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 6Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6In Messages
- Mar 6CS passed; YEAS 34 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 6Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 6Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 6Substituted for CS/CS/SB 1036
- Mar 6Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 6Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 5ReceivedMinor
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5Referred to RulesMinor
- Mar 5In Messages
- Mar 5CS passed; YEAS 103, NAYS 0Passed House
- Mar 5Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 5Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 5Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 2Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/5/2026)
- Feb 24Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (Education & Employment Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 24Bill released to House Calendar
- Feb 24Reported out of Education & Employment Committee
- Feb 24Favorable by Education & Employment CommitteeMinor
- Feb 20Added to Education & Employment Committee agenda
- Feb 2Now in Education & Employment Committee
- Feb 2Referred to Education & Employment CommitteeMinor
- Jan 301st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)Minor
- Jan 30CS FiledMinor
- Jan 30Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Jan 29Reported out of Education Administration Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Education Administration Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 29Favorable with CS by Education Administration SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 27Added to Education Administration Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 22Now in Education Administration Subcommittee
- Jan 22Referred to Education & Employment CommitteeMinor
- Jan 22Referred to Education Administration SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 211st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Jan 21CS FiledMinor
- Jan 21Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Jan 20Reported out of Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable With Amendment(s) (Careers & Workforce Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 20Favorable with CS by Careers & Workforce SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 15PCS added to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 5Now in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
- Jan 5Referred to Education & Employment CommitteeMinor
- Jan 5Referred to Education Administration SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 5Referred to Careers & Workforce SubcommitteeMinor
- 2025
- Dec 11FiledIntroduced
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