FLORIDA CIVIC LITERACY COMPETENCY EXAM

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Florida Civic Literacy Competency Requirement

Indian River State College requires all incoming students from the 2018-2019 academic year and beyond, to meet the Civic Literacy requirement. All first-time-in-college (FTIC) students entering all Florida College System (FCS) and State University System (SUS) institutions must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by the time they graduate per Florida Rule 6A-10.02413 Civic Literacy Competency. There are three cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions subject to varying Civic Literacy requirements. As demonstrated below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution. If you are unsure which cohort you fall into, schedule an appointment with your assigned academic advisor.

Cohort 1: Prior to the award of an associate in arts or baccalaureate degree, first-time-in-college students entering a Florida College System institution between the 2018-19 to 2020-21 school year must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by successfully completing either a course or an exam.

Cohort 2: Prior to the award of an associate in arts or baccalaureate degree, students initially entering a Florida College System institution in the 2021-22 school year, and thereafter, must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by successfully completing a course and an exam.

Cohort 3: Prior to the award of a degree, students initially entering a Florida College System institution in the 2022-23 school year, and thereafter, must demonstrate competency in civic literacy by successfully completing a course and an exam.

Approved Courses for Civic Literacy (Passing Grade Required)

  • POS1041 – Passing grade required
  • AMH2020 – Passing grade required
  • AMH2010 taken during the Fall 2024 semester or after – Passing grade required (this class will not meet the requirement if taken before Fall 2024)
  • AMS2010 – Passing grade required

Approved Exams for Civic Literacy (Passing Grade Required)

Florida Civic Literacy Exam (Passing score of 60% or higher is required OR must pass one the following exams which give credit for both the course and exam:

  • AP Government and Politics: United States (Passing score is 3)
  • AP United States History (Passing score is 4)
  • CLEP: American Government (Passing score is 50%)
  • CLEP: History of the United States I (Passing score is 50%)

Note: If the exam used as the basis of awarding of credit is not in rule (e.g., AICE and IB), the student would be considered as having met only the course requirement. 

Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) Summary

The FCLE is used to assess a student’s civic literacy competency. It consists of 80 multiple choice questions which include 20 questions in each of the following four areas:

  • American Democracy: An understanding of the basic principles of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government.
  • United States Constitution: An 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-government.
  • Landmark Supreme Court Cases, Legislation, and Executive Actions: An understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases, landmark legislation and landmark executive actions and their impact on law and society.

*A passing score of 60% is required.

Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) Frequently Asked Questions

How can students make an appointment to take the FCLE in person at an IRSC Assessment Center?

FCLE testing is done by appointment. Click on the appropriate link below to schedule your in-person testing appointment. New appointment times and days are added regularly and vary. Be sure to make your testing appointment for the campus where you plan to test. Unfortunately, at this time there are no remote testing options for the FCLE. We are expecting that to change in the future.

Massey Campus—Fort Pierce
3209 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce FL 34981
https://calendly.com/masseyassessment/florida-civic-literacy-exam-appointment

Chastain Campus—Stuart
2400 S.E. Salerno Road
Stuart, FL 34997
https://calendly.com/chastainassessment/flce

Dixon Hendry Campus—Okeechobee
2229 N.W. 9th Avenue
Okeechobee, FL 34972

Students can take the FCLE at the Dixon Hendry Campus on a walk-in basis without an appointment. Students can start the FCLE Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The FCLE takes can take two hours to complete, so plan accordingly.

Mueller Campus—Vero Beach
6155 College Lane
Vero Beach, FL 32966
https://calendly.com/muellerassessment/fcle?month=2023-10

Pruitt Campus—Port St. Lucie
500 N.W. California Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
https://calendly.com/pruittassessment/fcle

Is the FCLE a timed test?

Yes. The time limit is two hours to complete the exam.

What is the passing score requirement to satisfy FCLE competency?

A passing score of 60% is required to fulfill the competency. However, this passing score may be changed by the Florida Department of Education in the future.

How much does the FCLE cost?

There is no fee charged for IRSC students to take this exam.

How often can a student take the FCLE?

While there is no limit on the number if retest attempts, students must wait 2 business days to retest. For example, if a student takes the exam on Monday, the soonest they would be allowed to retest is Wednesday of the same week. Students are strongly encouraged to study before retesting.

How long are assessment scores valid? Is there an expiration date?

There is no expiration date for the test scores.

What competencies does the FCLE cover?

FCLE competencies cover the knowledge necessary to demonstrate the postsecondary requirement for civic literacy, as outlined in statute:

  • Understanding of the basic principles and practices of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government.
  • An understanding of the United States Constitution and its application.
  • Knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-government.
  • An understanding of landmark Supreme Court cases, landmark legislation and landmark executive actions and their impact on law and society.
Is there a study guide and sample test for the FCLE?

Yes, civic literacy resources can be found here: https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5663/urlt/Sup
pGuideFCLE.pdf, https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/5663/urlt/FCLESampleItem.pdf, and https://irsc.libguides.com/FCLE

How does credit-by-exam apply toward the civic literacy requirement?
  • Credit received for courses in Rule 6A-10.02413, F.A.C., (AMH2020 and POS1041) via credit by exam will count toward the course requirement. If the exam used as the basis of awarding of credit is in Rule 6A-10.02413, F.A.C., (e.g., AP Government and Politics: United States, AP United States History and CLEP: American Government), the student would be considered as having met both the course and the assessment civic literacy competency.
  • If the exam used as the basis of awarding of credit is not in rule (e.g., AICE and IB), the student would be considered as having met only the course requirement. These students would need to be assessed using an approved assessment in rule.