FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and state education officials announced the arrest of a Fort Lauderdale woman accused of taking teacher certification exams and other tests for people seeking professional credentials.
During a news conference in Fort Lauderdale, Uthmeier said Kashaundra Knowles is accused of fraudulently taking exams for others, including people seeking certification to teach in Florida classrooms. Officials said investigators have identified eight or nine people statewide who allegedly had exams taken for them, and they believe the case could grow as the investigation continues.
“This might seem like, to some people, this is not a big deal, but it is because at the end of the day, this hurts our kids,” Uthmeier said.
Statewide prosecutor Nick Khalil said Knowles allegedly recruited customers through Facebook and Instagram and charged $1,000 to take exams on their behalf. According to Khalil, Knowles used other people’s driver’s licenses, changed her hair, clothing and makeup to resemble the person she was testing for, and in at least one case dressed as a man to take an elementary education exam.
Knowles was arrested June 11, 2026, with assistance from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, officials said.
Uthmeier said Knowles will face charges including organized scheme to defraud and multiple counts related to using phones and text messages to commit crimes. He said additional charges could follow.
Education Commissioner Stassi Kamoutsas said Florida’s teacher certification process depends on public trust and strict standards.
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“Families trust that educators who are standing in the classroom teaching their children are qualified, that they are properly vetted, and they are held to the highest professional standards,” Kamoutsas said.
Kamoutsas said educators who fraudulently obtained certificates will be investigated and held accountable. Those still applying for certification could be denied, while those who already received certificates would go through the Education Practices Commission process before their licenses could be revoked.
Asked whether any educators tied to the case may still be in classrooms, Kamoutsas said the state must follow due process, but districts can also take action through labor and employment procedures if there is sufficient evidence that a certificate was obtained fraudulently.
Uthmeier said teachers who cheated should come forward.
“If you’re one of these teachers that has fraudulently gotten your certification, just go ahead and bring yourself in,” Uthmeier said. “The music’s stopped.”
Officials said the known allegations date back to at least 2024 and involve testing activity in multiple counties, including Broward, Palm Beach and Volusia. Prosecutors said the investigation remains ongoing.
The news conference also touched on other issues, including Uthmeier’s criticism of judges in insanity-defense cases and his concerns about artificial intelligence being used in schools. But officials said the main purpose of the announcement was to send a message that Florida will prosecute people accused of profiting from cheating in the education system.
“If you profit off of cheating in Florida,” Khalil said, “you will be prosecuted.”