Frequently Asked Questions
Alternative Certification
All Florida school districts offer an alternative professional pedagogical (teaching) preparation program for newly hired educators. Admission into an alternative certification program is governed by each Florida school district.
For more detailed information regarding alternative certification, visit Alternative and Traditional Certification.
Application Process
To apply online (the quickest way to go!) click on the following link: apply online.
A complete application package is one that includes:
- a CG-10 Application Form with all sections filled out completely;
- payment in full of your processing fee ($75.00 for each subject you request);
- official transcript showing all degrees and credits; and
- if applicable, copies of the front and back of all teaching certificates you hold from U.S. states, territories, and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), with your social security number indicated on each page.
For more information, visit Steps to Certification.
Yes. However, it is extremely important that all of your documents (transcripts, checks, letters, certificates, etc.) include your social security number. If you do not have a social security number, include your current name and date of birth.
This information will help ensure the proper placement of each document in your file.
Only complete application packages are scheduled for evaluation. Applications are evaluated in date order based upon the date the application package is complete.
Please see our section entitled Applicants with Foreign Academic Training for a step by step explanation of how to document your education training.
If you have previously applied or held a Florida Educator Certificate you have been assigned a DOE number. Your DOE number is printed on your Florida Educator Certificate and may be printed on any official documents issued from our office. Your DOE number will also be displayed at the top of most screens within your account. If you do not currently have a DOE number, one will be assigned to you after you have successfully submitted an application, it will also be listed on the receipt that you can print out for your records at the end of the online application process.
SSN Statement: Collection of your social security number (SSN) is required pursuant to §1012.56, Florida Statutes, for the purpose of promoting the public policy of Florida relating to child support. Your SSN is used by the Department as a unique identifier for maintaining your certification and related personnel records as required under the same statute. Your SSN may be disclosed to the Department of Revenue, as authorized under §1012.21, Florida Statutes, as Florida’s agency for administration of the Title IV-D program of the federal Social Security Act for child support enforcement. Failure to provide your SSN to Educator Certification will prevent issuance of your Florida Educator’s Certificate.
You are paying for a professional certification specialist to evaluate your documents and determine if you are eligible for the subject(s) for which you applied.
The specialist also prepares an Official Statement of Status of Eligibility for each subject. Each statement is valid for three years from the day it is prepared and outlines all remaining requirements for a Temporary and Professional Certificate.
Your certificate will be issued during this three year period, IF
- your statement indicates that you are eligible for a certificate;
- you are employed as an educator in Florida; and
- we receive clearance of your fingerprints.
You are also paying for the ongoing professional support and information provided by our staff.
Certificates
To hold a three-year non-renewable Temporary Certificate meet the subject content and GPA requirements for a requested subject, obtain instructional employment in Florida, and obtain fingerprint clearance.
To hold a five-year renewable Professional Certificate the applicant must:
- demonstrate Mastery of General Knowledge;
- demonstrate Mastery of Subject Knowledge for a requested subject;
- demonstrate Mastery of Professional Preparation and Education Competence;
- obtain instructional employment in Florida; and
- obtain fingerprint clearance.
Not always. Many individuals qualify for the Professional Certificate through Reciprocity.
Employment
Fingerprints
Reciprocity
Testing
Your Official Statement of Status of Eligibility will outline any remaining test requirements. The Bureau of Educator Certification cannot determine which tests you will be required to take until you apply for certification.
Visit the Postsecondary Assessment webpage for more information about registration information (dates, times, places and fees), and study materials (guides, examination descriptions and complete lists of competencies and skills) for each test.
Transcripts
Submit all application documentation including official transcript(s), out of state certificates and any other documents pertaining to your certification file to the Bureau at the following address:
Florida Department of Education
Bureau of Educator Certification
Room 201, Turlington Building
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
*Please be sure to include the last four digits of your social security number, or your complete DOE # on all (paper) documents submitted to our office.
No. Only official transcripts will be evaluated.
No. Official transcripts may be submitted by you or the university.
No. We must have an official degreed transcript on file to process your application. Be sure to ask the registrar to send your transcript after your degree has been posted.
Sorry, we can not provide free evaluations. You must submit a complete application package for us to determine your eligibility for a Certificate.
Please see our section entitled Applicants with Foreign Academic Training for a step by step explanation of how to document your education training.