Florida Civic Literacy Exam

You must take the FCLE if:

• Your Associate in Arts or bachelor’s degree catalog year is 2021–22 or later.
  or
• Your Associate in Science degree catalog year is 2022–23 or later.

How to Check Your Catalog Year

• Log into MySPC then go to Advising Report.
  or
• Ask your academic advisor.

If you passed the FCLE at a Florida high school (2022 graduates or later), your results may satisfy the requirement once added to your SPC record. Be sure to submit your official high school transcript if you have not done so already.

You do not need to take the FCLE if you have:

• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) American Government score of 50 or higher
• AP U.S. Government and Politics score of 3 or higher
• AP U.S. History score of 4 or higher
• Passed the FCLE in Florida high school
• Passed the FCLE at another Florida public college or university

Send official transcripts or score reports through College Board or Florida Automated System for Transferring Educational Records (FASTER) so they can be added to your SPC record.

To meet the Civic Literacy requirement for graduation, students must complete:

1. An approved Civic Literacy course

• POS 2041
• AMH 2020
• AMH 2010 (Fall 2024 and later)

2. The Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE)

Or

A qualifying score on CLEP American Government, which satisfies both the course and exam requirements. See Modern States if interested in a fee waiver.

Even if you completed the course at another institution, the FCLE is still required unless you qualify for an exemption.

Choose the testing method that best fits your needs.

Testing Policies (All Methods)

• Valid physical photo ID required.
• Only the test-taker is permitted in the testing area.
• You cannot take the FCLE more than once per day.
• Scores appear in MySPC in approximately 2 business days.
• If you have approved accommodations through Accessibility Services, please inform your Testing Coordinator before your scheduled exam.

On-Campus Testing (By Appointment Only)

• Available at all SPC Testing Centers.
• All locations require an appointment.
• Personal belongings must be stored before testing.

Make an Appointment

• Clearwater Campus
• Downtown Center
• Midtown Center
• Seminole Campus
• St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus
• Tarpon Springs Campus
• After Hours (EpiCenter)
• Online Testing Request (See Online / Remote FCLE Testing below)

After-Hours FCLE Testing

After-hours FCLE sessions are offered only during specific high-demand periods each year:

• Spring Term: April and May
• Fall Term: November and December

Sessions begin at 7 p.m. and are ideal for students who cannot test during daytime hours.

Note: After-hours appointments are released gradually throughout the term. If no sessions appear, it means all current seats are filled. Additional appointments may be added later, so please check back regularly.

Online / Remote FCLE Testing

Students whose official address on file is outside Pinellas, Pasco, or Hillsborough counties may request to take the FCLE online.

• Proctored live online by SPC testing staff.
• Sessions offered only during SPC business hours.
• Requires stable internet and a private, secure testing environment.
• Students must present valid photo ID.
• Eligibility is based primarily on the official address on file. Some requests for online testing may be considered on a limited basis and require formal review through the Online FCLE Request Form. Approval is not guaranteed.
• Please note that reasons based on personal preference, convenience, work schedules, or transportation limitations do not qualify for remote FCLE testing.

Request Online FCLE

Note: Online FCLE appointments are released in limited batches. If no sessions appear, it means all current seats are filled. Additional appointments may be added based on staffing and demand, so please check back regularly.

Temporary Online Option for Local Students (When Available)

SPC may offer a limited remote FCLE testing option for students living in Pinellas, Pasco, or Hillsborough counties during select semesters.

If a local remote testing window becomes available, details and registration instructions will appear here.

Exam Structure

The FCLE includes 80 multiple-choice questions covering four major content areas.
All four areas appear on every exam; however, the number of questions from each area varies, as items are randomly allocated:

1. American Democracy — principles and practices of U.S. government
2. U.S. Constitution — structure, powers, interpretation
3. Founding Documents — Declaration of Independence, Federalist Papers, foundational texts
4. Landmark Impact on Law and Society — Supreme Court cases, legislation, executive actions

Note: Each FCLE exam includes questions from all four domains, but no fixed number of questions per domain is guaranteed.

Practice Test — Get Familiar With the Platform

1. Visit the FCLE Testing website.
2. Download the secure browser that matches your specific computer.
3. Sign in as Guest User with Guest Session enabled.
4. Ensure all apps and programs on your computer are turned off.
5. Select Grade Level 30.
6. Choose Sample Items.
7. Click Start FCLE Sample Items.
8. Begin the practice test.

Recommended Study Resources

• FCLE Sample Items (PDF)
• Supplemental Guide for the FCLE (PDF)
• USCIS Civics Exam — 100 Questions (PDF)
• America’s Founding Documents — National Archives
• Landmark Supreme Court Cases
• U.S. Constitution and Amendments
• SPC Civic Literacy Flashcards (Quizlet)

Deadlines are based on the day before the last day of finals for each term:

• Spring 2026: May 15, 2026
• Summer 2026: July 28, 2026

Schedule early to avoid delays in graduation processing.

Passing CLEP American Government satisfies both the Civic Literacy course requirement and the FCLE exam requirement.

Benefits of Modern States

• Free, self-paced online course
• Earn a CLEP voucher upon completion.

Recommended Course

• Modern States: American Government

When should I take the FCLE?
Most students test during their first year or immediately after completing POS 2041 or AMH 2020.

Can I take the FCLE remotely?
Yes, if you live outside Pinellas, Pasco, or Hillsborough counties.
Local remote testing is available only during select semesters when announced.

Is there a fee for the FCLE or retakes?
No — there is currently no charge for the FCLE or FCLE retakes.

How long does the exam take?
Students are allotted 90 minutes, but most finish in about 40 minutes.

How long before I can retest?
You cannot take the FCLE more than once per day.

What if I already passed the FCLE or a qualifying exam?
Send your official transcripts or score reports to SPC.

Your Civic Literacy requirement is based only on when you first entered a Florida public college or university:

• Before Fall 2018: Course and FCLE
• Fall 2018–Summer 2021: Course or Exam
• Fall 2021 or later: Course and FCLE

Out-of-state and private colleges do not lock in earlier rules.