How to Get a Temporary Teaching Certificate in Florida
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Florida educators need a bachelor’s degree and to participate in a teacher preparation program to qualify for a teaching license or certificate. But what about prospective teachers with a bachelor’s degree who have not completed an educator preparation program? Or students who are enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation program but have not earned a bachelor’s degree yet? These educators may qualify for a Florida temporary teaching certificate.
Florida faces teacher shortages in many areas. The temporary teaching certificate helps Florida staff its classrooms. Temporary certification also benefits educators since they can work while completing the requirements.
Read our guide to learn how to get a temporary teaching certificate in Florida.
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What Is a Temporary Teaching Certificate?
The temporary teaching certificate is one way the state of Florida is addressing its ongoing teacher shortage. The temporary certificate allows people with bachelor’s degrees who do not hold teaching licenses to qualify for teaching positions at Florida public schools. The certificate lasts five years and can qualify you to teach in one of about 35 fields.
To get a temporary certificate, you must have majored in the field of education, passed the Florida Subject Area Examination, hold certification with the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence, or completed required content area courses with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Once you hold a temporary certificate, you can begin working toward professional certification.
Florida Requirements for a Temporary Teaching Certificate
Having a temporary teaching certificate in Florida allows you to work at public schools while completing professional certification requirements. Florida offers multiple pathways to a temporary teaching certificate. For example, educators with a bachelor’s degree who pass Florida’s subject area examination qualify. So do those who majored in the content area they plan to teach.
Educators can qualify for the temporary certificate by meeting coursework requirements and achieving a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the content area. A certificate from the American Board for Certification of Teachers also fulfills the requirements.
Subject Area Knowledge
Florida measures subject area knowledge in several ways. Candidates meet temporary teaching certificate requirements with passing scores in subject area examinations, out-of-state teaching certificates, or board certification.
Most applicants show mastery through the state’s subject specialization requirement, which requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the subject.
Subject Specialization
When educators apply for a temporary teaching certificate, they list their subject area specialization. Florida temporary teaching certificate requirements include meeting any degree or course requirements for the subject area. Passing a Florida subject area examination or holding an out-of-state teaching license or board certification meets this requirement as well.
Subject Area Examinations
Florida temporary teaching certificate requirements include passing a subject area examination. Florida offers exams in 39 subject areas. Prospective teachers who do not pass the subject area examination can retake the test after 30 days. The Florida Teacher Certification Examinations website provides additional information.
Certificate Additions
Educators may add a subject or endorsement to their Florida temporary teaching certificate. After receiving a temporary certificate, educators submit an application package that shows completion of subject coverage or endorsement requirements. These typically include coursework and an examination in the additional area.
Teachers New to Florida
Teachers new to the state qualify to apply for a Florida temporary teaching certificate. Applicants without a valid teaching certificate issued in another state apply for a temporary teaching certificate in Florida. Those with a valid teaching license apply directly for a Florida professional certificate.
Step-by-Step Guide for Earning Your Certificate in Florida
Florida teachers begin the certification process by submitting an initial application. Whether applying for a professional certificate or a temporary teaching certificate in Florida, candidates must complete the following requirements. This section walks through each step to earn a teaching credential.
1. Complete Application Package
Prospective teachers must submit a complete application package. Florida requires a completed application form, official transcripts for every degree and college credit, and a processing fee. Applicants with a teaching certificate in another state submit a copy of their certificate.
Florida charges different fees depending on a candidate’s application. Receiving an initial certificate or upgrading from a temporary teaching certificate to a professional certificate costs $75. Adding subjects to an endorsement and renewing a certificate both cost an additional $75. Receiving a duplicate certificate, dropping a subject, or changing the name on the certificate costs $20.
2. Determine Eligibility
The Department of Education evaluates completed application packages to verify that candidates meet temporary teaching certificate requirements. Applicants then receive an Official Statement of Eligibility (SOE).
This statement remains valid for three years and lets educators complete the certification process. The statement lists the specific requirements applicants must meet to receive their teaching certificate, whether initially eligible or not.
3. Secure Employment in a School
With an SOE, educators qualify to apply for jobs at Florida schools. They cannot get a temporary teaching certificate in Florida unless they hold a job at a public school, with a few exceptions. Other schools with state-approved programs that meet professional education competence requirements also qualify.
Florida’s 67 public school districts hire candidates with SOEs. So do charter public schools, Florida virtual schools, and some private schools. After getting a job offer, candidates complete the certification process.
4. Submit Fingerprints
Educators must submit a fingerprint screening and background check to receive a temporary teaching certificate in Florida. Teachers employed in public schools, including charter public schools, complete the requirements through their district. If the fingerprint screen comes back clear, applicants receive a temporary certificate within 30 days. If the screen raises questions, the Professional Practices Services contacts educators to discuss their eligibility.
The state’s fingerprint processing instructions provide additional information on the screening process.
Resources for Teachers
Public, private, and nonprofit organizations in Florida and across the country help support classroom teachers through research, advocacy, activism, and resource creation. New teachers can join these organizations, sign up for their listservs, or use them to access free resources for classroom teaching and management.
- Florida Council for Exceptional Children: Florida’s chapter of the CEC supports teachers and administrators who serve the state’s exceptional children. Members can access instructional resources, savings on teaching tools, a career board, and professional liability insurance.
- Just For Teachers: An initiative of the Florida Department of Education, Just for Teachers is a listserv that offers updated information and resources for members. Members can also access discounts and a supply assistance program.
- National Association of State Directors of Special Education: NASDSE supports special education leaders in member states with affinity groups, training, publications, resources, and advocacy. This organization offers extensive resources for teachers.
- Florida Center for Reading Research: Part of Florida State University, the Center conducts and publishes research with the goal of helping all children learn to read and succeed in school. Teachers can use or recommend the resource database to learn more about teaching reading.
- Florida Education Association: Composed of 150,000 members, the FEA is Florida’s largest professional employees’ labor union. Members can attend FEA events and access special resources.
Questions About Temporary Florida Teaching Certificates
How long does it take to get a temporary teaching certificate in Florida?
It takes about 4-6 weeks to get a temporary teaching certificate in Florida. To qualify, you need to hold a bachelor’s degree, complete an application, hold employment with a Florida school, and demonstrate subject-area mastery. Florida’s temporary teaching certificate is valid for five years.
Do I need a certificate to teach in Florida?
To teach at a Florida public school, you must demonstrate mastery of professional preparation and education competence by holding a certificate with the state, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, or the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence. Experienced college teachers may also qualify. In some private schools, anyone with a bachelor’s degree may teach. However, other schools require a state license or certification with a private school organization such as the Association of Christian Schools International.
What is the fastest way to become a teacher in Florida?
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree but not an education major, then an alternative certification program is the fastest way to become a teacher in Florida. To get started, decide what you want to teach, secure employment with a Florida school district, and complete the application for a temporary teaching license.
If you do not yet hold a bachelor’s degree, the quickest way to become a teacher is to pursue a qualifying education degree from an accredited college or university.
Does Florida accept out-of-state teacher certification?
Yes, Florida accepts valid standard certificates issued by other states. Your state’s requirements for licensure must be comparable to Florida’s standards. Florida also accepts educators with certificates from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Can I get an extension on my temporary teaching certificate in Florida?
No, you cannot get back-to-back temporary teaching certificates in Florida. The state expects you to complete the requirements for your professional teaching certificate during your five years of temporary certification.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by Accredited Schools Online. Page last reviewed May 14, 2024.
