Certifications

Types of Florida Educator’s Certificates

There are two types of Florida Educator’s Certificates. The standard or highest certificate in Florida is the Professional Certificate, which is valid for five school years and may be renewed. Florida also issues a nonrenewable Temporary Certificate, which is valid for three school years, to an individual who does not qualify for the Professional Certificate but meets certain criteria to demonstrate subject content knowledge. Florida does not issue an "emergency" certificate.

Qualifying for a Professional Certificate

When Step 1 is completed, you will receive an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility reflecting eligibility for a Professional Certificate (Step 2), if documentation of all of the following has been received:

• Mastery of general knowledge.
• Mastery of subject area knowledge.
• Mastery of professional preparation and education competence.

Direct Routes to a Professional Certificate
Florida laws provide for the acceptance of valid standard certificates from other U.S. states, U.S. territories, and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) to meet all qualifications shown above for the Professional Certificate. Visit our web site at www.fldoe.org/edcert details about these direct routes and the subjects in which Florida offers certification.

State Certified Educator
This individual must submit with his/her complete application a copy of a valid standard certificate issued by a U.S. state or territory in a subject that is determined to be comparable to a subject issued in Florida.

Nationally Certified Educator
This individual must submit with his/her application a copy of a valid standard certificate issued by the NBPTS.

Qualifying for a Temporary Certificate

If you complete Step 1 and do not qualify for a Professional Certificate, you may receive an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility reflecting eligibility for a Temporary Certificate (Step 2), if you:

• demonstrate mastery of subject area knowledge (see following page for options), or
• complete the degree or course requirements outlined in Florida State Board of Education Rules for the subject you have requested with a GPA of 2.5 in the subject courses.

Options for Meeting Certification Requirements
Individuals who are issued a Temporary Certificate must complete the following to be issued a Professional Certificate.

• Demonstrating Mastery of General Knowledge
  This requirement must be satisfied within one year from the date of initial employment in Florida. Mastery of general knowledge may be demonstrated by one of the following:
  • Achievement of a passing score on the Florida General Knowledge Test.
  • Achievement of a passing score on the Florida College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) earned prior to July 1, 2002.
  • A valid standard teaching certificate issued by another U.S. state, U.S. territory, NBPTS, or American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE).
  • Two semesters of full-time college teaching experience at an accredited or approved institution.
• Demonstrating Mastery of Subject Area Knowledge
  Mastery of subject area knowledge may be demonstrated by one of the following:
  • For bachelor’s degree level subjects: Achievement of a passing score on the appropriate Florida subject area examination earned after July 1, 2002.
  • For master’s degree level subjects: Completion of the required degree and content courses listed in State Board Rule for the subject and achievement of a passing score on the appropriate Florida subject area examination.
  • For all subject areas: A valid standard certificate issued in the subject at the same degree level required in Florida by another U.S. state, U.S. territory, NBPTS, or ABCTE.
• Demonstrating Mastery of Professional Preparation and Education Competence
  Mastery of professional preparation and education competence may be demonstrated by one of the following:
  • Completion of a Florida state-approved teacher preparation program or a teacher education program from an institution outside Florida and achievement of a passing score on the Florida Professional Education Test.
  • A valid standard certificate issued by another U.S. state, U.S. territory, or NBPTS an institution located outside the U.S. must be reviewed by the Bureau of Educator.
  • A valid standard certificate issued by ABCTE Certification and completion of an approved professional education competence demonstration system.
  • Completion of a Florida state-approved alternative certification program.
  • Completion of 20 semester hours of specified education courses, completion of an approved professional education competence demonstration system, and achievement of a passing score on the Florida Professional Education Test.
  • Two semesters of full-time college teaching experience at an accredited or approved institution.

Download a brochure outlining the certification requirements.

To apply for certification online, visit: www.fldoe.org/edcert

Pathways to Full State Certification in Florida

Frequently Asked Questions

Requests to FTCE bulletins, and other inquiries can be made by contacting Peggy Stoever or the Professional Development Center.