Navigating Teacher Certification in Florida: A Comprehensive Guide

All Florida public K-12 teachers must meet the certification standards established by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). 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. Educators include classroom teachers, school administrators, and other support professionals, such as guidance counselors and media specialists. The Bureau of Educator Certification (BEC) is responsible for implementing the certification provisions in Florida Statutes and State Board of Education administrative rules.

This article provides a detailed overview of the teacher certification process in Florida, covering the traditional pathway, alternative routes, reciprocity, renewal, and additional opportunities for certified teachers.

Traditional Path to Florida Teacher Certification

The main steps for the traditional path to teacher certification in Florida are:

Complete a bachelor’s degree with a state-approved teacher preparation component.
Complete a student teaching placement.
Pass the required teacher certification exams.
Apply for a teaching certificate or license.

The section below covers the traditional pathway to becoming a teacher in Florida.

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree with an Approved Teacher Preparation Program

All Florida teachers must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The bachelor’s degree major will depend on the grade level and subject to be taught. All prospective teachers must also complete an initial teacher preparation (ITP) program to meet the requirements for teacher certification. Candidates who have completed their bachelor’s degree but have not yet completed the ITP can apply for a Temporary Certificate while they meet the requirements.

Read also: Impact of Teacher Shouting

You can compare key metrics for state-approved teacher preparation programs on our Florida schools page. You can also read about two important accreditations to consider, institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation, on our teaching schools guide.

2. Complete a Student Teaching Placement

Florida requires educators to complete a preservice field experience, or internship, during their ITP. Field experiences are opportunities for prospective teachers to develop their teaching skills in a classroom under the supervision of an experienced teacher who provides actionable feedback. They must complete at least 60 hours of preservice field experience before the culminating field experience, which includes at least 12 weeks of student teaching. Some programs may offer longer field experiences or opportunities for more than one placement.

3. Pass the Required Florida Teacher Exams

Florida requires prospective teachers to take the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) to demonstrate their content and pedagogical knowledge. The FTCE includes tests in general knowledge (reading, writing, and mathematics), professional knowledge, and subject area knowledge. The subject area test required is associated with the certification subject area. Candidates will receive guidance about the tests required for their certification area through their ITP.

The FLDOE Postsecondary Assessment describes the exams required for teachers and administrators in Florida, including tests structure and FAQs.

4. Apply for Florida Teacher Certification

Once these requirements have been met, Florida teaching candidates can apply for certification. Applications must be submitted online through the FLDOE Online Licensing Service. All applications must include:

Official Transcripts (submitted directly by the school or dropped off in-person)
Proof of passing FTCE scores
Fingerprint based background check
Non-refundable application fee

For more information on the certification process, visit the FLDOE Certification Steps page.

Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification

Florida offers a number of traditional and alternative educator preparation routes that lead to full Professional certification. Some routes are direct pathways to the Professional Certificate. The Routes to a Florida Professional Certificate Chart (PDF) 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.

If you are a bachelor’s degree holder who has yet to complete a teacher preparation program, check out our guide to alternative teacher certification in Florida. Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in as little as 9 months.

Other alternative routes include: 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). Need help determining the Florida subject that matches your current credentials?

Temporary Certificate

Florida offers two types of certificates, a Professional and Temporary certification. Florida educators must be certified to teach in our public schools and in many of the private schools. Florida offers two types of certificates, a Professional and 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.

Read also: Student Teacher Duties Explained

You must qualify for at least a Temporary Certificate to be employed as a teacher. When you have completed the requirements listed on your Official Statement for the Temporary Certificate, send official documentation to the Bureau of Educator Certification.

Official Statement of Eligibility (SOE)

Before you can enroll in an EPI, you’ll need to obtain an Official Statement of Eligibility (SOE). 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. If your Official Statement expires before you are employed in a Florida school, you may re-apply for a new Official Statement.

It’s important to note this is just one example of a path to a teaching certification in Florida.
It’s important to note this is just one example of a path to a teaching certification in Florida.

Teaching License Reciprocity

Out-of-state applicants will qualify for a Professional Certificate through the FLDOE online portal. To apply for a Professional Certificate in Florida through reciprocity, applicants must submit:

Out-of-state license or certificate
Official transcripts (submitted directly by the school or dropped off in-person)
Proof of passing exam scores
Complete application package
Non-refundable application fee

Additional information on Florida’s reciprocity program and the requirements needed to qualify can be found on the FLDOE Reciprocity page. You can learn more about transferring a teaching certificate or license between states on our guide to certification reciprocity.

Florida Teacher Certification Renewal

Professional Certificates must be renewed through the FLDOE online portal under the tab “It’s Time to Renew!” To qualify for renewal, applicants must complete six semester hours of college credit, including one semester hour in teaching students with disabilities. Florida offers a variety of alternatives to meet the renewal requirements, which can be found on the FLDOE Educator Certification Renewal Requirements page.

The Renewal Application must be submitted through your Certification Online account. College level credits used for certificate renewal must be awarded by an accredited or approved institution (Word), or the American Council on Education (ACE), and must be reflected on an official transcript. A grade of at least "C" must be earned in each college course used for renewal. Reading (RDG) and Educational Leadership (EDL) credit requirements can only be satisfied by college credit or inservice points. If removing subjects to eliminate the Reading (RDG) or Educational Leadership (EDL) renewal credit requirements, a separate “Removal of Subject(s) Request” application will be required before the Renewal Application can be processed. Otherwise, educators may remove subjects from the Professional Certificate by listing them on the “Remove Subject(s)” page of the Renewal Application. Florida requires teachers to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.

It’s important to check regularly with the Florida Department of Education for updates on renewal requirements and procedures.

Adding Subjects or Grades to a Certificate

Once certified to teach in Florida, teachers can only work in the subject and grade level they are certified in, although occasional, temporary exceptions are made.

Related Licenses and Endorsements

In addition to standard teaching certificates, Florida offers a number of certificates and endorsements for support and administrative staff, each with their own set of requirements. Examples include:

Educational Media Specialist: Specialty Class: More commonly called librarians, Education Media Specialists are certified to work with grades preK-12 in public or charter schools. Specialists must have at least a bachelor’s degree and meet one of a variety of other specialty experience requirements.
School Principal: Administrative Class: To become a principal in Florida, candidates must have an Administrative Class School Principal endorsement. School principals must have a master’s degree, a valid Professional Certificate in educational leadership, supervision, or administration, and a passing score on the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE).
School Psychologist: Specialty Class: School psychologist endorsements allow professionals to work in any setting from pre-K through 12th grade. Candidates can follow one of four pathways to qualify for the School Psychologist endorsement, each requiring a combination of education and supervised experience. School psychologists in Florida must have a master’s degree or higher.

In addition to the above endorsements, Florida also certifies a variety of professional service areas such as school counselor, social worker, and educational leadership.

Florida Teacher Outlook, Salary, and Jobs

Projected Job Growth 12% Growth in Teaching Jobs in FL through 20322

Based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the 2017-2018 school year, Florida had approximately 186,128 teachers and 2,832,424 students.3 The overall student-to-teacher ratio in Florida is approximately 15:1.3

In general, job prospects for teachers in Florida are much better than projected national averages. Job growth for Florida elementary teachers is expected to be 12.2% compared to 0.7% nationally; for Florida middle school teachers, 12.3% compared to 0.8% nationally; and for high school teachers, 12.2% compared to 1% nationally.2 The table below provides a detailed comparison of job growth prospects and salary levels for Florida teachers.

Type	Number Employed in FL4	Average Annual Openings in FL2	FL Proj. Job Growth 2022-20322	Average Annual Salary in FL4	25th Percentile Wages in FL5	75th Percentile Wages in FL5
Preschool Teachers	23,820	-	-	$30,990	$23,730	$34,530
Preschool Teachers, Special Education	2,000	170	10.1%	$60,270	$45,660	$76,860
Kindergarten Teachers	9,310	1,140	11.3%	$58,990	$47,250	$66,620
Elementary School Teachers	66,610	5,500	12.2%	$59,240	$48,360	$68,120
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Special Education	7,010	570	11.7%	$57,780	$49,150	$65,060
Middle School Teachers	34,130	2,820	12.3%	$58,700	$47,700	$64,990
Middle School Teachers, Special Education	1,810	-	-	$63,710	$49,300	$78,580
Middle School Teachers, Career/Technical Education	740	-	-	$65,880	$50,300	$74,660
Secondary School Teachers	49,420	3,800	12.2%	$63,470	$49,820	$74,670
Secondary School Teachers, Special Education	8,650	-	-	$66,220	$49,800	$77,750
Secondary School Teachers, Career/Technical Education	-	-	-	$62,650	$48,700	$67,910

*The estimated job growth average is based on projections for mainstream kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school teachers. Projections for other categories, such as special education and career and technical education, may be higher or lower than the average.

The average starting salary for a Florida teacher is $47,178, according to the National Education Association. That’s No. The average overall salary for a Florida teacher is $53,098, No. The average starting salary for a Florida teacher is $47,178, according to the National Education Association. That’s No.

Teacher Shortages in Florida

Florida, like many states throughout the country, has reported a number of teacher shortages for the 2023-2024 school year. According to the US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Area report, Florida is experiencing shortages in the following areas:

English as a Second Language, Pre-K-12
General Science, Pre-K-12
Language Arts: English, Pre-K-12
Mathematics, Pre-K-12
Physical Science, Pre-K-12
Special Education: Exceptional Children, Pre-K-126

In addition to the above shortages, Florida had around 5,300 unfilled teaching positions during the 2022-2023 school year.7 22,538 teachers during the 2021-2022 school year (the most recent data available) were considered underqualified for their positions. This includes teachers serving outside of their certification area on a temporary or emergency basis.7

Florida School District Requirements

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a teacher in Jacksonville, check out our city page below. On this page, you will find a step-by-step description of how to become a teacher in Jacksonville’s public school district as well as information on private and charter schools in the area, becoming a substitute teacher, and school contact information.

Jacksonville

Additional Resources

FLDOE Certification Subjects: A complete list of the certification subjects available in Florida, with links outlining the exam requirements to qualify for each subject.
FLDOE Educator Certification: The FLDOE certification homepage for prospective teachers, which provides links to applications, FAQs, and administrative codes.
FLDOE Postsecondary Assessment: Describes the exams required for teachers and administrators in Florida, including tests structure and FAQs.
FLDOE Public Online Licensing Service: FLDOE’s online portal for teachers. Applications for new teachers, renewals, add-ons, and reinstatements are submitted through this portal.
Florida Education Association (FEA): Association providing news, professional development opportunities, and job postings for teachers in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How do I become a substitute teacher in Florida?

Answer: The requirements for becoming a substitute teacher in Florida vary depending on each district. 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.

Question: How many private schools and private school teachers are in Florida?

Answer: According to data from the 2019-2020 school year, there were 2,506 private schools operating in Florida. Across those schools, there were 37,480 full-time teachers employed, teaching a total of 395,043 students.8 The FLDOE does not set requirements for Florida private schools or teachers, although individual schools may prefer certified teachers.

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