Child Welfare

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Welcome to the FCB's Child Welfare Certification webpage.  On this page you will find information on earning certification, continuing education, renewal and reciprocity.  Please be sure to scroll all the way down if you don't immediately see the topic you are interested in. 

Applying for Child Welfare Certification:

The FCB offers two routes to Child Welfare certification:  Employer Sponsored Application or Independent Application.

The Child Welfare Employer Sponsored Application is only for individuals who are currently employed in a position requiring certification by any of the following employer groups:

1.       Florida Department of Children and Families

2.       A Sheriff Office conducting Protective Investigations

3.       A Community Based Care Lead Agency

4.       An agency contracted by a Community Based Care Lead Agency to provide child welfare-related services

Download the Child Welfare Employer Sponsored Application for certification application policy, procedure and required forms.

Important Information for Employer-Sponsored Applicants:

1.     Provisional certification is valid for a maximum of 12-months; from the date a passing score was earned on the written exam.  Provisional certification will not be extended to reflect the Provisional Certification application submission date. 

2.     Provisional certification will not be awarded until the following have been received and verified by the FCB:

a.       Certification Registration

b.      Provisional Certification Application

c.       Verification of Education, Training, Testing and Criminal Background Attestation Form

d.      Certification fee ($100)

3.     On-the-job experience and direct supervision requirements must be completed and an application for Full Certification must be submitted to the FCB within 12-months from the date a passing score was earned on the written exam.

Educational Waiver:  Employer-sponsored applicants may be eligible for an educational waiver.  Educational waivers are requested by the employing agency and approved by DCF.  DO NOT SEND educational waiver requests to the FCB.  Please carefully read the Educational Waiver Policy.  Click here to download the Educational Waiver Application only. 

The Child Welfare Independent Application is for individuals who are not currently employed in a position requiring certification.  Download the Child Welfare Independent Application for certification application policy, procedure and required forms.

Child Welfare Reciprocity Program

The FCB’s free Child Welfare Certification by Reciprocity program closed on November 1, 2012.  Individuals still eligible for Child Welfare Certification by Reciprocity are required to complete the Child Welfare Reciprocity Application and submit a one-time certification fee of $150.  Note:  the FCB will not bill the Florida Department of Children and Families for reciprocity credentials issued to protective investigators.  Certification fee payment is the responsibility of the applicant.

As of November 1, 2012, the only individuals eligible for Child Welfare Certification by Reciprocity are persons who hold a DCF issued child welfare credential that has not expired by the time reciprocity is requested.  Eligible individuals must complete the following within 30-days prior to the DCF-issued certification expiration date:

1.       Submit the Child Welfare Certification by Reciprocity application.

2.       Submit a $150 certification fee.

3.       Submit a copy of the current DCF-issued credential.

Individuals who seek certification by reciprocity after their DCF-issued credential has expired are not eligible to reinstate their credential nor may they earn an FCB-issued credential through reciprocity.  These persons may apply for certification as an Independent Applicant or an Employer Sponsored Applicant (if eligible). 

For more information, please review What do I do now that Reciprocity is closed?  

Continuing Education

Child Welfare Renewal

Child Welfare credentials are valid for a maximum of 2 years and expire on October 31 of the calendar year renewal is due.  The certification cycle for child welfare may be slightly less than two-years when an initial certification is renewed.  Credentials awarded in the first three quarters of a renewal year are set to renew at the next two-year cycle.  Credentials awarded in the last quarter of a renewal year are set to renew at the following two-year cycle. 

Please note:  All child welfare credentials issued thru reciprocity will renew on October 31, 2013 REGARDLESS of the date the credential was processed.