Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 6A-10.0401 - Gold Standard Career Pathways Articulation Agreements

(1) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to facilitate the statewide articulation of industry certifications, establish the Gold Standard ("Gold Standard") Career Pathways Articulation Agreements pursuant to Sections 1007.23(1) and 1008.44(4)(c), F.S., and guarantee the award of college credit toward applicable associate degrees for successful completion of industry certifications.

(2) Definitions.

(a) "CAPE Industry Certification Funding List" means the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List as described in Rule 6A-6.0576, F.A.C.

(b) "Gold Standard Articulation Agreements" means the list of industry certifications, corresponding associate degrees, and minimum number of credits to be awarded, and related requirements as set forth in this rule. The list is entitled the Gold Standard Career Pathways Articulation Agreements of Industry Certification to AS and AAS Degree Programs 2024-25 Academic Year, and is incorporated by reference (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-17514). A copy of the list may be found at http://fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-technical-edu-agreements/industry-certification.stml/ or requested from the Office of K-20 Articulation, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1232, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

(c) "Master Credentials List" means the Master Credentials List as described in Rule 6A-6.0576, F.A.C.

(3) Review and Approval.

(a) The Articulation Coordinating Committee will annually adopt and recommend to the State Board of Education a list of industry certifications, corresponding associate degrees, and minimum number of credits to be awarded for the earned industry certifications.

(b) Based on recommendations by the Articulation Coordination Committee, the State Board of Education will annually consider approval of the Gold Standard Articulation Agreements.

(4) Credit for Industry Certification.

(a) A Florida College System institution must award at a minimum the college credit specified in the Gold Standard Articulation Agreements if a student earns an industry certification during the agreement's validity period, described in subsection (5), and enrolls in the eligible associate degree program within five years of earning the certification, regardless of whether the student's certificate has expired.

(b) A Florida College System institution may, at its discretion, award credit upon expiration of the agreement's validity period on a course-by-course basis.

(5) Validity Period.

(a) Gold Standard Articulation Agreements are valid for a period of five years and will expire at that time, unless otherwise recommended by the Articulation Coordinating Committee and approved by the State Board of Education.

(b) When an industry certification included in an agreement is removed from the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List or the Master Credentials List, and the certification is still achievable, the agreement will remain active through its validity period. When the agreement reaches the end of its validity period and the industry certification included within the agreement is still achievable, the agreement will be eligible for review and renewal, pursuant to subsection (3).

(c) When an industry certification included in an agreement is removed from the CAPE Industry Certification Funding List or the Master Credentials List, and the certification is no longer achievable, the agreement will be terminated the following academic year or upon expiration of the validity period. Students who earned the certification during its validity period and enroll in the eligible associate degree program within five years of earning the certification remain eligible to receive credit, pursuant to subsection (4).

(d) When an associate degree program included in an agreement is identified for deletion, the agreement will expire beginning with the academic year in which no new students are eligible to enroll.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 6A-10.0401

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1007.23(1) FS. Law Implemented 1007.23, 1008.44(4) FS.

New 3-25-13, Amended by Florida Register Volume 40, Number 112, June 10, 2014 effective 6/25/2014, Amended by Florida Register Volume 41, Number 087, May 5, 2015 effective 5/19/2015, Amended by Florida Register Volume 42, Number 134, July 12, 2016 effective 7/26/2016, Amended by Florida Register Volume 43, Number 070, April 11, 2017 effective 4/25/2017, Amended by Florida Register Volume 44, Number 109, June 5, 2018 effective 6/19/2018, Amended by Florida Register Volume 45, Number 113, June 11, 2019 effective 6/25/2019, Amended by Florida Register Volume 46, Number 107, June 2, 2020 effective 6/16/2020, Amended by Florida Register Volume 47, Number 125, June 29, 2021 effective 7/14/2021, Amended by Florida Register Volume 48, Number 076, April 19, 2022 effective 5/3/2022, Amended by Florida Register Volume 49, Number 090, May 9, 2023 effective 5/23/2023, Amended by Florida Register Volume 50, Number 075, April 16, 2024 effective 4/30/2024, Amended by Florida Register Volume 51, Number 023, February 4, 2025 effective 2/18/2025.

New 3-25-13, Amended 6-25-14, 5-19-15, 7-26-16, 4-25-17, 6-19-18, 6-25-19, 6-16-20, 7-14-21, 5-3-22, 5-23-23.