How To Become A Teacher In Florida [2022 Guide] (2023)

To become a teacher in Florida, educators need a bachelor's degree and completion of a state-approved teacher-preparation program. Other steps include completing a criminal background check and passing examinations. These requirements ensure Florida's public school students learn from highly qualified educators. Private schools may use different hiring criteria.

The following article covers how to become a teacher in Florida. Sections answer frequently asked questions, introduce teacher-preparation programs, and present the latest hiring and economic data. The final section provides links to helpful outside resources for teaching in Florida. Please reach out to a state agency or accredited college to learn more about becoming a teacher in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions About Teaching in Florida


Can I teach in Florida without a teaching degree?

Some people become a teacher in Florida by earning a bachelor's in teaching. Others enter the career by earning a bachelor's in another subject and completing a teacher-preparation program.

How long does it take to get a teacher certification in Florida?

A typical bachelor's degree takes four years to complete. Teachers-in-training with a bachelor's in another subject need another 1-2 years to qualify for a professional teaching license.

Are teachers in demand in Florida?

As of March 2022, Florida's teacher shortage amounts to nearly 4,500 open positions in K-12 public schools. Many subjects, including English, need more highly qualified teachers.

Best Online Schools in Florida

Finding an Accredited Teaching Program

Individuals wanting to become a teacher in Florida must graduate from an accredited college. Accreditation agencies use U.S. Department of Education standards to evaluate the nation's colleges and universities. An accredited school offers the education it promises prospective students. Please do not apply to unaccredited schools. Their graduates may not qualify for jobs or graduate-level programs.

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Some learners working toward becoming a teacher in Florida earn an online or hybrid degree. Like all institutions, online colleges must hold accreditation. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) awards accreditation specific to online programs. DEAC-accredited schools provide online and on-campus students with the same educational experience and resources.

Some top teacher-preparation programs earn programmatic accreditation from a private agency. These agencies include the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP accredits hundreds of the nation's best bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs preparing students for a teaching license.

Florida Teaching Requirements

Teaching in Florida K-12 public schools requires holding a state-issued license. Recent college graduates qualify for professional licensure by completing a teacher-preparation program with a student teaching experience. Other requirements include passing a teacher competency exam and a subject-specific exam.

Florida lets workers with non-teaching bachelor's degrees enter the profession with temporary licenses. The state gives these teachers three years to complete a teacher-preparation program and apply for a professional license. Requirements include a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA and an examination. Temporary and professional licensure candidates submit paperwork online.

Florida's licensure process varies from other states. Licensure candidates do not receive their temporary or professional license until they accept a job offer. Teaching in Florida also requires that all new employees submit to a criminal background check. This requirement applies to all schools, including private ones.

Florida Teacher License

Floridians meet the state's licensure requirements by completing four steps. As of March 2022, teaching in Florida requires an application and fingerprints. Candidates who pass a criminal background check then begin their job hunt. Educators receive their temporary or professional license after accepting a job offer. Please check the state board website for the latest information.

  1. 1

    Fill Out the Application

    The official application requires aspiring teachers to provide their personal and educational histories. Candidates must reveal any criminal record and submit official undergraduate or graduate transcripts. Teachers with a license from another state include a copy of their license. As of March 2022, Florida charges a $75 processing fee. Educators renewing their license pay the same fee.

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  2. 2

    Receive an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE)

    Florida issues an SOE to all licensure candidates who submit a complete application. Candidates with a positive SOE may begin a job hunt. If the state finds someone ineligible, the SOE explains why and offers advice on fixing issues. These individuals reapply by submitting new documents and paying an additional fee.

  3. 3

    Find Employment

    Florida features public, charter public, virtual, and private schools. The state's government website provides contact information for the 67 public school districts. These districts post open positions on their human resources websites. Other options include researching private job boards and reaching out to potential employers.

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  4. 4

    Provide Fingerprints

    Licensure candidates with a job offer submit fingerprints for the state to run a criminal background check. The process varies slightly for individuals planning on teaching in Florida private schools. Criminal convictions that disqualify someone from becoming a teacher in Florida include sexual misconduct, arson, and robbery. Those who pass the background check receive their temporary or professional license within 30 days.

Continuing Education Requirements in Florida

Teaching in Florida requires that educators take professional development (PD) classes throughout the school year and summer. Florida requires PD so that educators may create engaging lessons and teach learners valuable life lessons. The state approves a PD catalog by evaluating classes' professional learning standards.

A professional teaching license lasts five years. Teachers must earn 100 inservice points in that time. The state requires a college class in each of a teacher's licensed subject areas. Educators also take one undergraduate or graduate class in teaching students with disabilities. Teachers must earn a minimum C grade for college classes to count toward PD.

Teachers earn the remainder of their inservice points by taking PD from approved providers. The state lets licensed educators take some classes 100% online. Please check a provider's status with the state board before signing up for a class.

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Florida Teacher Reciprocity Agreements

The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement lets teachers transfer their license between some U.S. states and Canadian provinces. This agreement helps relocating teachers resume their career as soon as possible. As a NASDTEC member state, Florida accepts out-of-state licenses if they compare to its professional license.

Out-of-state teachers must hold an active license in a subject Florida public schools teach. The state does not accept expired or revoked licenses. These educators follow the same licensure process as Floridians applying for a first-time temporary or professional license.

Additional Teacher Certifications

Florida teachers increase their employability by adding certifications to their license. More certifications let them apply to more jobs, a benefit in a competitive job market. This advantage also helps students. Teachers with many areas of expertise create more engaging lessons and offer academic help on multiple subjects.

As of March 2022, Florida awards certifications in a dozen content areas, including science, world languages, and exceptional student education. Certification in autism spectrum disorders requires a bachelor's in special education with 12 credits in autism diagnosis and education. Aspiring world language educators need 30 credits of undergraduate instruction in the language they want to teach.

Florida does not offer certifications in all subjects. Since 2011, the state has repealed certifications in journalism, speech, and teacher coordinator of cooperative education. As a result, out-of-state educators cannot transfer these certifications.

Florida Teacher Outlook

The average Florida K-12 public school teacher earned approximately $51,170 in the 2020-2021 school year. Salaries in the state's public school districts ranged from $40,380-$61,640. In March 2022, the state government announced additional funding for teacher salaries in the 2022-2023 academic year. Florida has yet to announce specific figures.

In the 2021-2022 school year, Florida's schools needed more teacher applicants specializing in science and English. Nearly a quarter of open positions relate to special or exceptional student education. The state's plan to solve this problem involves awarding new teachers a $1,000 signing bonus.

Top 5 Most In-Demand Subject Areas for Florida Teachers 2021-22

  1. Science-General
  2. English
  3. Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
  4. Science-Physical
  5. Reading

Source: Identification of Critical Teacher Shortage Areas for 2021-22

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Resources for Teachers

FCRR provides Florida English and language arts teachers with a resource database containing podcasts, videos, and lesson materials. In-depth guides cover reading strategies for learners with a disability, such as dyslexia.New and experienced educators use Teacher Created Materials to find lessons and activities aligned with state standards. Affordable teaching materials include readers in multiple subject areas. Each features colorful photographs and graphics to grab students' attention.UFLI offers literacy teachers many free resources, such as lesson structure guides, instructional activities, and tech tools and tips. Other documents cover classroom management fundamentals and behavior modification techniques.The website helps recent graduates navigate their first year in the classroom. Resource links lead to an online study community, teaching job resources, and a news center. Teachers of Tomorrow also offers answers to frequently asked questions.FDACS helps Florida's K-12 science teachers create engaging lessons with free digital books on the state's plants, animals, and coastal areas. Many of these resources feature classroom activities aligning with state standards.

FAQs

How do I pass the Florida teacher certification exam? ›

To pass the GK exam, you'll need a scaled score of at least 200 on each of the three multiple-choice subtests (English Language Skills, Reading, and Mathematics) and at least 8 out of 12 points on the essay subtest. For more information about how your exam will be scored, check out our article on FTCE scores.

How many questions are on the Florida teacher certification exam? ›

Test Information Guides for each SAE are available on Pearson's FTCE website. The Professional Education Test is related to knowledge about professional education competencies. This 120-question multiple choice test is built on the Florida Educators Accomplished Practices (FEAPs).

What are the steps to becoming a teacher in Florida? ›

To become a teacher in Florida, educators need a bachelor's degree and completion of a state-approved teacher-preparation program. Other steps include completing a criminal background check and passing examinations. These requirements ensure Florida's public school students learn from highly qualified educators.

How do I become a teacher The Complete Guide? ›

The Bottom Line
  1. Complete your bachelor's degree.
  2. Complete student teaching (usually as your last semester of college)
  3. Pass the exam(s) required by your state.
  4. Obtain any required clearances, such as fingerprints or child abuse clearance.
  5. Apply for your certificate in the state you wish to teach.

Is Florida teacher certification test hard? ›

In particular, the FTCE General Knowledge test is hard due to its multiple subtests. While other exams, like the FTCE Professional Education Test or any of the FTCE Subject Area Exam, likely consist of only one section, the General Knowledge exam requires candidates to prepare for four different content areas.

How hard is the Florida teacher certification exam? ›

The FTCE K-6, like most FTCE exams, can be challenging. The FTCE pass rates in 2020 ranged from 51-64% depending on the subtest. While this may sound scary, the right study tools and strategies will greatly increase your chances of passing this exam. In addition to being challenging, the K-6 exam is long.

How many times can you take the FTCE exam? ›

How many times can you take the FTCE? You are able to take the FTCE as many times as you need. In other words, there is no limit set for the number of times that you take each of the tests. However, if you want to retake the exam, you must wait 31 days before they can retake it.

What is the easiest FTCE exam? ›

FTCE Passing Scores and Pass Rate

On the other hand, the two least difficult test subjects are the General Knowledge sub-level Reading Test, and Engineering and Technology Education 6-12 test, with passing raw scores of 75% or higher.

What happens if you fail the FTCE? ›

If you fail an FTCE exam you must wait 31 calendar days to retake the exam. You cannot schedule a new exam attempt while your test results are pending, only after the official FTCE scores are released.

Can I teach in Florida without a teaching certificate? ›

Do I need a certificate to teach in Florida? Yes, educators wanting to work in Florida public schools need a teaching certificate. Many charter schools and private schools also require teacher certification.

How long does it take to get a Florida teaching certificate? ›

Once your file is complete, it will take approximately 90 business days to receive your Official Statement of Status of Eligibility, depending on the time of year. ➢ Hold a valid Statement of Status of Eligibility, which reflects no deficiencies in subject area requirements.

What is a starting teacher salary in Florida? ›

As of Mar 6, 2023, the average annual pay for an Entry Level Teacher in Florida is $25,718 a year.

What are 3 steps in becoming a teacher? ›

Here are the general steps (in most states) to get a teaching certification or license: Obtain a relevant bachelor's degree. Complete a district- or state-approved teacher preparation program. Pass required exams in the school district and/or state (like the Praxis).

How hard is it to become a teacher? ›

Depending on the route you take, becoming a teacher can require years of study before you can qualify. However, once you have qualified, you'll be embarking on a lifelong career in which you'll be making a lasting difference to thousands of children.

Are FTCE exams still free? ›

Planning Your FTCE Test Registration

For the FTCE General Knowledge Test, the testing fee is $130 for your first attempt and $150 for any subsequent attempts. It costs the same, no matter how many subject areas you intend to complete, so for most test-takers, it makes sense to attempt all four subtests in one sitting.

What test do Florida teachers take? ›

About the FTCE. The purpose of the Florida Teacher Certification examinations (FTCE) is to ensure that all teacher candidates demonstrate the necessary content and pedagogical knowledge necessary to effectively instruct students in Florida.

What is the hardest certification exam? ›

Here's the list of the top toughest exams in the world: Gaokao Exam - China. IIT JEE Exam (Joint Entrance Exam - Indian Institute of Technology) - India. UPSC Exam (Union Public Service Commission) - India.

How many questions does the Florida Knowledge exam have? ›

To obtain a learner's license, customers must pass the Class E Knowledge Exam. The Class E Knowledge Exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions about Florida traffic laws, safe driving practices and identifying traffic controls. To pass, a customer must answer 40 out of 50 questions correctly, or score 80 percent.

Is the Florida Knowledge test hard? ›

The Permit Test is not easy — we recommend you focus your studying on all the rules and regulations. The road signs are almost all common sense so spend a little time on the Road Signs and then focus on rules and regulations.

How do you pass the general knowledge reading test? ›

GKT Reading
  1. Familiarize yourself with the GKT Reading test structure.
  2. Assess your level of readiness.
  3. Develop individualized study and test plans.
  4. Practice essential Reading subtest competencies and skills— Key Ideas and Details Based on Text Selections. ...
  5. Learn to interpret your GKT Reading score reports.
Mar 28, 2019

How many questions can I get wrong on the FTCE professional education test? ›

The Professional Education test has approximately 120 multiple-choice questions. You need to get 71% of the answers correct to earn a scaled score of 200. Assuming there are exactly 120 questions, you'll need at least 85 correct answers to pass the assessment.

How long is the FTCE good for? ›

FTCE scores will be available in a candidate's official testing account for 5 years if they have taken the test after January 2018; prior test results may require a duplicate score report to be requested. The scores for any and all tests and subtests that have been taken within the last 5 years will be available.

How long does it take to get FTCE results? ›

All FTCE and FELE scores will be released within 4 weeks of the test date.

What is the pass rate for the FTCE test? ›

The FELE Professional Exam has a similar overall pass rate of 69% but all of the sub-tests included have individual pass rates between 64% and 75%. So, many test takers have the most difficulty with the FTCE General Knowledge Test due to both the initial difficulty and the persistent retake difficulty.

What kind of math is on FTCE General Knowledge test? ›

What kind of math is on the FTCE GKT test? The questions on the FTCE General Knowledge Math exam cover Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Geometry. The Geometry questions are very basic, but some of the Algebra is a little more advanced. For example, Inequalities and Linear Equations feature prominently on the test.

How long is the FTCE math test? ›

The math test lasts 100 minutes and has 45 questions, all of which are multiple-choice. The FTCE General Knowledge Math Test does not provide a list of all the formulas that the test-taker needs for the test.

What is the new Florida teacher law? ›

— Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced an unprecedented legislative proposal to create a Teacher's Bill of Rights that empowers educators to be leaders in their classrooms, enact paycheck protection, reduce terms for school board members from twelve to eight years, and invest another $1 billion in teacher pay.

Can I get a Florida teaching certificate online? ›

You Can Become Certified to Teach This Year

Florida Teachers of Tomorrow offers rolling admission, so you can get started at any time and begin your online training. Our online teacher certification program consists of self-paced training, so you can start teaching as soon as you're ready.

How much is a teachers salary in Florida? ›

How much does a Public School Teacher make in Florida? The average Public School Teacher salary in Florida is $53,370 as of February 27, 2023, but the range typically falls between $44,570 and $65,084.

How to become a teacher with a bachelor's degree not in education in Florida? ›

For those who hold bachelor's degrees in a subject other than education, completion of the Florida Professional Development Certification Program and a passing score on the Florida Professional Education Test may also be sufficient to obtain teaching certification.

Is there a shortage of teachers in Florida? ›

Florida's public schools continue to deal with a shortage of teachers. Vacancies have doubled in the Sunshine State over the last two years, and it's estimated more than 100,000 students do not have a full-time teacher.

Do teachers get paid during the summer in Florida? ›

No, technically, teachers do not get paid in the summer if they are not actively teaching. However, most teachers have the option to spread their pay for ten months of work over an entire 12 month period.

How to get a letter of eligibility for teaching in Florida? ›

To determine official eligibility, a complete application package must be submitted to the Florida Department of Education (DOE), Bureau of Educator Certification, for evaluation. Once credentials have been evaluated, a Florida Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE) is mailed to the applicant.

What part of Florida pays teachers the most? ›

For these 10 counties, Sarasota County teachers make $61,640 on average. Polk County teachers, make $46,151 on average. Sarasota County's teachers are also the highest paid educators in the state, on average.
...
Which Tampa Bay teachers make the most money?
CountyPolk
Average Salary$46,151
Number of Teachers Employed6,609
Average Years of Experience9.6
9 more columns
Jun 4, 2021

Do teachers with masters get paid more in Florida? ›

While teachers with a bachelor's degree and minimal experience earn a base salary of $39,670, Florida teacher salary can increase to $59,050 for educators with a master's degree and 20+ years of experience. Variable districts, subjects, and shortage areas also affect Florida teacher salaries.

How much a teacher makes in Florida Weekly? ›

How much does a Teacher make in Florida? As of Mar 6, 2023, the average annual pay for a Teacher in Florida is $24,174 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $11.62 an hour. This is the equivalent of $464/week or $2,014/month.

What should I study to become a teacher? ›

In addition to their undergraduate and graduate degrees in their subject of choice, teachers in the country must also complete a B. Ed. Students wanting to specialise and teach at higher levels can also obtain an M. Ed.

What qualifications do you need to be a teacher? ›

What are the minimum entry requirements?
  • degree: you need a degree for all postgraduate teacher training programmes. ...
  • GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C / Grade 4.
  • GCSE Science at Grade C / Grade 4 applies only to those wanting to teach Primary or Key Stage 3.

How hard is first year of teaching? ›

The first year of teaching is the hardest. While being an educator is never without its struggles, the first year is by far the most challenging — pieced together with idealism, confusion, good intentions, excitement, fear, and expectations.

Why is being a new teacher hard? ›

It's so hard because you're being asked to push your heart and mind and body in ways you never have. You're making thousands of decisions each day, and there are big parts of you that know you don't know what you're doing.

How fast can you become a teacher? ›

How Fast Can You Become a Teacher? Becoming a teacher usually takes between four and five years. It is possible, however, to become certified to teach in only four years. This is accomplished by completing an accelerated program which completes the credentialing process within the four-year bachelor's degree.

Is 40 too old to become a teacher? ›

Wherever you are in your journey to becoming a teacher, don't let your age be a factor. Students and schools need all kinds of teachers. Your experience will most likely be an asset: part of what makes your teaching and your classroom uniquely valuable to your school community. In short, it's never too late to teach!

What is the hardest thing about becoming a teacher? ›

Many said they struggle with the emotional burden of teaching children going through difficulties at home. Other issues include having parents berate them for their child's bad grades, and constantly needing to teach to a standardized test.

Is the FTCE professional education test hard? ›

The answer is yes. The FTCE does cover a lot of information and is challenging. You will need to review the information from your teacher prep courses and study materials to prepare. Information on each exam can be found on the FTCE website.

How hard is the teaching exam? ›

And newly released data reveal that over half of aspiring elementary teachers initially fail one of the most common tests. Fifty-four percent of those who take the Praxis test on elementary-level content fail on their first try. Twenty-five percent never manage to pass.

How long is the FTCE valid for? ›

FTCE scores will be available in a candidate's official testing account for 5 years if they have taken the test after January 2018; prior test results may require a duplicate score report to be requested. The scores for any and all tests and subtests that have been taken within the last 5 years will be available.

What is the most difficult license exam? ›

The California Bar Exam is notorious for being the most difficult bar exam in the United States.

What test do I need to take to teach in Florida? ›

About the FTCE. The purpose of the Florida Teacher Certification examinations (FTCE) is to ensure that all teacher candidates demonstrate the necessary content and pedagogical knowledge necessary to effectively instruct students in Florida.

How long is Florida teacher certification? ›

The Bureau of Educator Certification will not begin to process your application until all the above items have been received. Once your file is complete, it will take approximately 90 business days to receive your Official Statement of Status of Eligibility, depending on the time of year.

What grade is hardest teaching? ›

Standardized Testing May Cause Grades 3 and Up to Be the Hardest Elementary Grades to Teach. Many educators argue that the hardest elementary grade to teach is one with standardized testing pressures.

What is the most difficult in teaching? ›

10 Challenges Of Teaching & How To Overcome Them
  1. Understanding the different learning challenges amongst students. ...
  2. Student family problems & bullying. ...
  3. Lack of funding. ...
  4. Lack of effective communication. ...
  5. Being encouraging and motivating under challenging times. ...
  6. Disciplining students. ...
  7. Endless paperwork & extended working hours.

What is the passing rate for teachers? ›

Average 40% passed teachers' licensure exams from 2010 to 2022, PBEd study shows. Less than half or an average 40% of those who took the licensure examination for professional teachers (LET) have passed the exams over the past 12 years, a study by the advocacy group Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) found.

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