CS/HB 561: Educator Preparation and Certification
GENERAL BILL by Education & Employment Committee ; Gerwig ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Daniels ; López, J. ; Salzman
Educator Preparation and Certification; Revises provisions relating to educator preparation institutes, award of temporary educator certifications, & reinstatement & renewal of professional educator certificates; & revises requirements for Florida Center for Teaching Excellence.
Effective Date: 7/1/2026
Last Action: 2/11/2026 House - Added to Second Reading Calendar
Bill Text: PDF
Last Action: 2/11/2026 House - Added to Second Reading Calendar
Bill Text: PDF
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Bill History
Date Chamber Action 12/1/2025 House • Filed
12/12/2025 House • Referred to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
• Referred to PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee
• Referred to Education & Employment Committee
• Now in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
1/12/2026 House • Added to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026 House • 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/14/2026 House • Favorable by Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
• Reported out of Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
• Now in PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee
2/2/2026 House • Added to PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee agenda
2/4/2026 House • Favorable by PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee
• Reported out of PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee
• Now in Education & Employment Committee
2/6/2026 House • PCS added to Education & Employment Committee agenda
2/10/2026 House • Favorable with CS by Education & Employment Committee
• Reported out of Education & Employment Committee
• Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
• CS Filed
• 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2/11/2026 House • Bill referred to House Calendar
• Added to Second Reading Calendar
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CS/HB 561, Committee Substitute 1 (Current Bill Version) Posted 2/10/2026 at 5:39 PM
Bill Text: PDF Analyses: Education & Employment Committee (Post-Meeting) 2/10/2026 (pdf)
Related Bills (2)
Bill Number Subject Filed By Relationship Last Action and Location Track Bills S 1718 Educator Preparation and Certification Calatayud Identical Last Action: 2/13/2026 S On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education, 02/18/26, 8:30 am, 37 Senate Building 
S 7036 Education Education Pre-K - 12 Compare Last Action: 2/12/2026 S CS by Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education; YEAS 10 NAYS 0
Citations - Statutes (4)
Citation Catchline Location in Bill Location In Bill Help 1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes. Page 2 (pdf) 1012.56 Educator certification requirements. Page 4 (pdf) 1012.585 Process for renewal of professional certificates. Page 5 (pdf) 1012.981 The Florida Center for Teaching Excellence. Page 7 (pdf) -
HB 561, Original Filed Version Posted 12/1/2025 at 10:57 AM
Bill Text: PDF Analyses: Careers & Workforce Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) 1/14/2026 (pdf)
PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) 2/4/2026 (pdf)
Related Bills (1)
Bill Number Subject Filed By Relationship Last Action and Location Track Bills S 1718 Educator Preparation and Certification Calatayud Similar Last Action: 2/13/2026 S On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education, 02/18/26, 8:30 am, 37 Senate Building
Citations - Statutes (3)
Citation Catchline Location in Bill Location In Bill Help 1012.56 Educator certification requirements. Page 2 (pdf) 1012.585 Process for renewal of professional certificates. Page 4 (pdf) 1012.981 The Florida Center for Teaching Excellence. Page 5 (pdf)