florida teacher certification how to find which education course i need to take

by Euna Bernier II 10 min read

What are the requirements for a teaching certification in Florida?

  • You must have at a bachelor’s degree, at minimum, from a regionally accredited college or university, or from a non-accredited, approved institution.
  • Regionally accredited institutions must be accredited by one of the following accreditation bodies:
  • The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

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How do you become a certified teacher in Florida?

in Florida, visit the state's department of education website. To earn your teaching credential you will have to complete the appropriate amount of undergraduate coursework and standardized tests, as well as an accredited certification program.

What are the requirements to become a teacher in Florida?

Two Semesters of Full-Time College Teaching Experience, Passing the Florida Professional Education Test, and Passing the Florida Subject Area Examination (for a bachelor’s level subject). Please note that a graduate level subject requires the graduate degree/coursework specified in the governing State Board Rule in addition to Passing the Florida Subject Area Examination.

How long does it take to get a teaching certificate?

Through a traditional route, it takes roughly five years to get your degree and teaching certificate. If you already have a Bachelor degree, we recommend exploring the alternative route to teaching.

What certifications do you need to teach in Florida?

Valid Certificate Issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Teacher Education Degree Program and Passing Florida Certification Examinations. Educator Preparation Institute Program and Passing Florida Certification Examinations.

How do I add an ESE to my Florida teaching certificate?

To add a subject coverage to a valid Florida Professional Certificate, you must:Submit a completed Application Form CG-10 (a complete application form includes appropriate processing fee), and.Demonstrate mastery of subject knowledge in the subject you wish to add.

What is Fldoe certification?

The purpose of Florida educator certification is to support the academic achievement of our students by assuring that our educators are professionally qualified for highly effective instruction. Florida educators must be certified to teach in our public schools and in many of our private schools.

Which certificate course is best for teaching?

Answer:Primary Teacher Training in Student ICT skill development on Udemy.Certificate in Pre and Primary Teacher Training by INTESOL Worldwide (6 months)Certificate in Pre and Primary Teacher Training Course by Asian College of Teachers (4 months)

What is an ESE teacher in Florida?

Exceptional Student Education Teachers are in Demand In Florida, children with physical and mental disabilities who are offered a specialized form of instruction are known as exceptional students. The personalized help they are given at school is called Exceptional Students Education or ESE.

Can I teach in Florida without a teaching degree?

Public school teachers in Florida are required to obtain teacher certification before leading a classroom. In order to be eligible for certification, the Sunshine State requires all teachers to hold a bachelor's degree and complete a state-approved teacher education program.

Is the FTCE hard?

The Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) are used to determine if you have the content and pedagogy knowledge to teach in the state of Florida. So the FTCE has to be hard, right? The answer is yes. The FTCE does cover a lot of information and is challenging.

What is Nbpts certification?

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certifies teachers who successfully complete its rigorous certification process.

Does Florida require teachers take Praxis?

The Praxis exam in Florida is no longer required for teacher certification. As of April 1, 2020, Florida now uses the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE). In some cases of out-of-state reciprocity, a candidate's Praxis exam scores may be accepted.

What are the different types of educational certificates?

Learn about the most common types of certificates, diplomas, and degrees offered by post-secondary schools....Graduate Certificates and DegreesPost-Baccalaureate Certificate. ... Graduate Degree. ... Master's Degree. ... Post-Master's Certificate. ... Doctorate Degree. ... First Professional.

Which course is best for primary teacher?

Candidates can pursue a certificate, diploma, bachelor's degree and also a masters degree in Primary Teaching or Elementary Education. At the undergraduate and postgraduate level, primary teacher training courses are B El Ed and MEd, respectively.

What are teacher training courses?

CoursesAward in Education and Training.Diploma in Education and Training (DET) / Professional Graduate Certificate of Education (ProfGCE)Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools - Level 2.Teaching English Language to Adults (CELTA): Autumn Blended.Teaching English Language to Adults (CELTA): Spring Blended.More items...

What is the route to a Florida professional certificate?

The Routes to a Florida Professional Certificate Chart shows all of the educator preparation options, traditional and alternative, leading to the full Professional Certificate. The chart is separated into three distinct route types – teacher preparation programs, certificate reciprocity, and other alternative routes. It also includes details for each preparation option with links to websites that provide additional information on each route.

How long is Florida Professional Certification good for?

The Florida Professional Certification is the highest certification level you can receive. It is valid for five school years and is renewable. Requirements for obtaining this type of certification are listed below:

How does a temporary certificate work in Florida?

Your Florida Temporary Certificate is issued when: your Official Statement states that “you are eligible” for at least a Temporary Certificate, and. you are employed as a teacher and your fingerprints are processed before your Official Statement expires. 2.

How long is a Florida temporary certificate valid?

A Florida Temporary Certification is valid for three school years and is nonrenewable. The purpose of a Temporary Certification is to provide time to complete all the requirements for a Professional Certificate while teaching full-time. Requirements for obtaining this type of certification are listed below:

What happens if your Florida school official statement expires?

3. If your Official Statement expires before you are employed in a Florida school, you may re-apply for a new Official Statement. You will be then evaluated for eligibility based upon the certification laws and rules in effect at the time your next application is received. 1.

What to do if you are not eligible for Florida certificate?

If your Official Statement indicates that you are “not eligible” for a Florida certificate, it will provide you with options for completing requirements for certification. 2. When you have completed the requirements listed on your Official Statement for the Temporary Certificate, send official documentation to the Bureau of Educator Certification.

Do you have to have your fingerprints reprocessed in Florida?

Please note: If a United States citizen chooses to have his or her fingerprints processed prior to Florida employment for issuance of the Professional Certificate, it may be necessary to have the fingerprints reprocessed, and the individual may have to pay a second processing fee as a condition of employment in a Florida public school.

How to get a Florida teacher certificate?

In order to receive a Professional Florida Educator’s Certificate, candidates must first complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. In Florida approved preparation programs are known as Educator Preparation Institutes (EPIs). You can view a list of approved teacher training programs through the Florida Department of Education website. If you have a bachelor’s degree but did not complete a teacher preparation program, you can also read more about different pathways to teaching licensure on our guide to alternative teacher certification in Florida.

What certifications do teachers need in Florida?

All Florida teachers are required to hold educator certification, which requires meeting prerequisites such as passing basic knowledge examinations and completing a formal teacher preparation program. The Florida Department of Education oversees the teaching certification process, which is outlined below for those looking to learn how ...

How long is a temporary teaching certificate valid in Florida?

A Temporary Certificate is valid for three years and is non-renewable. If applicants want to apply for Florida teacher certification with an out-of-state teaching credential, they may be able to use an interstate reciprocity program to become certified in Florida.

What are the requirements to become a teacher in Florida?

All teaching candidates in Florida are required to pass basic teaching knowledge and content area examinations. Florida testing requirements differ based on the type of certificate the applicant is seeking. Within the two certificate pathways, there are two basic exams and an additional Professional Certificate.

How to become a substitute teacher in Florida?

At a minimum, you must be 18, have graduated from high school, and pass a criminal background check. Many districts require some type of certification as well, which may be through the state or the district.

How much do teachers make in Florida in 2026?

Through 2026, it is predicted that there will be 6,330 average annual openings for elementary school teachers in Florida, 2,760 average annual openings for middle school teachers, and 3,740 average annual openings for secondary school teachers. 3 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in Florida, the average annual salary for elementary school teachers is $50,070, for middle school teachers $53,140, and for secondary school teachers $54,120. 4 The Florida Education Association, the largest active teacher’s union in Florida, provides further information on news and issues impacting the state education system.

How many teachers are there in Florida?

There were a reported 4,336 public schools in Florida during the 2016-2017 school year, with an estimated student enrollment of over 2.8 million. 3 With approximately 186,339 public school teachers, this gave Florida a student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1. 3

How to get a teacher certification in Florida?

You can work towards earning a specific certification in a few different ways: earn your degree in the field of teaching that relates to who and what you want to teach; earn your degree in the subject matter that you want to teach; and/or complete your teacher preparation program for the subject and grade level you seek to teach. From there you will need to pass the appropriate FTCE tests that correspond to your area of expertise.

What is the Florida teacher certification?

There are two teacher certification options for educators in Florida offered by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), the temporary certificate and the professional certificate. Although there are two options, you should aim for earning your professional certificate if you intend on being a career teacher.

How Much Do Teachers in Florida Make?

While teaching doesn’t set you up to become a millionaire, you can make a comfortable living as a teacher in Florida. If you are interested in making more than the average salaries listed below, consider that a higher education and experience level can increase your teaching salary. Your salary can also vary depending on what area of Florida you teach in.

How to get an early childhood education certification in Florida?

For early childhood education, you will need to take and pass the Preschool Education (Birth-Age 4) SAE with a score of 200 or higher . This exam includes a variety of competency areas covering your knowledge of the following:

What is the minimum score required to pass the SAE in Florida?

To pass the exam you should earn a score of 200 or higher by being proficient in language arts and reading, social science, science, and mathematics. If you are interested in teaching the lower elementary grade levels you may want to take the Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 SAE. The exam is broken up into four distinct sub-tests: developmental knowledge, language arts and reading, mathematics, and science.

What score do you need to get a special education teacher certification in Florida?

In terms of testing, candidates should earn a score of 200 or higher on the Exceptional Student Education K-12 SAE. It will test your knowledge of these types of subjects:

How many tests are required to pass for Florida teacher certification?

There are three tests that all Florida educators are expected to pass before earning their teacher certification exam. Each exam is referred to as a Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE):

What are the different types of education certificates in Florida?

Florida offers two types of Educator Certificates: the Temporary Certificate and the Professional Certificate. The Florida Temporary Certificate is issued after the individual is employed in a Florida school and his/her fingerprints have been cleared.

What are the requirements to become a certified teacher?

Provides time to complete all requirements for a Professional Certificate while teaching full-time. Requirements: Requirements: Complete all application process requirements. Complete all application process requirements. Hold at least a bachelor's degree. Hold at least a bachelor's degree. Demonstrat e Mastery of Subject Area Knowledge ...

What is a Florida professional certificate?

The Florida Professional Certificate is issued after the individual's results of his/her fingerprint-based background screening have been cleared. The individual seeking employment in Florida will be assisted in completing the fingerprint process by his/her employer. A U.S. citizen who is not seeking employment in Florida or has an immediate need ...

When is a temporary certificate issued in Florida?

The Florida Temporary Certificate is issued after the individual is employed in a Florida school and his/her fingerprints have been cleared.

Do you have to have your fingerprints reprocessed in Florida?

Please note: If a U.S. citizen chooses to have his/her fingerprints processed prior to Florida employment for issuance of the Professional Certificate, it may be necessary to have the fingerprints reprocessed, and the individual may have to pay a second processing fee as a condition of employment in a Florida public school.

When does the Florida Teacher Certification expire?

At this time, the voucher limit has been reached, and the voucher code will expire at 11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 19, 2020. Full test fees will apply for any future registrations.

Who provides testing services for the FTCE?

Testing services, including Test Administrations, for the FTCE are provided by Evaluation Systems group of Pearson.

How to get a Florida educator certificate?

Individuals who apply for a Florida Educator Certificate must meet certain standards before a certificate will be issued. An applicant has to meet academic qualifications, be at least 18 years of age, be of good moral character, and must not have been convicted of a disqualifying offense. Once an application for certification and the required state and federal fingerprint based criminal history reports have been received, the Bureau of Educator Certification will refer to the Office of Professional Practices Services any application on which the applicant has acknowledged a criminal history or an administrative sanction against a professional license. The Bureau of Educator Certification will also refer an application to Professional Practices Services if a criminal history is revealed on the state or federal criminal history report or if there is notification from another state education agency that disciplinary action has been issued against another state issued educator certificate.

What happens if your Florida education certificate is invalidated?

If an applicant's Statement of Eligibility and application are invalidated, he or she is no longer eligible for employment in a position which requires a Florida Educator Certificate. A person can re-apply if the application and statement of eligibility are invalidated.

When is an application referred to Professional Practices Services?

The primary reasons for an application to be sent to the Office of Professional Practices Services are when an applicant has a criminal history or administrative disciplinary action against a professional license.

How does an applicant know if his or her application will be sent to Professional Practices Services?

An application will not be referred to Professional Practices Services until the required state and federal fingerprint-based criminal history results are received by the Bureau of Educator Certification.

Are there any offenses that disqualify someone from receiving a Florida Educator Certificate?

Yes . Section 1012.315, Florida Statutes, established a list of criminal offenses that, if convicted, make a person ineligible for a Florida Educator Certificate.

What documents will I need to provide to the Office of Professional Practices Services?

Typically an applicant will be required to provide the following documents related to criminal history records:

What happens if the applicant does not provide the required documents to Professional Practices Services?

The Office of Professional Practices Services will notify the Bureau of Educator Certification that the applicant failed to provide the required information and the application and statement of eligibility will be invalidated.

How many hours of college credit do you need to renew your teaching certificate?

Six (6) semester hours of college credit to include at least one (1) semester hour in teaching students with disabilities (SWD) must be earned during each renewal period to renew your certificate. See information below on Acceptable College Credit Equivalencies for Renewal, Appropriate Topics for Renewal Credit, and retaining all subjects on your certificate.

How many inservice points are required for Florida Master's?

Sixty (60) inservice points in an approved Florida master inservice program are equivalent to three (3) semester hours of college credit. A passing numerical score on the Florida subject area exam specific to the coverage to be renewed is equivalent to three (3) semester hours of college credit for renewal purposes.

What is an exceptional needs specialist certificate?

An Exceptional Needs Specialist certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards satisfies the requirement for credit in teaching SWD, when the Florida professional certificate includes a subject in instructing students with disabilities.

When do you need to renew your professional certificate?

Renewal requirements must be completed during the last validity period of the Professional Certificate and prior to expiration of the Professional Certificate. It is the responsibility of each applicant to obtain current information regarding renewal requirements from the employing school district or Bureau of Educator Certification.

How many hours do you need to teach SWD?

You must earn at least six (6) semester hours of college credit, which must include at least one (1) semester hour in teaching SWD; and you must earn three (3) semester hours in Appropriate Topics for Renewal Credit for each additional subject you want to retain on your certificate. Contact Educator Certification.

What grade do you need to renew your college certificate?

A grade of at least "C" must be earned in each college course used for renewal. A grade of "pass" or "satisfactory" is an acceptable grade. In the event a subject is deleted from the certificate at the request of the certificate holder or due to noncompletion of renewal requirements, all requirements which are in effect when an application is ...

Who is responsible for renewing school certification?

It is the responsibility of each applicant to obtain current information regarding renewal requirements from the employing school district or Bureau of Educator Certification .

Becoming a Teacher in Florida

If you decide that a teaching career is the right choice for you, the first step you need to take in Florida is to decide what subject and grade level you want to teach.

Elementary Level Teachers

Elementary level teachers either choose Elementary Education (grades K-6), Primary / Pre-kindergarten Education (age 3 through 3rd grade) or Preschool Education (birth through age 4).

Middle Level Teachers

For middle level teachers, the subject areas for grades 5-9 include middle level English, mathematics, general science, social science or an integrated curriculum that combines the individual subjects.

Secondary Level Teachers

Secondary school educators teach grades 9-12 and must choose a subject area on which to focus during their academic studies. Subject matter areas include Drama, English, Journalism, Mathematics, Speech, Social Science, Biology, Chemistry, Earth-Space Science or Physics.

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Educator Preparation Routes

Professional Certification

  • The Florida Professional Certification is the highest certification level you can receive. It is valid for five school years and is renewable. Requirements for obtaining this type of certification are listed below: • Complete all application process requirements • Hold at least a bachelor’s degree • Demonstrate Mastery of Subject Area Knowledge for...
See more on teachflorida.org

Temporary Certification

  • A Florida Temporary Certification is valid for three school years and is nonrenewable. The purpose of a Temporary Certification is to provide time to complete all the requirements for a Professional Certificate while teaching full-time. Requirements for obtaining this type of certification are listed below: • Complete all application process requirements • Hold at least a bachelor’s degree • Dem…
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Statement of Status Eligibility

  • When you send a complete application package for consideration of becoming a certified teacher to the Florida Department of Education, your complete package is evaluated to determine your eligibility for a Florida certificate. The result of that determination is mailed to you as an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility. The Official Statement is valid for three years and has two func…
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Direct Pathway to A Professional Certificate

  • Many applicants go directly to the full Professional Certificate by following one of these pathways: 1. Valid Standard Certificate Issued by another State (See Reciprocity) 2. Valid Certificate Issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) 3. Teacher Education Degree Program and Passing Florida Certification Examinations 4. Educator Preparation Institute Progr…
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Moving from A Temporary to A Professional Certificate

  • The individual who has been teaching under a Temporary Certificate can move to the Professional Certificate with one of these pathways: 1. Valid Certificate Issued by American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE)and Demonstration of Professional Education Competence in the Classroom 2. Florida Professional Development Certification Programand Pa…
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Certification Examinations

  • Visit Certification Examinations (FTCE/FELE)for detailed information on Florida’s certification examinations.
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Contact Information

  • Educator Certification Turlington Building, Suite 201 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 U.S. Toll-Free: 800-445-6739 Outside U.S.: 850-245-5049
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