Becoming a certified teacher in Florida involves meeting academic, testing, and practical experience requirements. The state’s public education system serves nearly three million students across 67 school districts, creating a continuous need for new educators. Understanding the specific steps for state certification is the foundation for beginning a teaching career in Florida.
Foundational Requirements for Florida Certification
All individuals seeking a Florida Educator’s Certificate must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The degree does not need to be in education, but the subject area must align with the content the applicant intends to teach. Official transcripts from every college or university attended must be submitted to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Bureau of Educator Certification during the application process.
The application is submitted through the FLDOE’s online licensing service and requires an application fee of $75 per subject area requested. A mandatory Level 2 background screening is required for all applicants, involving a fingerprint-based check against state and national criminal databases. The FLDOE will not issue a certificate until the background screening results have been cleared, which is often coordinated through the hiring school district.
After reviewing the application, transcripts, and initial requirements, the FLDOE issues an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE). This document outlines the specific remaining requirements, such as examinations or coursework, that the applicant must complete to earn a Professional Certificate. The SOE allows an applicant to seek employment and begin the process of obtaining an initial teaching certificate.
Understanding Florida’s Teacher Certificate Types
Florida utilizes two primary credentials: the Temporary Certificate and the Professional Certificate. The Temporary Certificate is a non-renewable credential valid for three school years, allowing an individual to teach full-time while completing all remaining certification requirements. This certificate is only issued after an applicant has secured employment in an approved Florida school and the employer has processed the required fingerprint screening.
The goal is to convert the Temporary Certificate into the Professional Certificate, which is the state’s highest level of certification. The Professional Certificate is valid for five school years and is fully renewable upon meeting continuing education requirements. Florida administrative rules prohibit an educator from holding consecutive Temporary Certificates, meaning all requirements outlined on the SOE must be completed before the initial Temporary Certificate expires.
The Traditional Path to Professional Certification
The traditional pathway is for individuals who complete a state-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) integrated into a college or university degree in education. These degree programs cover the required professional preparation and education competencies, including student teaching experience. Graduates of these programs often have many core requirements satisfied upon graduation.
If a Florida EPP graduate has passed all three required Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE), they are eligible to apply directly for the renewable Professional Certificate. If the graduate has not passed all exams, they typically apply for the Temporary Certificate. This certificate allows them a three-year period to pass the remaining exams while teaching full-time.
Out-of-state educators who completed an approved teacher preparation program in another state may qualify for a Temporary Certificate based on reciprocity. They must meet Florida’s specific testing and professional education requirements within the three-year period. This route recognizes training received elsewhere while ensuring compliance with Florida’s standards.
Alternative Routes for Career Changers
Career changers who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education often use alternative routes to certification. The Statement of Eligibility (SOE) confirms their subject-area knowledge and outlines the professional preparation they still need to complete. These candidates often begin teaching immediately under a Temporary Certificate.
One common pathway is the Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) program, an accelerated, competency-based program offered by state colleges or qualified private providers. EPI programs are designed for non-education degree holders and can often be completed in 12 to 15 months, covering the necessary professional education coursework and clinical experience. This is a method for satisfying the professional preparation requirement on the SOE.
Another alternative is the district-run Professional Learning Certification Program (PLCP) or Professional Development Certification Program (PDCP), which provides on-the-job training. These competency-based programs are offered to full-time instructional staff, requiring two to three years of teaching experience under a mentor while completing professional development modules aligned with the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs). Specific legislation also provides military certification waivers for active-duty members, honorably discharged veterans, and their spouses, waiving initial application and examination fees.
Comprehensive Guide to Required Certification Exams
All candidates must pass the three components of the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) to achieve a Professional Certificate. These three exams are the General Knowledge Test (GK), the Professional Education Test (PEd), and the Subject Area Examination (SAE). The GK test assesses college-level reading, English language skills, essay writing, and mathematics, and must be passed before the Professional Certificate is issued.
The PEd test evaluates pedagogical knowledge and the application of professional practices, focusing on instructional design, classroom management, and assessment. The Subject Area Examination (SAE) measures content competency for the subject the applicant intends to teach. While the GK and PEd must be passed for the Professional Certificate, the SAE must often be passed to qualify for the Temporary Certificate.
A master’s or higher degree from an accredited institution provides an exemption from the GK examination requirement. Candidates who fail any portion of the FTCE must wait 31 days before attempting a retake of that specific section. Passing scores are electronically submitted to the FLDOE, but the applicant remains responsible for ensuring all requirements are met before the Temporary Certificate expires.
Maintaining and Renewing Your Professional Certificate
The Florida Professional Certificate is valid for five years and requires renewal before its expiration date to maintain active teaching status. To renew, an educator must earn a total of six semester hours of college credit or 120 in-service points during that period. The application for renewal is submitted online through the FLDOE’s licensing service.
Specific Renewal Requirements
Within the total renewal credit requirement, specific coursework must be completed:
- At least one semester hour (or 20 in-service points) must be dedicated to teaching students with disabilities (SWD).
- Two semester hours (or 40 in-service points) must be completed in evidence-based instruction and interventions grounded in the science of reading.
This reading requirement applies to educators in specific coverage areas, such as elementary education, English, and Exceptional Student Education, and is intended to address the needs of students with characteristics of dyslexia.
The equivalent of one semester hour is 20 in-service points earned through an approved Florida master in-service program. Educators must ensure that all required college credits or in-service points are earned before the Professional Certificate expires, as failure to renew will result in the certificate becoming inactive.
Finding Teaching Employment in Florida
The job search process in Florida is decentralized, as the state is composed of 67 independent public school districts, each managing its own hiring procedures. Aspiring teachers must apply directly to the school district or charter school where they wish to work, typically through the district’s human resources website or online portal. Although the FLDOE provides a statewide job board, the formal application and employment process remain district-specific.
Before applying for employment, candidates should ensure they have received their Official Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE) from the FLDOE. The SOE confirms the applicant is eligible for a Temporary Certificate and can be legally employed as a teacher. Having all certification documents, including transcripts and passing exam scores, readily available will streamline the hiring and onboarding process with the employing school district.