Florida Civic Literacy Exam

The State of Florida requires that all students graduating from St. Petersburg College and other institutions in the Florida College System (FCS), as well as from any State University System (SUS) institution, fulfill a Civic Literacy Competency requirement prior to graduating.  Beginning in Fall 2018, students entering a Florida public institution as an Associate in Arts and bachelor’s degree- student needed to demonstrate civic literacy through either taking a certain course or passing an exam.  The 2021 Florida Legislature amended Florida Rule 6A-10.02413, Civic Literacy Competency, and now requires students entering a Florida public institution in Fall 2021 to complete both a civic literacy course and exam.

Alternatives to FCLE testing.

If you have the following test scores you can use those to meet the assessment requirement:

    • CLEP American Government Minimum score: 50
    • AP Government & Politics: United States Minimum score: 3
    • AP United States History Minimum score: 4
  • You were previously enrolled at another Florida public university or college and completed the FCLE while enrolled
  • You completed the FCLE before graduating from a Florida public high school. This will apply to students graduating in 2022 and beyond

Modern States: https://modernstates.org/course/american-government/

“The “American Government” course is a completely self-paced course. It has no prerequisites, and it is offered entirely for free.”

Upon completion you will receive a voucher to sit for the CLEP

For more about Modern States please visit their website: https://modernstates.org/

Request to take the FCLE.

Taking the test:

  • There is no fee to take the exam
  • The test is untimed with most students completing it within 1 hours. We recommend you plan for a minimum of 1/2 hours when making your appointment
  • The exam is only offered by appointment at our on-campus testing centers on scheduled days and times. You may take it at any campus. Remote testing is currently not available.

If you live outside Pinellas, Hillsborough, or Pasco counties OR you live out-of-state, alternate testing options are available.

St. Petersburg/Gibbs - Monday - 10 a.m. / 1 p.m. / 3 p.m.

Clearwater - Tuesday - 10 a.m. / 1 p.m. / 3 p.m.

Downtown - Wednesday - 9 a.m. / Noon

Seminole - Thursday - 10 a.m. / 1 p.m. / 3 p.m.

Tarpon Springs - Friday - 9 a.m. / 11 a.m.

Please be on the look out for After Hours testing events for additional testing times.

After Hours testing is held during peaks to give students greater options in testing.

After Hours testing starts at 7 p.m. on select weeks at EPI Tech Monday thru Thursday and select Fridays starting at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Fall 2024 schedule:

September: 24 – 27

October: 22 – 25

November:

  • 4, 6 – 8
  • 12 – 15
  • 19 – 22

December: 2 – 5

  • You must score 60% or correctly answer 48 of the 80 multiple choice questions on the exam.
  • If you need to retake the exam, you will need to submit a new request to reserve your seat. You may not take the exam more than once per day and we recommend waiting seven days and utilizing our study guides to prepare.
  • Priority is given to students graduating at the end of the term. If you are a candidate for the current semester, you will be notified by email and provided the registration link.
  • Scores will be available in MySPC 1-2 business days after completing the exam.

Effective Fall 2021, Associate in Arts and baccalaureate degree students under the 2021-22 catalog year (595) or later, must demonstrate their civic literacy competency through successful completion of a course (POS 2041 or AMH 2020) AND by achieving a passing score on the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE).

This requirement will also apply to Associate in Science students under the 2022-23 catalog year (600) or later.

If you need the FCLE assessment (test) to graduate, please review the deadlines below.

Graduating semester, deadline for you to pass the test:

  • Summer 2024 July 26, 2024
  • Fall 2024, December 6, 2024
  • Spring 2025, May 8, 2025

Dates subject to change based on FCLE availability.

If you do not pass the test before these dates, you will not graduate on time.

The State does not allow any waivers for this test.

Please be sure to budget time in case you need to retest.

Seats are limited. Register Now!

Passing the FCLE is a graduation requirement based on your catalog year or requirement term, regardless of when you started college.

If you are in an A.A.  or baccalaureate programs beginning with the 2021-22 catalog year or you are in an A.S. program beginning with the 2022-23 catalog year, you will need to pass the exam. This includes transfer students, out-of-state students and students entering with prior postsecondary coursework.

Not sure of you catalog year? Log into MySPC and run an Advising Report. If you need to take the exam, it will be listed under your Graduation Requirements. You may also check with your academic advisor.

Students who have previously achieved a passing score on an approved assessment or previously passed the Florida Civic Literacy Exam will not need to retake it.

You do NOT need to take the FCLE if you meet any of the following criteria:

  • You have passed one of the following exams:
    • CLEP American Government Minimum score: 50
    • AP Government & Politics: United States Minimum score: 3
    • AP United States History Minimum score: 4

It is your responsibility to have your official scores sent to the college. Official CLEP and AP score reports can be ordered from the College Board website.

  • You PASSED the FCLE before graduating from a Florida public high school. This will apply to students graduating in 2022 and beyond.

The Florida Civic Literacy Exam is comprised of 80 multiple choice questions covering four core Civic Literacy competencies:

  • U.S. Government & Politics
    Understanding of the basic principles and practices of American democracy and how they
    are applied in our form of government
  • U.S. Constitution
    Understanding of the United States Constitution and its application
  • Founding Documents
    Knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-governance
  • Supreme Court Landmark Legislation and Executive Actions
    Understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases, landmark legislation, and landmark executive actions and their impact on law and society

To prepare for the FCLE, the following study materials are recommended for review:

Additional civic literacy resources can be found here: www.fldoe.org/civicliteracy.

When should I take the FCLE?
Passing the FCLE is a graduation requirement. We recommend you complete it in your first year. If you are registered in either POS 2041 or AMH 2020, we recommend taking the exam directly after completing the course.

What is a passing score on the FCLE?
You must correctly answer 48 out of the 80 questions (60%) to satisfy this graduation requirement.

How do I take the FCLE?
The FCLE is only offered on-campus by appointment only. Go to our Testing website for information on when and where the exam is offered and submit your appointment request.

Under what circumstance would I NOT need to take the FCLE?
If you meeting one of the following criteria, you will not need to take the FCLE:

  • You have taken one of the following exams:
    • CLEP American Government Minimum score: 50
    • AP Government & Politics: United States Minimum score: 3
    • AP United States History Minimum score: 4
  • You were previously enrolled at another Florida public university or college and completed the FCLE while enrolled
  • You completed the FCLE before graduating from a Florida public high school. This will apply to students graduating in 2022 and beyond

I was previously enrolled as a dual enrollment student. Do I need to take the FCLE?
The new civic literacy requirement applies to students who are entering into A.A. and baccalaureate programs during the 2021-22 catalog year and students entering in A.S. programs during the 2022-23 catalog year. This includes dual enrolled students.

I am a transfer student, do I need to take the FCLE?
The new civic literacy requirement applies to students who are entering into A.A. and baccalaureate programs under the 2021-22 catalog year and students entering into A.S. programs during the 2022-23 catalog year, regardless of prior postsecondary coursework. This includes transfer students.

I am an out-of-state or international student, do I need to take the FCLE?
The new civic literacy requirement applies to students who are entering into A.A. and baccalaureate programs under the 2021-22 catalog year and students entering into A.S. programs during the 2022-23 catalog year, regardless of prior postsecondary coursework. This includes students from out-of-state and international students.

I live outside of Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties. Do I have to come to campus to take the exam?
No. To serve our non-local students, please make sure that you indicate that you live outside of those counties when you complete the testing survey, and we will reach out with alternative testing methods.

I am entering a baccalaureate program and have already earned my A.A. or A.S. degree, do I need to take the FCLE?
The new civic literacy requirement is based on your catalog year. If you are pursuing your bachelor’s degree under the 2021-22 catalog year or later, you will need to take the FCLE. Having a prior A.A. or A.S. degree does not waive the requirement.

If I change my major or catalog year, do I need to take the FCLE?
Any student in an A.A. or baccalaureate program who is under the 2021-22 catalog year will need to pass the FCLE. Therefore, if you are a continuing student and you change your catalog year to Fall 2021 or later, you will need to take the exam regardless of when you started at St. Petersburg College.

I passed the FCLE prior to graduating from a Florida public high school or while enrolled at another Florida public university or college. How do I notify SPC of my scores?
If you have completed the FCLE at a Florida public high school, college or university, it will be reflected on your official transcript. Make sure to have your transcript sent to SPC electronically via FASTER to update your records with us.

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