Becoming a Teacher In Florida

1. Do you have a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college/university? (Foreign transcripts must be evaluated on a course-by-course basis by an approved credential evaluation agency.  Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies

2. What do you want to teach? A list of subject areas can be found at:  http://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/certificate-subjects/

3. Take a subject area examination fl.nesinc.com. Most subjects require only a Bachelor’s degree and a passing score on the appropriate subject area examination to make you eligible for a Temporary Teaching Certificate in Florida.

4. After passing the subject area exam, apply online to the Florida Department of Education (DOE) for a teaching certificate (https://flcertify.fldoe.org/datamart/). Mail your official transcripts to the DOE.  (The DOE does not accept copies, e-mailed transcripts or uploaded copies of transcripts.) 

5. After the DOE reviews your transcripts, application and passing score, you will receive a Status of Statement of Eligibility letter stating you are eligible for a five-year non-renewable temporary certificate.

6. You are now eligible for a teaching position in the area listed on your DOE issued Statement of Eligibility letter.   

7. Look online at the Collier County Public Schools website for current vacancies https://www.applitrack.com/collier/onlineapp/default.aspx

8. After obtaining employment as a teacher, CCPS will submit your fingerprints to the DOE to have your official temporary certificate issued.

9.  You are eligible to teach while completing the requirements of the Temporary Certificate.

Other Pathways and Routes to Becoming a Teacher in Florida

• Career Changer or College Graduate of a Non-Education Program

• Out of State Certified Teacher or Administrator – Reciprocity

Graduate of a Teacher Education Program

• Florida graduate of approved teacher preparation program
• Florida education major or minor who have not completed state-approved teacher preparation program
• Out-of-State graduates of approved teacher education program
• Education Majors from countries other than the United States

Additional Information: 

• Adjunct Instructors in Public Schools

• Routes to a Florida Professional Certificate Chart 

• Understanding the Status of Statement of Eligibility