Gameplan's Unreal Engine 3D Fundamentals Certification Listed on Florida's 2026-27 CAPE Funding List, Pending Final Approval
Information Technology credential could give eligible Florida schools a funded pathway to introduce real-time 3D skills to students through 10th grade
MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / September 3, 2026 / Gameplan, an education technology company helping schools connect student interest in gaming and technology with career-ready skills, today announced that its Unreal Engine 3D Fundamentals Certification is listed on Florida's 2026-27 Career and Professional Education, or CAPE, Industry Certification Funding List, pending final approval by the Florida State Board of Education.
Gameplan announced that as of July 31, 2026, its Unreal Engine 3D Fundamentals Certification, listed under certification code GAMEP001, appears within Florida's Information Technology career pathway and is identified for eligible students through 10th grade, subject to final State Board of Education approval.
Developed in collaboration with Epic Games, the Unreal Engine 3D Fundamentals certification is delivered exclusively through Gameplan, which serves as the credential's independent assessment delivery and administration partner.
"Teachers have been asking for an industry credential for years, and now educators have the Unreal Engine 3D Fundamentals Certification that they can build a program around," said Steve Isaacs, Director of Secondary Education at Epic Games. "We're excited to offer the certification that gives students a way to turn game development, digital art, and animation projects into a real-world credential that they can present to colleges and employers. With our partner Gameplan, it's now approved in 9 states and on Florida's CAPE list, unlocking CTE funding for schools teaching Unreal Engine. "
If granted final approval, the certification would give eligible Florida schools and districts an opportunity to provide students with industry-connected instruction in 3D design, interactive technology, and Unreal Engine while potentially generating supplemental state funding when qualifying students successfully earn the credential.
"Being listed on Florida's CAPE Industry Certification Funding List represents an important step toward making advanced technology education more accessible to students across the state," said Rasmus Sandström, CEO of Gameplan. "Students are already highly interested in gaming, game design, 3D design, and immersive technology. With final approval, schools would have another way to transform that interest into structured learning, practical skills, and a recognized credential that can support students as they explore future education and career pathways."
What Final CAPE Approval Would Mean for Florida Schools
Florida's CAPE program connects education and workforce development by encouraging schools to offer programs that lead to approved industry certifications and prepare students for continued education and future careers.
Pending final approval, Gameplan's Unreal Engine 3D Fundamentals certification is listed as a CAPE Basic Non-Articulated credential with a proposed funding and accountability value of 0.1 for eligible student earners.
If approved, the 0.1 value would be used within Florida's education funding formula when calculating applicable supplemental funding associated with eligible student credential attainment.
For Florida schools and districts, successful certification attainment could:
Generate supplemental state funding for eligible student earners
Support applicable college and career acceleration and school accountability measures
Strengthen or expand career and technical education programs
Provide students with a CAPE-listed technology credential
Create an accessible entry point into 3D design and interactive technology pathways
The proposed listing identifies the certification for eligible students through 10th grade. With final approval, schools would be able to introduce these skills earlier and give students more time to continue into advanced courses, projects, certifications, and career-connected learning experiences throughout high school.
"Florida schools could soon have an opportunity to introduce students to real-time 3D technology earlier, within a structured pathway that can grow with them throughout high school," said Chris Aviles, Director of Education at Gameplan. "Final approval would help educators connect the technology students are excited about with meaningful projects, an attainable industry certification, and skills that apply across game development, media, simulation, and other rapidly evolving fields."
Building Foundational Unreal Engine Skills
Unreal Engine is a real-time 3D creation tool used across industries including game development, film and television production, architecture, automotive design, simulation, and immersive experiences.
Gameplan's Unreal Engine 3D Fundamentals program is designed for classroom implementation and introduces students to essential concepts through structured, project-based learning. Students develop foundational technical skills while completing practical work that can contribute to a portfolio and prepare them for more advanced coursework.
Gameplan provides ready-to-teach curriculum, educator resources, student progress tracking, assessment tools, and certification preparation, while also serving as the exclusive delivery platform for the Unreal Engine 3D Fundamentals certification exam.
The program is designed to help schools launch or expand technology pathways without requiring educators to develop a complete Unreal Engine program from the ground up. Candidates may also prepare for the certification through other instructional pathways and are not required to complete a specific Gameplan course before taking the exam.
A Potential Foundation for Expanded Technology Pathways
Final CAPE approval would create an opportunity for Florida districts to use Unreal Engine 3D Fundamentals as an early step in a broader sequence of technology courses, projects, and credentials.
Schools could begin with foundational real-time 3D learning and continue into advanced game development, interactive media, career exploration, portfolio development, and real-world project experiences throughout high school.
Gameplan also plans to pursue postsecondary articulation and additional employer validation that could provide greater value to Florida students and schools as the credential and related pathways continue to develop.
Florida district leaders, CTE administrators, school leaders, and educators interested in preparing for potential implementation of the Unreal Engine 3D Fundamentals certification can request certification details, course information, technology requirements, implementation guidance, and district pricing at Gameplan.com.
About Gameplan
Gameplan is a career-connected learning platform that helps middle and high schools turn student interest in gaming and technology into workforce-ready skills.
Through ready-to-teach curriculum, project-based learning, industry certifications, professional development, educator resources, and built-in classroom tools, Gameplan helps schools deliver pathways in game development, cybersecurity, media production, career exploration, and emerging technology.
Gameplan's programs are designed to support stronger student engagement, career readiness, and practical skill development while making technology education easier for schools and educators to implement.
For more information, visit https://gameplan.com/florida-unreal-engine-3d-fundamentals
Media Contact
Rasmus Sandström
Gameplan
[email protected]
(201) 644-6712
SOURCE: Gameplan Education Inc