Secondary Education (Grades 6-12)

Initial Certification

To get certified to teach in the state of Florida, all teachers must go through the same process of two levels of certification: the temporary certificate and the professional certificate. The temporary certification is non renewable, and allows for teachers to teach while working toward the renewable professional certificate. When teaching at the secondary education level, or teaching high school, there are specific educational requirements, that include a specialization in a particular subject, that need to be fulfilled to get certified.

Temporary Certification Process (valid for three years)

1. Complete all application process requirements
2. Hold a bachelor’s degree that corresponds to four specific areas of teaching:
   1. English
      1. A bachelor's or higher degree with an undergraduate or graduate major in English or middle grades English
      2. A bachelor's or higher degree with 18 credit hours in English that includes the specified areas:
         1. Credit in English composition and grammar beyond freshman English
         2. Credit in speech or oral interpretation
         3. Fifteen credit hours in literature
   2. Science Areas
      1. Biology
         1. A bachelor's or higher degree with an undergraduate or graduate major in biology, or
         2. A bachelor's or higher degree with 30 credit hours in science, to include 21 credit hours in biological science with associated laboratory experiences, or
         3. A bachelor's or higher degree with specialization requirements completed for chemistry, earth-space science, or physics and 18 credit hours in biological science.
      2. Chemistry
         1. A bachelor's or higher degree with an undergraduate or graduate major in chemistry, or
         2. A bachelor's or higher degree with 30 credit hours in science, to include 21 credit hours in chemistry with associated laboratory experiences, or
         3. A bachelor's or higher degree with specialization requirements completed for biology, earth-space science, or physics and 18 credit hours in biological science.
      3. Earth-Space Sciences
         1. A bachelor's or higher degree with an undergraduate or graduate major in earth-space science or earth science, or
         2. A bachelor's or higher degree with 30 credit hours in science, to include 21 credit hours in earth-space science or earth science with associated laboratory experiences, or
         3. A bachelor's or higher degree with specialization requirements completed for biology, chemistry, or physics and 18 credit hours in biological science.
      4. Physics
         1. A bachelor's or higher degree with an undergraduate or graduate major in physics, or
         2. A bachelor's or higher degree with 30 credit hours in science, to include 21 credit hours in physics with associated laboratory experiences, or
         3. A bachelor's or higher degree with specialization requirements completed for biology, chemistry, or earth-space science and 18 credit hours in biological science.
   3. Mathematics
      1. A bachelor's or higher degree with an undergraduate or graduate major in mathematics or middle grades mathematics
      2. A bachelor's or higher degree with 30 credit hours in mathematics that includes credit in the specified areas
         1. Six credits in calculus,
         2. Credit in geometry,
         3. Credit in probability or statistics, and
         4. Credit in abstract or linear algebra.
      3. A bachelor's or higher degree with specialization requirements completed for physics and 21 credit hours in mathematics to that includes credit in the specified areas:
         1. Six credits in calculus,
         2. Credit in geometry,
         3. Credit in probability or statistics, and
         4. Credit in abstract or linear algebra.
   4. Social Sciences
      1. A bachelor's or higher degree with an undergraduate or graduate major in social science, middle grades social science or middle grades social studies
      2. A bachelor's or higher degree with 30 credit hours in social science or social studies that includes credit in the specified areas
         1. Six credit hours in United States history
         2. Courses in western civilization or European history
         3. Courses in Asian, African, Latin American, or Middle Eastern history
         4. Courses in economics
         5. Courses in United States federal government
         6. Courses in geography
         7. Courses in psychology and sociology
   5. Other areas – In addition to these core education areas, there are other areas that one can be certified to teach: drama, journalism, speech, art, coaching, computer science, dance, English for speakers of other languages, health, humanities, music, physical education, and reading and foreign languages. Each of these has educational requirements specific to the subject.
3. Demonstrate mastery of Subject Area Knowledge
   1. The Subject Area Knowledge tests are specific to individual subjects and are required, depending on what you want to teach. For preschool there are general tests where a teacher will have to show proficiency in a broad range of subjects.

Professional Certification Process (renewable after five years)

In addition to the requirements for temporary certification the following is required for a professional certificate:

1. Demonstrate mastery of General Knowledge by any one of the following:
   1. Achievement of a passing score on the Florida General Knowledge Test
   2. Achievement of a passing score on the Florida College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) earned prior to July 1, 2002
   3. A valid standard teaching certificate issued by a US state or territory
   4. A valid certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence
   5. Completion of two (2) semesters of full-time college teaching experience
2. Demonstrate mastery of Professional Preparation and Education Competence by any one of the following:
   1. Completion of a state-approved teacher preparation program from a Florida institution and achievement of a passing score on the Florida Professional Education Test
   2. Completion of a teacher preparation program from an out-of-state accredited or approved institution and achievement of a passing score on the Florida Professional Education Test
   3. Completion of a Florida state-approved alternative certification program and achievement of a passing score on the Florida Professional Education Test
   4. Completion of an approved Florida Educator Preparation Institute program and achievement of a passing score on the Florida Professional Education Test
   5. Completion of specified education courses, completion of teaching experience requirement, completion of an approved professional education competence demonstration program, and achievement of a passing score on the Florida Professional Education Test

The Florida Professional Certificate is issued after the individual's fingerprints have been cleared. The individual seeking employment in Florida will be assisted in completing the fingerprint process by his/her employer. The individual who is not seeking employment in Florida, or has an immediate need for issuance of the Professional Certificate can contact the Bureau of Educator Certification for assistance.