General Teacher Certification Information You Should Know!

The Florida Department of Education issues two types of certifications: 1) Temporary Certificates, and 2) Professional Certificates. The EPI program can assist candidates who already have a Temporary Certificate and are currently teaching in a Florida school and candidates who want their Professional Teaching Certificate before they seek employment.

Most individuals who do not have a degree in education need to do 5 things to become a "certified" teacher.

1. Complete any 4-year degree from a regionally accredited institution.
2. Pass the Subject Area Teacher Certification Exam for the subject/grade level you want to teach.
3. Pass the Professional Education Teacher Certification Exam.
4. Pass the General Knowledge Teacher Certification Exam.
5. Complete an Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) or state approved equivalent.

Getting Certified Before You Are Hired to Teach
Many candidates want to complete all state certification requirements before seeking employment as a teacher. The EPI program provides all the requirements of FLDOE for a professional teaching certificate. Individuals who hold a professional teaching certificate are more appealing candidates to principals who are hiring teachers.

Getting Hired and Then Completing Teacher Certification
Individuals who hold a temporary certificate and are currently teaching in a classroom have three years to complete all requirements for a permanent professional teaching certificate. The EPI program meets all the requirements of FLDOE to move from a temporary to a professional teaching certificate.

Visit http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/  to learn more about state certification requirements.

Only The Florida D.O.E. Bureau of Teacher Certification can tell you your unique requirements for teacher certification, as these vary based upon your college course transcripts.

Florida Teacher Certification Exams (FTCE)

The following links contain resources for individuals who are preparing for the Florida Teacher Certification Exams.

• http://www.Xamonline.com
• http://www.rea.com
• http://lessons-direct.net
• www.floridafastpacks.com