Your Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Florida Teacher in 2024
| by Kyle Freelander
The start of a new year offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect, reevaluate, and revamp your career. If you’re ready to make a positive difference in your life and the lives of others, becoming a teacher in Florida might be the perfect new career for you. Even better, taking action on a few simple steps can help you change your career and become a certified teacher in Florida in 2024.
There Are Perks to Teaching in Florida.
See why Florida is popular among aspiring and current teachers in our infographic.
The foundation for becoming a Florida teacher in 2024
Know the requirements for becoming a teacher in Florida
To become a certified teacher in Florida in 2024, you first need to understand the requirements for certification. The state requires teachers to hold a bachelor’s degree equal to that of an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S and submit an initial application for teacher certification to the Bureau of Educator Certification.
From there, you’ll receive an official Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE) that states your eligibility for certification and provides a customized list of requirements needed to secure full certification in Florida. In addition to other requirements outlined in your SOE, you’ll need to complete an educator preparation institute (EPI) program like Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW program, which can be completed in as little as nine months.
You’ll also likely need to complete educator certification examinations like the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE), fingerprint and background screening, and a completed certification application showing you completed the requirements outlined in your SOE.
Specific requirements for teacher certification in Florida can vary based on the type of certification and the grade level or subject area you intend to teach. To discuss the requirements from your SOE or discuss next steps in your teacher certification journey, schedule a free no-obligation conversation with a Moreland University admissions representative.
Download Moreland University’s “Guide to Teacher Certification in Florida”.
Attain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Like we mentioned in the prior section, Florida teaching certifications require a bachelor’s degree equal to that of an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. For those with an international degree, you’ll want to order an independent review prepared by a transcript evaluation agency to determine if your degree is equivalent to a U.S. four-year bachelor’s degree.
If you’re looking to become a certified teacher in Florida, you’ll need to have attained your bachelor’s degree — but that degree does not need to be in education or from an initial teacher preparation (ITP) program. It does, however, change your steps to teacher certification in Florida.
Below, we’ve detailed both paths to certification so you can chart your unique journey to becoming a Florida teacher this year.
Get the 8-step pocket guide to Florida teacher certification.
How to become a Florida teacher in 2024 if your Bachelor’s degree IS NOT in education
Becoming a teacher in Florida might seem like a lot of work, especially if your bachelor’s degree is not from a state-approved ITP program. But the reality is that you can get into the classroom and make a difference as a Florida teacher this year. Here are the key steps you need to know to become a Florida teacher in 2024:
- Determine your teacher eligibility in Florida with an official Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE)
To determine if you are eligible to teach in Florida at the grade level and subject area(s) you desire, you’ll need to send a complete application package to the Bureau of Educator Certification requesting a Florida certificate. For those interested in multiple subjects, it’s worth noting that there is a processing fee determined by each requested subject.
Once your application has been reviewed, you’ll receive an official Statement of Status of Eligibility (SOE) that’s valid for three years. This Official Statement lets you know if you are eligible for temporary certification in your requested subject area and provides you with a customized list of requirements to become fully certified as a teacher in Florida.
It’s important to note that your educator preparation institute (EPI) program start date cannot begin before you receive an Official SOE indicating you are eligible for the listed certification subject area and grade level.
My Official Statement of Status Eligibility states I’m eligible for certification. Now what?
If you’re found “eligible” for a certificate, you’ll need to complete the listed requirements before the expiration date to become fully certified. Those eligible for temporary certification can get into the classroom even sooner and gain real-world teaching experience while working on the requirements for full teacher certification in Florida.
My SOE found me “not eligible” for teacher certification in Florida. Now what?
If you’re found “not eligible” for a certificate, don’t panic. Your SOE will provide options for completing the necessary requirements for certification eligibility. When you’ve completed the steps for temporary certification (as outlined in your SOE), you’ll need to send documentation to the Bureau of Educator Certification.
From there, your application will be scheduled for reevaluation, and you’ll receive a revised SOE indicating you are eligible for a Florida certificate. Then you can seek employment in a Florida elementary or secondary school.
- Complete an educator preparation institute (EPI) program
If you don’t have a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree in education from a state-approved program that provides eligibility for teacher certification, you’ll need to complete a state-approved EPI program.
If your goal is to become a fully certified teacher in Florida by the end of 2024, you’ll want to take note of various program details. Program quality is an obvious factor, but you’ll also want to consider program start dates, flexibility, and costs if you hope to become a certified Florida teacher by the end of the year.
Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW online certification preparation program is an affordable, flexible, and proven EPI program option that can be completed in 9 months. And with the program’s monthly start dates and reasonable tuition, it’s [almost] unbelievably easy to complete your EPI program by the end of the year. Start even earlier and you’ll be able to finish your EPI program requirement while also having time to complete other requirements outlined in your SOE — helping you become a certified teacher in Florida in 2024.
- Pass the required educator certification examinations
To become a fully certified teacher in Florida, you’ll need to pass the required certification exams. These exams, called the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) or the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE), are conducted by the Bureau of Postsecondary Assessment.
If you’re looking to obtain your first teaching certification, you’ll likely need to pass the FTCE, which includes:
- The General Knowledge Test
- Subject area examinations (SAEs)
- The Professional Education Test (PET)
These exam requirements can differ depending on your desired grade level and subject area, so you’ll need to refer to your SOE to determine the exact tests you need to pass.
For those looking to take their educator certification exams in 2024 or who want to increase the likelihood of passing the required exams on the first go around, it’s worth factoring test preparation and testing outcomes into your EPI program decision.
At Moreland University, teachers are well-prepared for success in the classroom and on exams. That’s why an impressive 96% of Moreland University graduates pass their required exams on their first attempt.
- Complete fingerprint and background screening
You’ll need to comply with a fingerprint and background screening to become a teacher in Florida. These will be submitted to the FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to determine your eligibility for teacher certification. To help with planning, it’s worth noting the fee for this can be upward of $75.
Also, the process for submitting your fingerprints varies if you are employed by a public school or non-public school. Refer to the FLDOE website to determine which process is right for you.
- Apply for & obtain your Florida teaching license
As a final step to becoming a certified teacher in Florida, you’ll need to submit a completed application package through the online licensing service with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) or by mail.
Necessary application documents vary for each applicant, but you’ll likely need to submit your:
- Official transcripts (bachelor’s and EPI program)
- Official Statement of Eligibility (SOE)
- Proof of completion of an accepted EPI program
- Passing score on the appropriate FTCE
- Verification of lawful presence (such as a U.S. driver’s license or passport)
- FBI background check
- Completed application along with payment of non-refundable processing fees (~$75)
Within 30 days of the Bureau of Educator Certification receiving your cleared records from both the FBI and FDLE, you may be issued your teacher certificate. If you hope to become a certified teacher in Florida in 2024, you’ll want to reserve at least 30 days at the end of the year for this process.
How to become a Florida teacher in 2024 if your Bachelor’s degree IS in education
If you want to become a Florida teacher in 2024 and you have a bachelor’s degree in education from a state-approved initial teacher preparation (ITP) program, you are eligible for teacher certification. Simply complete steps 4 and 5 above.
Want to become a certified teacher in Florida? Moreland University can help you get there.
Learn more about becoming a certified teacher in Florida. Then, schedule a free no-obligation conversation with a Moreland University admissions representative to discover how Moreland University can help you become a successful certified teacher in Florida.
