Exam Options

  • All FTCE testing is offered in a computer-based format and will be available at Pearson VUE professional testing centers.  Test centers are strategically located throughout the state and examinees will be able to sit for exams seven days a week with morning, afternoon, and evening availability.


    For additional information and registration, please go to: www.fl.nesinc.com or contact their customer service center at (413) 256-2893.  Representatives are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

    Note:  The Florida legislature expanded opportunities for military personnel, veterans and their spouses by providing the opportunity to request waivers of certification examination fees for active duty military personnel, honorably discharged veterans and their spouses or surviving spouses.  In addition, retired first responders (e.g., law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or paramedics) who are taking an exam for the first time may also request an exam fee waiver for the first attempt at an exam. 

    Educator candidates who are eligible to apply for the Military Certification Fees Waiver (MCFW) include:

    • Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces or reserve unit;
    • The spouses of active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces or reserve unit;
    • Veterans who were honorably discharged or retired from service as members of the U.S. Armed Forces or reserve units;
    • The spouses of veterans who were honorably discharged or retired from service as members of the U.S. Armed Forces or reserve units; or
    • The surviving spouses of veterans or service members who died while on active duty as members of the U.S. Armed Forces or reserve units.

    To complete a waiver request, the educator candidate is required to submit the waiver request via the Military Certification Fees Waiver site.

    Educator candidates who are eligible to apply for the retired First Responder Certification Fees Waiver include:  

    • Law enforcement officer;
    • Firefighter;
    • Emergency Medical Technician; or
    • Paramedic

    To complete a waiver request, the educator candidate is required to submit the waiver request via the Retired First Responder Certification Fees Waiver site.  

    Description of Tests

    Subject Area Examination (SAE) - These exams measure content area knowledge, usually in a multiple-choice format. On July 1, 2002, a statute was passed that allowed for teachers to establish eligibility for an initial Temporary Certificate by taking and passing bachelor-level subject area exams in lieu of taking college coursework. Certification subjects excluded are Guidance, Reading, Speech Language Impaired, Educational Leadership and School Psychologist. These areas also require coursework in addition to the subject area exam.

    If you were placed out-of-field, you can also take a bachelor's level area exam to meet your mandated training requirement. (Please review the study tips at the end of this section - you may find them helpful in preparing for future subject area exams.) Note that you must add the subject area to your Florida educator certificate to no longer be considered out-of-field.

    Professional Education (PED) - This multiple-choice test assesses general knowledge of five content bases: personal development, appropriate student behavior, planning instruction, implementing instruction, and evaluating instruction.

    General Knowledge Test (GK) - The GK is a basic skills achievement test containing four subtests: Math (multiple-choice items), Reading (multiple-choice, passage-based items), English Language Skills (multiple-choice items) and Essay.

    Options for satisfying the General Knowledge Exam requirement:

    Pass all subtests (Math, Reading, English, Essay) of the General Knowledge exam. This exam is currently offered through Pearson testing.

    If you have passed one or more subtests of the General Knowledge exam but have not passed all four subtests please note you must pass the remaining subtests in order to comply with state statute requirements. The General Knowledge exam is offered in a computer-based exam administration format. Registration, exam information, and study preparation can be found at: www.fl.nesinc.com.

    OR

    Pass all subtests (Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning) of the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). The exam is currently offered through Educational Testing Services. The date of the exam must be on or after July 1, 2015, and the exam must be the 2011 version titled "GRE General Test".

    Submit an original score report indicating the score(s) and test date(s) for each of the subtests completed to the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). Make certain to include your certificate number or FLDOE record number when submitting the score report. The GRE is offered in a computer-based exam administration format. Registration, exam information, and study preparation can be found through Educational Testing Service (ETS)Effective July 2016, ETS will no longer provide mailed copies of official score reports for the GRE. To obtain a score report access your "myGRE" account and print out a copy.

    OR

    Waive passage of the General Knowledge (GK) Exam if you have attempted and failed the GK exam and have achieved an overall evaluation rating of effective or highly effective for each of the last three years while holding a valid/unexpired Florida temporary certificate achieved AFTER the date on which you attempted the GK exam

    To utilize evaluations in lieu of passing the GK exam, you must:

      • Have attempted and failed one or more parts of the GK exam.
      • Email a request to certificationrequests@browardschools.com requesting verification be submitted to the FLDOE of your evaluations in lieu of the GK.  You must attach a copy of a score report reflecting an attempt and fail for the GK exam with a test date PRIOR to the three years of consecutive evauations where you achieved an overall rating of effective or highly effective.

    Additional methods for satisfying the General Knowledge requirement are:

    • A valid, standard certificate from another US state or territory
    • A valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate
    • A valid Passport to Teaching Certificate from ABCTE
    • A confered master's (or higher) degree from an accredited university (FLDOE must have received an official transcript for the degree)
    • Documentation of two full-time semesters, faculty position, college teaching experience 
      • Acceptable documentation of experience must be a letter on college/university letterhead from the registrar or dean of the accredited school verifying the following:

        (1) the dates of instructional employment

        (2) at least 2 semesters of full-time or equivalent part-time instructional experience*

        (3) the prefix, number, name and semester hour credits of the courses taught

        *for implementation of the statute only, a quarter term of teaching is equal to a semester term of teaching 

        Experience is acceptable, provided that:

        a. experience was earned in a full-time faculty position for at least two semesters, or in a part-time instructional position with the total experience equivalent to at least two semester of full time teaching and
        b. courses resulted in earned college level credit for the students in at least one course each semester

        The documentation must be sent directly to the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification for approval. 

    See chart below for all General Knowledge Exam options:

    picture of options for satisfying the general knowledge exam

    Options for satisfying the Professional Education (PEd) Exam requirement:

    Pass the Professional Education exam. This exam is currently offered through Pearson testing.

    OR

    Waive passage of the Professional Education (PEd) exam if you have successfully completed a Professional Education Competency (PEC) program (as documented by the your principal/administrator - you must reach out to your principal to verify this has been completed via submission by the principal of a State Competency Demonstration Checklist), completed the professional preparation courses (all courses required as listed on the teacher's Statement of Status of Eligibility - the letter issued to teachers when the teacher applied for a temporary certificate), and who have achieved an overall evaluation rating of effective or highly effective for three years while holding a valid (unexpired) Florida temporary certificate.

    To utilize evaluations in lieu of passing the PEd exam, you must:

      • Verify your principal has submitted a State Competency Demonstration Checklist for you.  Note that all schools have access to submitting the checklist through a database.
      • Verify that you have completed all professional preparation course requirements listed on your Statement of Status of Eligibility (if you did not retain a copy of your Statement, you must obtain a copy by accessing your file at the FLDOE - download from “Quick Links”, “Documents”. Documentation (e.g., official transcripts) indicating completion of the required coursework must be on file with the FLDOE. For issues with accessing your file, please contact FLCertify@fldoe.org
      • Email a request to certificationrequests@browardschools.com requesting verification be submitted to the FLDOE of your evaluations in lieu of the PEd.  You must include within the email the statement: “I have verified my principal has submitted the State Competency Demonstration Checklist, I have completed all course requirements listed on my Statement, and documentation of which has been submitted to the FLDOE”.

    Additional methods for satisfying the Professional Education Exam requirement are:

    • A valid, standard certificate from another US state or territory
    • A valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate
    • A valid Passport to Teaching Certificate from ABCTE
    • Completion of the district's Alternative Certification for Educators (ACE) program AND Highly Effective overall evaluation 

    See chart below for all Professional Education Exam options:

    picture of options for satisfying the professional education exam

    Options for satisfying the Subject Area Exam (SAE) requirement:

    Pass the subject area exam*

    *NOTE: Exams for select subject areas are separated into subtests and all subtests must be passed to be considered as having satisfied the subject area exam requirement. These exams are currently offered through Pearson testing.

    OR

    Waive passage of the Subject Area Exam (SAE) for educators who are on a temporary certificate, hold certification in a bachelor-level subject area (e.g., excludes the subjects of Educational Leadership, Reading K-12, School Counseling, School Psychologist, and Speech-Language Impaired), and who hold a conferred master’s or higher degree from an accredited university with a stated major which is the same as (not equivalent or similar too, the same as) a subject on their certificate. Review this chart to determine if your advanced degree major aligns with the subject area you are pursuing a professional certificate in.

    Additional methods for satisfying the subject area exam requirement are:

    • A valid, standard certificate from another US state or territory
    • A valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate
    • A valid Passport to Teaching Certificate from ABCTE

    See chart below for all Subject Area Exam options:

    picture of options for satisfying the subject area exam

Contact Information

  • Talent Acquisition & Operations - Instructional

    600 SE Third Avenue

    Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

    Phone: 754-321-2320

    Fax: 754-321-2717

    TTL: --

    Phone: --

    Susan Rockelman

    Director