In addition to the terms defined in Florida Statutes § 633.102(1), the following terms will have the following meanings for purposes of Rules 69A-37.082 through 69A-37.090, F.A.C.:
    (1) “”Degree applicable to fire department duties”” means an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Public Safety, Business Administration, Public Administration or other field of study that relates in a meaningful way to fire department duties included in the firefighter’s job description or another fire department position description that a firefighter is attempting to obtain. The determination of whether the degree relates in a meaningful way to fire department duties shall depend on the content of the individual courses and not solely on the title of the degree conferred. For degrees not included in the fields of study listed herein, the Fire Chief who approves an application for supplemental compensation must provide specific justification for concluding that the degree has specific value to their organization.
    (2) “”Eligible Associate Degree”” means an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree applicable to fire department duties conferred by a university or college.
    (3) “”Eligible Bachelor’s Degree”” means a bachelor’s degree applicable to fire department duties that was conferred by a:
    (a) Regionally accredited university or college;
    (b) Nationally accredited college or university that is in compliance with the following:
    1. The school provides disclosures to prospective students on the school’s website and on student application or enrollment forms that are substantially similar to the following: Accreditation does not provide automatic acceptance by an institution of credit earned at another institution. Acceptance of students or graduates is always the prerogative of the receiving institution. For these reasons, besides ascertaining the accredited status of a school or program, students should take additional measures to determine, prior to enrollment, whether or not their educational goals will be met through attendance at a particular institution. These measures should include inquiries to institutions to which transfer might be desired;
    2. The school verifies the identity of all students who participate in class or coursework, including all examinations, by using, at the option of the institution, methods such as:
    a. A secure login and pass code;
    b. Proctored examinations; or
    c. New or other technologies and practices that are effective in verifying student identification; and,
    3. The school has an articulation agreement with at least one regionally accredited college or university that outlines transferable coursework into degree programs that are applicable to fire department duties to the regionally accredited college or university.
    (4) “”Proctored examination”” means an examination in which a credentialed organization, center or individual who is chosen by the student and approved by the university or college or an on-demand, third-party virtual proctor verifies student identity and supervises examination integrity.
    (5) “”Nationally accredited”” means a college or university currently accredited by one of the following national accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education:
    (a) Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges;
    (b) Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools;
    (c) Distance Education and Training Council.
    (6) “”Regionally accredited”” means accredited by one of the following regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education:
    (a) The Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, Commission on Higher Education;
    (b) The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education;
    (c) The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;
    (d) The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities;
    (e) The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, or
    (f) Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities or Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
    (7) “”Supplemental Compensation”” means funds that may be paid to eligible firefighters by employing agencies pursuant to Florida Statutes § 633.422, and this rule chapter, in addition to any regular compensation paid by the employing agencies.
Rulemaking Authority 633.128(2)(a), 633.422(1) FS. Law Implemented 633.422(2) FS. History-New 1-3-90, Amended 3-20-95, 7-17-00, Formerly 4A-37.084, Amended 3-14-11, 3-19-13.