Florida Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
Alternative teacher preparation programs, also known as non-traditional programs, are designed for those who have a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to the award of a certificate or master’s degree. The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) oversees this process in the state. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional certification in Florida. If you do have a bachelor’s degree, read more below about how to switch careers and become a teacher in Florida through alternative certification.
Table of Contents
- Florida Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
All candidates for teacher licensure in Florida must have a bachelor’s degree and meet the state’s basic skills requirements. As in most states, alternative route candidates must pass the same exams as traditional route educators. Florida uses the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE), which are subject- and grade-specific tests.
Prospective Florida teachers must also complete a teacher preparation program. For those who already hold a bachelor’s degree, these programs can be completed in as little as one year. Earning a master’s degree in education or in an academic subject that includes an approved teacher preparation program can also prepare teachers in Florida for certification.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Florida
There are several paths to obtaining alternative teacher certification. Most prospective teachers will need to complete one of Florida’s state-approved educator preparation programs, which may be offered at a college or university or as an add-on program through select school districts.
Temporary Teaching Certification in Florida
If you completed a bachelor’s degree but didn’t complete an approved preparation program, you may be eligible for a Temporary Certificate while you complete certification requirements. Candidates must be employed in a Florida school and prove subject area knowledge by passing relevant exams or meeting subject specialization requirements. This certificate is valid for three years while completing the requirements for professional licensure.
Professional Learning Certification Program
Florida offers the Professional Learning Certification Program (PLCP) for alternative licensure, which makes use of technology and teacher mentorship to prepare non-educators who have subject-area expertise for classroom careers. To qualify for licensure via this route, prospective teachers must be employed by a Florida school district and achieve passing scores on the FTCE subject area exams, General Knowledge Test, and Professional Education Exam. Admitted candidates complete a teacher preparation program online and receive interactive tutoring and support from experienced professionals.
Military Veterans Certification Pathway
Military veterans and their spouses who have at least 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university can qualify for a Five-Year Temporary Certificate. This certificate allows candidates to begin teaching while working towards the qualifications for a standard Professional Certificate, including earning a bachelor’s degree. In addition to 60 college credit hours, candidates for this route must have at least 48 months of military service with an honorable discharge, have a 2.5 overall GPA or above, pass the Florida subject area exam for their desired content area, and have an employment offer from a Florida school district.
Testing Requirements for Florida Alternative Certification
All candidates for teacher certification in Florida must pass the same set of exams, known as the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE). These tests assess the candidate’s pedagogical knowledge and readiness to teach Florida’s public school students. The three exams are:
- Subject Area Exams, specific to the content area(s) in which the candidate desires to teach.*
- General Knowledge Test, which measures knowledge and skills in essay writing, the English language, reading, and mathematics.**
- Professional Education Exam, which measures pedagogical knowledge such as lesson planning and the selection of appropriate evaluation instruments.
Once all exams have been passed and all other requirements have been met, the candidate can qualify for the Professional Certificate.
*For a World Languages Certificate, candidates can use the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) or the Defense Language Proficiency Tests (DLPT) in place of the Subject Area Exams.
**The General Knowledge Test is not required if the candidate demonstrates at least two semesters of full-time college experience or has earned a master’s degree.
Transferring Teaching Licenses from Another State
To be eligible for teacher certification in Florida based on certification in another state, candidates must either hold a valid professional-level teaching certificate in another state or must have a current certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Teachers who meet this requirement and who have an employment offer from a Florida school may apply for a Temporary Certificate while completing the remaining requirements for Florida licensure, which include passing the FTCE. For more information, see our teaching license reciprocity resource.
Schools with Alternative and Master’s Programs in Florida
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the FLDOE for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broward College* | — | Alternative | 138 | 37 | N.Av. | $12,416 |
| Daytona State College* | — | Alternative | 33 | 8 | N.Av. | $7,906 |
| Doral College* | — | Alternative | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Eastern Florida State College | — | Alternative | — | — | — | $3,445 |
| Florida A&M University* | CAEP | Alternative | — | — | — | $12,903 |
| Florida Atlantic University* | CAEP | Alternative, Master’s | — | — | — | $11,451 |
| Florida Gateway College | — | Alternative | 43 | 25 | N.Av. | $2,930 |
| Florida Gulf Coast University* | CAEP | Alternative, Certificate | 40 | 18 | N.Av. | $10,151 |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | — | Alternative | 8 | — | — | $3,306 |
| Hillsborough Community College | — | Alternative | — | — | — | $4,387 |
| Indian River State College | — | Alternative | 26 | 2 | N.Av. | $3,878 |
| Miami Dade College | — | Alternative | 31 | 7 | N.Av. | $4,998 |
| Pasco Hernando State College* | — | Alternative | — | — | — | $5,419 |
| Polk State College* | — | Alternative | 168 | 97 | N.Av. | $8,573 |
| Rollins College | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $33,216 |
| Seminole State College | — | Alternative | — | — | — | $2,889 |
| St. Johns River State College | — | Alternative | 84 | 42 | — | $5,266 |
| St. Petersburg College* | — | Alternative, Certificate | 9 | 6 | — | $2,702 |
| State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota* | — | Alternative | — | — | — | $22,151 |
| University of Central Florida* | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $11,108 |
| University of Florida* | CAEP | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | 28 | 27 | — | $10,075 |
| University of Miami | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $31,726 |
| University of North Florida* | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $9,789 |
| University of South Florida | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $10,004 |
| University of West Florida | CAEP | Alternative | 445 | 365 | N.Av. | $8,452 |
| Valencia College | — | Alternative | — | — | — | $9,657 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
- *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.
- Seminole State College (9 months)
- Florida Atlantic University (10 months)
- Florida Gulf Coast University (10 months)
- State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (10 months)
- University of Florida (10 months)
- Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Certificate Pathways and Routes: Guidelines for all acceptable routes to certification in Florida.
- Florida Professional Development Certification Program: Official website for Florida’s competency-based alternative certification program.
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Florida Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- How to Become a Teacher in Jacksonville
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Florida based on the shortest possible time to completion. The shortest alternative certification programs are often the most affordable because they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
Additional Resources
Related Articles
References:
1. Florida State Department of Education: https://www.fldoe.org/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/