Big changes happened to Florida’s Career and Professional Education (CAPE) program—and if your district serves elementary, middle, or high school students earning industry certifications, you’ll want to be ready.
As of July 1, 2025, the Florida Department of Education has officially adopted updates to Rule 6A-6.0576, reshaping how CAPE certifications are categorized, reported, and funded through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP).
A New Structure for CAPE Certifications
The updated rule introduces five distinct categories of CAPE certifications, each with their own requirements and grade-level eligibility. This restructuring simplifies funding claims and aligns more clearly with student pathways.
CAPE Digital Tool Certificates
Eligible Grades: Elementary only (Grades K–5)
- Foundational certificates that build essential digital skills.
- No longer reportable for middle school students.
Basic CAPE Industry Certifications
Eligible Grades: Middle & High School
- Split into Non-Articulated (no college credit) and Articulated (up to 14 credits).
- Certifications must be earned in a registered career-themed course.
CAPE Acceleration Industry Certifications
Eligible Grades: High School only
- Certifications must articulate for 15 or more college credits into an associate degree.
- Must be earned in a CTE program with statewide articulation.
CAPE CTE Pathway Completion (Pathway Completers)
Eligible Grades: High School (CTE + Cert + Diploma)
- Complete three or more CTE courses in one program.
- Earn an aligned certification from the Linkage List.
- Graduate with a standard diploma.
- Only certifications earned after July 1, 2023 qualify.
Certification Funding Eligibility Summary
| Certification Type | Eligible Grades | Funding via FEFP | Notes |
| Digital Tool Certificates | Grades K–5 only | Yes – 0.025 value | No longer eligible for Grades 6–12 |
| Basic CAPE – Non-Articulated | Middle & High School | Yes – 0.1 value | No college credit articulation |
| Basic CAPE – Articulated | High School only | Yes – 0.2 value | Up to 14 articulated college credits |
| CAPE Acceleration | High School only | Yes – 0.5 value (15-29 credits), 1.0 value ((30+ credits) | 15+ college credits, via statewide articulation |
| CTE Pathway Completers | High School (3 CTE + Cert + Diploma) | Yes – 0.3 value | Certification must be on Linkage List and post-July 2023 |
What This Means for Districts
- Career-Themed Course Registration is Mandatory: Schools must register all career-themed courses in the CAPE portal to claim any certification-based funding.
- Dual Enrollment Counts Too: Postsecondary dual enrollment courses may qualify if the course and certification align with a registered CTE program.
Isograd Tosa Certifications: Aligned and Ready
Isograd's Tosa certifications offer a wide range of credentialing options that align directly with these new CAPE rules. Whether you're supporting students in:
- Elementary school with digital literacy fundamentals
- Middle and high school with industry-ready certifications
- Postsecondary programs and articulation pathways
Tosa offers CAPE Digital Tool Certificates, CAPE Basic Industry Certifications, and CAPE Postsecondary Industry Certifications designed to support your funding goals and student outcomes.
Need help identifying which Tosa certifications qualify for your grade level and program goals? Let’s connect—we’re here to support your CAPE planning for 2025–2026 and beyond.
