Navigating Teacher Education Programs and Certification in Florida

Embarking on a career as an educator in Florida involves a structured path of education, examination, and certification. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the requirements for teacher education programs and certification in Florida, catering to aspiring teachers at all stages of their career journey.

Initial Steps Towards Teacher Certification

The first step toward becoming a teacher in Florida is earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution. All licensure candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Following graduation, the next crucial step is to earn certification if you want to teach in Florida. It’s important to note that not all programs offered are designed to meet state educator licensing or advancement requirements; however, it may assist candidates in gaining these approvals in their state of residence depending on those requirements.

Teacher Education Program Options

Several pathways exist to gain the necessary qualifications for teaching in Florida. These include:

Traditional Route: This typically involves earning a bachelor’s degree in some form of education. Students interested in becoming teachers in Florida will do well to select a fully accredited education degree that is on the list of state-approved educator preparation programs. Earning a degree in education will give students in-depth knowledge of educational theory, learning, and development. Education students will also take other classes in more specific subject areas and learn specific instructional techniques.
Alternative Certification Pathways: For those who want to become teachers and aren’t able to backtrack, alternate teaching certification pathways might be good options to consider.

Read also: Impact of Teacher Shouting
Teach for America (TFA): TFA is an organization that places individuals interested in becoming teachers in high-needs schools for a two-year commitment. These individuals work as teachers in their own classrooms as members of TFA. TFA is very active in Florida and works within three distinct areas including Jacksonville, Orlando, and Miami-Dade. To be considered a candidate for TFA you must have a bachelor’s degree.
Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program: If you already have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than education, Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in as little as 9 months.

College Examples

CF’s Teacher Education program ranks No. 2 in the state among teacher education preparation programs for student performance on the Prek-3 Exam Developmental Knowledge subtest and No. Our Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education and our Associate in Arts pathway to Early Childhood Education directly articulate into our Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. Interested in earning a degree in early childhood education? See if you qualify for the T.E.A.C.H. Noncredit Courses: CF also offers noncredit courses in Early Childhood Education including Florida Child Care Professional Credential courses.

Understanding Florida Teacher Certification

Florida offers two levels of licensure, Temporary and Professional. 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 to earn your professional certificate if you intend to be a career teacher.

Temporary Certificate: A temporary teaching certification in Florida is valid for 5 years but is nonrenewable. A temporary certificate, also valid for 5 years but nonrenewable.

Read also: Navigating Florida Teacher Certification
Professional Certificate: A professional certification is also valid for 5 years. If you have a valid advanced teacher certification that is comparable to the Florida professional licensure, you can earn this advanced level of licensure.

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

The Certification Process

Unlike most states, Florida requires that you apply for certification prior to taking any certification exams. To start the application process you should complete the application packet, which should include a completed CG-10 application form, paying a $75 processing fee, and your official college transcripts. Your completed application should then be sent to the Bureau of Educator Certification for review. Once they receive your application they will notify you as to which certification exams you should take. From there you will receive an Official Statement of Eligibility (OSE). Before you can enroll in an EPI, you’ll need to obtain an Official Statement of Eligibility (SOE). The Statement will either read that “you are eligible” or that “you are not eligible” for a temporary or professional license. If needed, it will also provide you with a list of requirements you must meet before earning your certification. Once your fingerprints have been cleared and the Bureau of Educator Certification has received your district’s request and notification of the clearance, your certificate will be issued within 30 days.

In addition, to earn your professional certification you must complete a professional preparation and education program to complete the Mastery of Professional Preparation and Education Competence requirement. Luckily, FLDOE has alternative programs that can help you meet this competency requirement. After completing one of these programs and meeting the rest of the professional license requirements, you’ll be on your way to a Florida teaching career.

Florida is an active participant in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement.

Required Examinations

Passing the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) is another important step to becoming a teacher in Florida. There are both general knowledge and subject-specific FTCE tests. There are three tests that all Florida educators are expected to pass before earning their teacher certification exam. Once they receive your application they will notify you as to which certification exams you should take.

General Knowledge Test (GK): This FTCE serves as Florida’s basic skills exam. While all teacher candidates must take the GK, PEd, and SAE tests, the SAE test will vary depending on the certification you earn.
Professional Education Test (PEd): The PEd essentially tests your preparedness as a teacher in pedagogy and professional practices.
Subject Area Examinations (SAE): The SAE exam you should take to earn your certification will be more specific to the degree you earned and/or the teacher preparation program you completed. It will test your skill and knowledge level for teaching a specific grade and/or subject level.

Subject Area Examinations (SAE) by Grade Level

All teacher certifications in Florida qualify teachers to teach a specific subject and grade level. 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.

Early Childhood Education: To earn your early childhood education certification in Florida you should complete all of the steps mentioned at the beginning of this article, including the testing requirements. 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.
Elementary School (K-6): Elementary school teachers in Florida must pass the SAE in Elementary Education K-6 in addition to meeting the education requirements and clearing a background test. 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. You have the option to take all the sub-tests in one sitting or you can break down your testing session into as few as one sub-test per sitting. To pass a sub-test you must earn a score of 200 or higher.
Middle School (5-9): As a middle school teacher in Florida four subject area testing options are available for earning your certification, all qualify you to teach grades 5-9.
- English: There are testing two sections for the Middle Grades English SAE, a multiple-choice section and a writing section. The essay portion requires you to earn a score of eight or higher by demonstrating your ability to respond critically when analyzing a literary selection.
- General Science: To pass the Middle Grades General Science SAE exam you will take a 120-question multiple-choice exam and earn a score of 200 or higher.
- Mathematics: The Middle Grades Mathematics SAE will include 75 multiple-choice questions. To pass it, you must earn a score of 200 or higher.
- Social Science: Just like the other exams, you must earn a passing score of 200 or higher on the Middle Grades Social Science SAE to earn your certification.
Secondary School: Secondary school teachers in Florida have far more SAE testing options available to them than teachers at the other grade levels do. You will want to make sure that you take the SEA that corresponds to the certification you are seeking.
Physical Education (PE): PE teachers in Florida must meet all the requirements for earning a professional teaching license, including having a bachelor’s degree and completing the appropriate testing requirements. A PE teacher must pass the Physical Education K-12 SAE with a score of 200 or higher, in addition to passing the GK and PEd exams.
Special Education: Just like all other Florida educators, those seeking a teaching certification in special education must complete all requirements mentioned at the beginning of this article. In terms of testing, candidates should earn a score of 200 or higher on the Exceptional Student Education K-12 SAE.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL): The SAE exam that all candidates for ESOL must take is the ESOL K-12. You must earn a score of 200 of higher to earn this certification. In addition, you should complete all certification steps, including having a background check completed.
School Administrators: There are two certification options for school administrators - Level 1-Educational Leadership and Level 2-School Principal. As a candidate for either certification you will need to take the Florida Educational Leadership Exam (FELE). This exam is divided into three sub-tests: Leadership for Students Learning, Organizational Development and Systems Leadership. Additionally, Level 1 certifications require candidates to hold a master’s degree and verify completion of Florida Educational Leadership Core Curriculum. Level 2 candidates must meet the same requirements by holding and working with a Level 1 certification for one year.

Student Teaching Experience

Although student teaching is not a listed requirement, all teacher preparation programs require students to complete a student teaching experience. Student teaching can be extremely helpful for teacher candidates. It gives them the chance to gain hands-on experience prior to starting their teaching career. As a student teacher you will work with an established teacher in their classroom. You will observe how the teacher manages the classroom and delivers lessons.

Substitute Teaching

Florida allows each school district to determine its own rules and regulations for hiring substitute teachers. At a minimum, the state requires substitute teacher candidates to be 18 or older, hold a high school diploma, and pass a background check.

Job Opportunities

Many districts in Florida are currently experiencing a teacher shortage, so there are plenty of career opportunities available. Students who have completed all of the educational requirements and passed the relevant exams can apply for a teaching license from the state of Florida. Once in possession of a Florida state teaching license, teachers can begin applying for jobs.

Salary Expectations

Wondering 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. 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.

Professional Advancement

While teaching is a rewarding career, it can also offer several pathways for professional advancement. Teachers looking to take the next step in their careers should consider PBA’s Master’s in Educational Leadership. Earning an advanced degree in education can qualify students to take on senior roles in educational organizations, design policies, and interventions, or conduct research in education.

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