The Florida Certification Board (FCB) is pleased to offer the Child Welfare Certification Program, which meets the requirements outlined in Section 402.40, Florida Statutes. This two-stage credentialing program supports child welfare professionals in building the skills, competence, and confidence needed for success in the field.
Certification Stages
Stage 1: Provisional Certification
Applicants begin with Provisional Certification, issued after completing the required training and testing requirements. We issue discipline-specific provisional credentials:
- CWPI-P: Child Welfare Protective Investigator – Provisional
- CWCM-P: Child Welfare Case Manager – Provisional
- CWLC-P: Child Welfare Licensing Counselor – Provisional
Provisional Certification is valid for 12 months and requires intensive supervision while candidates complete field-based competency requirements.
Stage 2: Full Certification
Full Certification (CWPI, CWCM, CWLC) is issued upon successful completion of all on-the-job work experience, supervision, and field observation requirements. Candidates must also submit an application to upgrade their credential to full certification.
Certification Models
The Florida Certification Board (FCB) is working in partnership with the Department of Children and Families as it transitions to the new Florida Academy model for pre-service training.
All Protective Investigator trainees will follow the Florida Academy model.
All Case Manager trainees will take EITHER the Florida Academy or the traditional training curricula. Regardless of training curricula, provisional certification requires trainees to complete the approprate curriculum, pass the Child Welfare Foundations (CWF) exam, and successfully complete the Case Manager Provisional Assessment.
All Licensing Counselor trainees will take Foundations training, Case Manager Training, pass the Child Welfare Foundations exam, and successfully complete the Licensing Counselor Provisional Assessment.
While training pathways may vary, all applicants begin with Provisional Certification and follow the same requirements for upgrade to full certification.
During this transition, the FCB will work with training entities to manage timeline and documentation requirements.
Point of Contact Information
Each FCB-recognized child welfare employer designates one or more Certification Points of Contact to serve as liaisons between the FCB and certification applicants. These contacts ensure the timely and accurate submission of applications, supporting documents, and fees.
To report changes to your designated contact(s), complete and submit the CWAC Contact Update Form to: LaShanda Jones at ljones@flcertificationboard.org
Resources
Select the appropriate application route below.