- Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1310 into law in Florida, allowing work experience to be considered as an alternative qualification instead of postsecondary education requirements.
- The law prohibits public employers in the state from mandating postsecondary education for certain positions, and individuals can qualify based on a specified number of years of related work experience.
- The law requires employment agencies to maintain documentation to ensure compliance with the minimum requirements, including necessary licensure or certification.
- Friday’s signing expands upon previous legislation aimed at benefiting veterans by recognizing military service as valid work experience.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1310 into law on Friday afternoon, bringing changes to state employment requirements, allowing work experience to serve as an alternative qualification in lieu of postsecondary education requirements.
Under the law, public employers in Florida, including state agencies, universities, and other governmental entities, will be restricted from mandating postsecondary education as a baseline requirement for certain positions. Instead, the law allows individuals to qualify for a position through a specified number of years of related work experience.
To ensure compliance, employing agencies are now obligated to maintain documentation verifying that the selected candidates meet the minimum requirements set by the agency, including any necessary licensure or certification.
Friday’s bill signing expands upon previous legislation the governor authorized last year, which permitted only state and local government agencies to substitute related work experience in place of educational requirements when hiring job candidates. Last year’s measure was intended to benefit veterans of the armed forces, as military service was deemed to be valid work experience.
“Working together to offer enhanced workforce opportunities for our nation’s heroes, we’ll ensure Florida continues to be the most sought-after state by veterans in the nation,” said retired Marine Corps Major General James S. Hartsell, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.